A lot has happened in the world, to say the least, between 2020 and 2021 Southcentral Conference matchups between the girls teams from Anchorage Christian Schools and Nikiski.
The Lions topped the Bulldogs on March 14, 2020, for the conference title. The two teams meet again in the first round of the tournament tonight at 6 p.m. at Nikiski High School.
At the time ACS and Nikiski tipped off last year, the world was rapidly shutting down due to the coronavirus.
March 13, Gov. Mike Dunleavy had announced the suspension of classes and other activities at public schools. Dunleavy also issued health mandates limiting visitation to Alaska Pioneer Homes.
March 14, the Alaska School Activities Association announced the cancellation of the basketball and cheerleading state tournaments.
The pandemic would go on to cancel all spring sports. ASAA also would not hold football, volleyball and swimming state tournaments this school year.
As the 2021 Southcentral Conference tournament prepares to tip off with two automatic state berths available to girls and boys, coaches are aware of the big picture.
“From where we were in November and December not even knowing if we would have a season, I’m so very happy with what our athletic directors and what our schools put together,” Kenai Central boys coach Ken Felchle said. “The 16-game season was incredibly competitive.
“I’d also like to thank Soldotna. They were not in our division, but they were part of that as well.”
Starting Jan. 21 and ending Saturday, Kenai Peninsula schools Homer, Seward, Nikiski, Kenai and Soldotna hammered through a schedule where they each played each other four times, with a few a few exceptions. None of the games between peninsula teams had to be canceled due to the coronavirus.
“I think we scheduled all of those games with the idea that some of them probably wouldn’t happen,” Al Plan, Seward boys coach and athletic director, said. “For us to get a 16-game season, plus this tournament, plus potentially a state tournament is pretty exciting for basketball in general.”
The season meant very little practice time for coaches between games. It also meant playing the same teams over and over.
“More than anything, I’m excited and the girls are excited to see an unfamiliar team,” Kenai girls head coach Jeff Swick said. “As much fun as we had playing the season — it gave coaches a chance to try different things and try different strategies — everyone is excited to see someone new.”
There was almost no meetings between peninsula teams and teams from the Northern Division of the conference. The exception were games between Nikiski and Houston.
“I think that’s going to make it kind of fun,” Homer girls head coach Chad Felice said of the conference tournament. “You don’t know a lot about the team you’re playing, so I’m not doing a whole lot of game prep stuff.”
The third-team place teams at the Southcentral tournament will have a chance to go to state with an at-large berth. The lack of competition across the state makes it impossible to determine the at-large berth based on overall records.
Instead, Plan said ASAA will draw a conference name from the hat. Each conference gets the number of teams in the conference minus the number of automatic berths the conference receives. Plan said it looks like the Southcentral Conference will get six out of 11 chances, but that could be adjusted if areas of the state decide not to travel to the state tournament.
Plan also said this is the last year for the current configuration of the Southcentral Conference. ACS, which swept the titles last year, will move up to Class 4A. Houston and Redington will move to the Southeast Conference. That will leave the four peninsula teams and Grace Christian in a conference that receives two automatic berths.
The following is a closer look at today’s first-round games. The girls tournament takes place at Nikiski High School, while the boys tourney takes place at Kenai Central High School.
As has been the case all season, spectators are limited to a preapproved guest list. Masks are required for coaches, players and spectators. Games will be streamed on the Kenai Central athletics and Nikiski Middle-High School Facebook pages.
Homer girls vs. Houston, noon
The Mariners are the top seed out of the south, while the Hawks are No. 4 from the north. Homer is 9-7 overall, 9-3 in league.
With the ACS girls seen as a dominant force, Felice said his team’s goal was to get the No. 1 seed and not have the beat the Lions to get a state berth.
“Defense is what we’ve tried to hang our hat on,” Felice said. “We try to get stops and make things difficult for our opponents, and turn defense into offense.”
Felice said senior Hannah Hatfield has been a rock for the Mariners handling the ball and on defense, while Laura Inama also has been great on defense.
Kenai Central girls vs. Grace, 2 p.m.
The Kardinals are No. 3 from the south, while the Grizzlies are No. 2 from the north. Kenai is 5-11 overall, 5-7 in the league.
Swick said his team has been at its best when everybody is contributing. The Soldotna girls swept the peninsula this year, but Kenai actually had the lead in the fourth quarter on the Stars in a game.
“As a team, we have a hard time making sure everybody contributes, or having everyone believe they can contribute,” Swick said. “I’ve got the belief everyone can contribute and score points.”
Swick said he likes the low post combination of Erin Koziczkowski and Emma Beck. Logan Satathite has handled the ball and hit outside shots, but Swick said he is most proud of her defense. The coach also said young players are stepping up, such as sophomore Malerie Nunn taking a starting spot for the tournament.
Seward girls vs. Redington, 4 p.m.
After struggling for wins the last couple of years, the Seahawks surged to take the No. 2 seed from the south this season. Redington is No. 3 from the north. The Seahawks are 6-10 overall, 6-6 in the league.
Seward coach Curtis Berry said defense and rebounding have been key for his team. Saturday, the Seahawks topped the Mariners 29-12.
The coach also said his team’s attitude has been excellent.
“The week before we started practice, we didn’t know if there’d be a season,” Berry said. “I’m really grateful the kids even got to play. They decided to make the most of it and have a great time, and that philosophy has really paid off.”
Shelby Sieminski has three or four double-doubles for the Seahawks, while Sieminski, Katelyn Lemme and Anevay Ambrosiani have all done great with rebounding. Lena Jagielski does a good job taking care of the ball, while Hannah Schilling has provided more and more scoring as the season has gone on.
Nikiski girls vs. ACS, 6 p.m.
The Bulldogs, No. 4 from the south, take on the Lions, No. 1 from the north. Nikiski is 5-10 overall, 4-8 in the league.
Nikiski head coach Rustin Hitchcock II said his guess is the Lions are the best team in the state.
“One of the coolest ways to frame it is the loser of this game doesn’t go to state,” Hitchcock II said. “Anyone can beat anyone. If we’re the team preventing them from going to state, that’d be cool.”
Hitchcock II said ACS has an incredible press and players like Kinlee Jeffreys, Bailey Epperheimer and Shylea Sutton will have to stand up to that press. The coach also said Epperheimer and Savanna Stock are the life of the defense.
The Bulldogs will not have senior Lillian Carstens due to injury. Hitchcock II is hoping to get her a few minutes later in the tourney.
“I could not speak higher of an individual than Lillian Carstens,” Hitchcock II said. “It’s just her attitude. All the underclassmen flock to her. She’s not only a very awesome basketball talent, but she’s a person with a commitment to others. She has a very bright future ahead of her.”
Nikiski boys vs. Grace, noon
The Bulldogs are fourth from the south, while Grace is the top team from the north. Nikiski is 1-16 overall, 0-12 in the conference.
“We’re upset-minded,” Nikiski boys head coach Reid Kornstad said. “We’ve been in some close games, and we’ve been competitive for stretches nearly every time we’ve played.
“The guys have been getting better and better each time they step on the floor. They’re doing the things I ask them to do. I look forward to a really competitive tournament top to bottom.”
Kornstad said Grace will be well-coached. The Nikiski coach said his team must handle pressure and take advantage of their overall size.
The coach added the team will feed off the emotional leadership of senior Caileb Payne.
Seward boys vs. Houston, 2 p.m.
The Seahawks are No. 2 in the south, while the Hawks are No. 3 in the north. Seward finished 10-6 overall, 8-4 in the league.
Plan said he expects a great tournament with a lot of close games. The Seward coach said Houston looks to be a team that can shoot and run the floor, but doesn’t have a ton of size. That description also fits the Seahawks.
“I think it’ll be a game where both teams get up and down the floor and get a lot of shot volume,” Plan said. “I’m hoping we have a lot of shot makes.”
Plan said he plays six players and all will be important. The six are seniors Collin Mullaly, Sam Koster, Trey Ingalls, Max Pfeiffenberger and Levi Deboard. Junior Tommy Cronin joins the mix.
Homer boys vs. Redington, 4 p.m.
The Mariners are the top seed from the south, while Redington came in fourth in the north. Homer is 13-3 overall and 9-3 in the league.
Felchle said Homer has some incredible guards in Eyoab Knapp and Clayton Beachy. The Kenai coach said another thing that stands out about the Mariners is they have seniors who have played a long time together.
Beachy and Knapp are seniors, as are Parker Lowney and Josiah Raymond.
Felchle said more strengths for Homer are balanced scoring and depth.
“I think Homer, Seward and us all have a good chance,” Felchle said, adding that Nikiski also is formidable when it goes on hot stretches. “Any of our teams are good enough to beat Grace or ACS, but it’s got to be a team effort. We’ve got to do things right, play good defense and the offense has to be clicking.”
Kenai boys vs. ACS, 6 p.m.
The Kardinals are No. 3 from the south, while the Lions are No. 2 from the north. Kenai finished 11-5 overall, 7-5 in the league.
Felchle said the Lions are always athletic and press, so handling that press will be key to the game.
The Kenai coach said his team is at its best when it limits penetration and is hitting its 3-point shots.
“All three of us live and die at the 3-point line a little too much,” Felchle said of Homer, Seward and Kenai.
The coach said it will take a team effort to advance to state. Kenai only plays seven, but has had as many as five in double figures in a game this season.
Jordan Kvasnikoff is the leading scorer, while Lucas Tunseth is important for rebounds and Maison Dunham is the floor leader. Jacob Kvasnikoff, James Baisden, Bridger Beck and Keegan Medina also must contribute.
Southcentral Conference boys
at Kenai Central High School
Thursday’s games
Game 1 — Nikiski vs. Grace, noon
Game 2 — Seward vs. Houston, 2 p.m.
Game 3 — Homer vs. Redington, 4 p.m.
Game 4 — Kenai vs. ACS, 6 p.m.
Friday’s games
Game 5 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon
Game 6 — Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m.
Game 7 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Seventh place — Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 10 a.m.
Fourth place — Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, noon
Third place — Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 3 p.m.
Championship — Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 5 p.m.
Southcentral Conference girls
at Nikiski High School
Thursday’s games
Game 1 — Homer vs. Houston, noon
Game 2 — Kenai vs. Grace, 2 p.m.
Game 3 — Seward vs. Redington, 4 p.m.
Game 4 — Nikiski vs. ACS, 6 p.m.
Friday’s games
Game 5 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon
Game 6 — Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m.
Game 7 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Seventh place — Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 10 a.m.
Fourth place — Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, noon
Third place — Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 3 p.m.
Championship — Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 5 p.m.
