The prep basketball season opened Thursday with area teams playing at the Craig Jung Kenai River Challenge at Kenai Central, the Cook Inlet Academy Classic at Cook Inlet Academy and the Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic at Wasilla.

Craig Jung Kenai River Challenge

The Soldotna boys, Palmer boys, Soldotna girls and Kenai Central girls all collected wins on the first day.

The Soldotna boys notched a 48-38 victory over Seward.

Izaiah Gilbert had 15 points for the Stars, while Damari Adams had 9, Theo Huff had 5, Sam Strouse and Easton Hawkins had 4, Jayden Stuyvesant, Josh Babcock and Bryan Berg had 3, and Liam Peck had 2.

For Seward, Talon Lemme had 8, Noah Price and Van Shank had 6, Emerson Cross had 5, Jack Lindquist and Lane Peterson had 4, Hunter Price had 2 and Mason Elhard had 1.

The Palmer boys collected a 70-60 victory over Kenai.

Logan Johnson pumped in 16 points for the Moose, while Logan Rolston had 14, Maddox Moore had 13 and Lukas Owen had 10. Also for Palmer, Nolan Garner had 9, Truman Dean had 6 and Corbin Gerkin had 2.

Caleb Litke paced the Kardinals with 23 points, while Miles Metteer had 11, Reid Titus and Mason Tunseth had 9, Carter Felchle had 6 and Ben Harris had 2.

The Soldotna girls used a strong fourth quarter to topple Seward 38-31 as Rustin Hitchcock won in his debut as SoHi head coach.

For the Stars, Hope Hillyer led the way with 11 points. Anika Jedlicka and Laurel Johnson had 7, while Anaulie Sedivy had 6, Grayson Henry had 5 and Cassidy Kruse had 2.

For Seward, Ava Jagielski had 13, Addison Lemme had 5, Mikinley Williams had 4, Lia Shank had 3, and Natalie Sieminski and Grace Fleming each had 2.

The Kenai girls notched a 35-32 victory over Palmer in the first game for new Kards head coach Jake Songer.

The Kardinals trailed 11-8 at the half after going scoreless in the second quarter, but erupted for 17 points in the third quarter to take a 25-22 lead. Kenai then held that lead for the fourth quarter, with a potential tying 3-pointer bounding off the back of the rim for the Moose as time expired.

For the Kardinals, freshman Bryleigh Williams had 14, scoring six in the first quarter before notching eight in the second half.

Also for Kenai, Ellsi Miller had 8, all in that pivotal third quarter. Also for the Kards, Willow Graham had 5, Evelyn Cooper had 3, McKenzie Spence and Sierra Hershberger had 2, and Gracee Every had 1.

For Palmer, Presley Wright and Addy Wilson had 8, Jasmine Hephner had 7, Mariah Bothwell had 4, Loren Nichols had 3 and Kaylyn Miller had 2.

Friday, the Seward girls play Palmer at 3 p.m., the Seward boys play Palmer at 4:30 p.m., the Kenai girls play Soldotna at 6 p.m. and the Kenai boys play Soldotna at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, the Palmer girls play Soldotna at 11:30 a.m., the Palmer boys play Soldotna at 1 p.m., the Kenai girls play Seward at 2:30 p.m. and the Kenai boys play Seward at 4 p.m.

CIA Classic

In a battle of Class 1A state qualifiers from last season, the Shaktoolik boys defeated Cook Inlet Academy 73-65 on Thursday in the opening day of the Cook Inlet Academy Classic.

Shaktoolik tied for ninth at state, while the Eagles were fourth.

For Shaktoolik, Seth Paniptchuk had 27, Ryan Evan had 20, Chase Katchatag had 12, Devin Rock had 8 and Bryce Patterson had 2.

For the CIA, Ian McGarry had 24, Zach Armstrong had 15, Alek McGarry had 11, Brandt Rollman had 8, Lucas Oyoumick had 4 and Matthew Phillips had 2.

The Cook Inlet Academy girls defeated CIA JV 60-10.

For CIA, Ella Rollman had 18, Maria Smith had 14, Sophie Rozak had 9, Clara Warren had 8, Kristi Stoll had 6 and Beka Dillingham had 5.

For CIA JV, Isabella Porsi had 4, Brandi Harkleroad had 4 and Emma Semmens had 2.

The Ninilchik girls notched a 33-28 victory over Birchwood Christian.

Caelis Cross paced the Wolverines with 13 points, while Lucy Reynolds had 12. Also for Ninilchik, Kate Hendryx had 4, while Rylee Lemon and Willow Hunt each had 2.

Elise Becker pumped in 12 for Birchwood Christian. Also for the Warriors, Peyton Smith and Svea Worland had 6, while Aliana Towarak and Able West each had 2.

The Ninilchik boys rolled to a 70-29 victory over Birchwood Christian.

Kade McCorison led the way with 29 points, while Andon McCorison had 13. Also for the Wolverines, Onyx Allen had 7, Miles Tresser and Max Russell had 6, Nate Jaworski had 3, and Eric Radar and Holdon Cameron had 2.

Friday at the Classic, the Birchwood girls play CIA JV at 2 p.m., the Shaktoolik boys play Birchwood at 3:45 p.m., the Ninilchik girls play CIA at 5:30 p.m., and the Ninilchik boys play CIA at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, the Ninilchik girls play SoHi JV at 10 a.m., the Ninilchik boys play Shaktoolik at 11:45 a.m., the CIA girls play Birchwood at 1:30 p.m., and the CIA boys play Birchwood at 3:15 p.m.

Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic

The Nikiski girls basketball team opened its season with a 70-16 loss to defending Class 4A state champ Wasilla, which also is the tournament host.

For the Bulldogs, Kailey Stynsberg had 10 points, while Avery Ellis had 6.

For the Warriors, Layla Hays had 19, Mylee Anderson had 19, Mielee Merhant had 11, Savannah Kroon had 10, Katie Jackson had 4, Kinley Lynch had 3, and Kyndra Boling and Claire Bredberg each had 2.

Friday, Nikiski plays Bartlett at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nikiski plays North Pole at noon.

Kenai Central’s Evelyn Cooper keeps the ball away from Palmer’s Mariah Bothwell on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Palmer’s Loren Nichols dribbles against Kenai Central’s Sierra Hershberger on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)