WASILLA — Whatever they tried to do, the Wasilla Warriors simply couldn’t shake Kenai. Despite trailing throughout, the Kards hung around and nearly stung the Warriors.
Kenai’s Connor Felchle hit a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 43. But Wasilla senior Reilly Devine knocked down a long baseline jumper to provide the go-ahead bucket and help the Warriors escape with a 47-43 win over the Kards on Saturday afternoon at Wasilla High School.
“Many teams and many coaches would probably pull that last shot out, but the limited good looks we were getting in the second gave me the intuition to take the first great look we get and trust the defense,” Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen said after the win. “There is not a person in the gym that knows Reilly Devine and didn’t think that was going to go in.”
Devine hit three jumpers in the second half, each coming on the possession following a Kenai basket.
Following Devine’s go-ahead shot, fellow senior Aeron Milliron created a turnover near midcourt, chased down the loose ball and got to the bucket to give the Warriors a four-point lead during the final seconds.
“Milliron made a huge aggressive play to seal the deal,” Engebretsen said.
Engebretsen also praised the work of seniors Caden Dudley and Jordan Knight.
“Dudley stepped up and made great plays on a few terrific passes and of course Jordan stepped up and had some great penetration into their gaps on the baseline to help us get the win,” Engebretsen said.
Wasilla, which led 19-14 at halftime, had only five total field goals in the first half. But the Warriors continued to attack the basket throughout, and finished 19 of 28 at the free-throw line. Engebretsen said after struggling offensively, especially early, the Warriors made adjustments.
“The guys adjusted and tried to find as many opportunities either in the paint or at the charity stripe,” Engebretsen said.
After Luke Beiser tied the game at 2 during the first minute of the first quarter, Wasilla led until Felchle hit the 3 that tied the game at 43. The Warriors held the lead, but were never able to extend the advantage beyond three possessions. Kenai hit big shots, particularly in the second half. But Wasilla continued to have the answer.
Beiser scored eight of his team-high in the fourth. Felchle hit a trio of 3-pointers in the second half. Preben Strende also had two big 3s in the second half.
The win over Kenai capped a long week for the Warriors. The stretch included NLC victories over Palmer, Soldotna and Kenai, and a nonconference win over Ketchikan. Saturday marked Wasilla’s seventh game in 10 days.
“Overall, it was a good week, getting three conference wins and a quality win over a good Ketchikan ” Engebretsen said.
Wasilla girls 59, Kenai 27
The Warriors forced 32 Kenai turnovers, and didn’t allow a Kardinals field goal until the 4:35 mark of the second quarter. Kenai was held to 9 of 28 shooting.
Olivia Davies scored all 18 of her points in the first half to help Wasilla build a 36-11 halftime lead. Azlynn Brandenburg also scored 18 for the Warriors in the win.
Brooke Satathite led Kenai with 10.
Colony boys 60, Soldotna 47
Will Freeman drained five three-pointers to help Colony grab a 60-47 boys’ basketball victory over visiting Soldotna Saturday at Colony High School. Freeman scored a game-high 23 points in the win.
Sullivan Menard also hit a pair of threes and added 19.
Sam McElroy led SoHi with 14. Jersey Truesdell added 10 for the Stars.
In girls action, Colony edged Soldotna 37-35.
Nikiski girls 59, Grace 31
The visiting Bulldogs picked up a Southcentral Conference victory Saturday.
Bethany Carstens poured in 31 points for the Bulldogs, who also got seven from Rylee Jackson, six apiece from Emma Wik and Kaitlyn Johnson, four from Lillian Carstens, three from America Jeffreys and two from Kaycee Bostic.
Grace boys 56, Nikiski 33
The host Grizzlies rolled to a Southcentral Conference victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday.
After a scoreless first quarter where Nikiski led 11-4, Tobin Karlberg had 32 points in the final three quarters to lead his team to victory. Jace Kornstad had 14 points for Nikiski.
Ninilchik girls 26, CIA 13
The visiting Wolverines came out on top of a Peninsula Conference defensive struggle Saturday.
DeeAnn White had 12 points for the Wolverines, while Adara Warren had 10 for CIA.
Ninilchik boys 65, CIA 16
The visiting Wolverines cruised past the Eagles on Saturday. For Ninilchik, Jake Clark had 20 points, Garrett Koch had 14 and Tristan White had 13. For CIA, Isaac Johnson had 11.
Seward girls 48, Homer 42
The host Seahawks picked up a Southcentral Conference victory over the Mariners on Saturday.
Homer led 6-5 after one quarter, but Seward grabbed a 21-17 lead at halftime. Homer came back for a 31-28 advantage after the third quarter before Seward controlled the final eight minutes to the tune of 20-11.
Ashley Jackson poured in 24 points for Seward, while Coral Petrosius had 16. For Homer, Alissa Cole had 16 points.
Homer boys 41, Seward 30
The visiting Mariners turned up the defense to take a Southcentral Conference victory Saturday.
For Homer, which held Seward to 11 points in the second half, Jordan Beachy led the way, pocketing 23 points, including six 3-pointers. For Seward, Zen Petrosius had 15 points.
Nikolaevsk Warrior Rumble
The Nenana girls and Nunamiut boys wrapped up tournament titles Saturday in Nikolaevsk.
The Lynx girls finished off a 3-0 run through the tournament with a 57-28 victory over Lumen Christi. Nellie Stone, Julie Frankson and Melissa Nickoli each had 11 points for Nenana, while Nyadeng Puoy, the tournament MVP, had 10 for Lumen. Maeve Bakic added 12. Lumen finished 1-2 in the tournament and won a tiebreaker for second place.
The Nunamiut boys finished 3-0 and wrapped up the title with a 54-38 victory over Nikolaevsk, which finished 1-2. Jacob Ahgook had 22 points, hitting four of Nunamiut’s nine 3-pointers. Chase Nay added 11.
For Nikolaevsk, Kalenik Molodih had 15 points.
The Nikolaevsk girls finished 1-2 at the tournament after defeating Nunamiut 47-40 on Saturday. The Warriors won the second quarter 20-9 to take a 30-20 lead into halftime and were able to make that hold up. Markiana Yakunin had 18 points for Nikolaevsk, while Elizabeth Fefelov pitched in 13.
Dorothy Sitichinli had 10 points for Nunamiut.
Finally at the tournament, the Nenana boys topped Lumen Christi 59-50, although Lumen Christi still won the tiebreaker to finish second at 1-2.
Tony Oktollik had 25 points for Nenana, while Al Lane added 18 points. For Lumen, Andrew Bennett had 31 points, while Lam Puoy added 13 points.
Nikolaevsk Warrior Rumble
BOYS
MVP: Dyrell Lincoln, Nunamiut
Sportsmanship: Nikolaevsk
Free throw: Dyrell Lincoln, Nunamiut
3-points: Joshua Snow, Nenana
All-tournament: Jacob Ahgook, Nunamiut; Justice Nukpiguk, Nunamiut; Andrew Bennett, Lumen; Tony Oktollik, Nenanan; Kalenik Molodih, Nikolaevsk; Dyrell Lincoln, Nunamiut; Lam Puoy, Lumen; Michael Trail, Nikolaevsk; Sage Stanish, Nikolaevsk; Al Lane, Nenana.
GIRLS
MVP: Nyadeng Puoy, Lumen
Sportsmanship: Nunamiut
Free throw: Kristin Klaich, Nikolaevsk
3-points: Jodie Kain, Nikolaevsk
All-tournament: Melissa Nickoli, Nenana; Nyadeng Puoy, Lumen; Aquinnah Tremblay, Nenana; Abi Fry, Nunamiut; Elizabeth Fefelov, Nikolaevsk; Maeve Bakic, Lumen; Julie Frankson, Nenana; Nellie Stone, Nenana; Markiana Yakunin, Nikolaevsk; Kately Delarosa, Nenana.
Saturday boys
Nunamiut 54, Warriors 38
Nunamiut 15 16 17 6 — 54
Nikolaevsk 10 14 2 12 — 38
NUNAMIUT (54) — Ahgook 9 0-0 22, Gordon 0 0-0 0, Mekiana 1 1-2 4, Nay 4 2-2 11, Lincoln 2 0-0 5, Sheldon 1 0-0 3, Jo. Nukapigak 0 0-0 0, Ju. Nukapigak 3 0-0 9, Toopetlook 0 0-0 0. Totals — 20 3-4 54.
NIKOLAEVSK (38) — Boquecosa 1 0-0 2, Molodih 6 1-3 15, Fefelov 0 0-0 0, Stanish 3 0-0 8, Yakunin 1 0-0 2, Kalugin 0 0-0 0, Jackson 0 0-0 0, Nikitenko 0 0-0 0, Z. Trail 3 2-2 8, M. Trail 1 1-2 3. Totals — 15 4-7 38.
3-point goals — Nunamiut 9 (Ahgook 4, Mekiana, Nay, Lincoln, Sheldon, Ju. Nukapigak); Nikolaevsk 4 (Molodih 2, Stanish 2). Team fouls — Nunamiut 10, Nikolaevsk 5. Fouled out — none.
Grizzlies 56, Bulldogs 33
Nikiski 11 7 7 8 — 33
Grace 4 15 22 15 — 56
NIKISKI (33) — Johnson 4 0-0 8, Weathers 1 0-0 3, Ellis 0 0-0 0, Kornstad 5 0-0 14, T. Litke 0 0-0 0, Handley 1 2-2 4, N. Litke 1 0-0 2, DeSiena 0 0-0 0, Eiter 1 0-0 2. Totals — 13 2-2 33.
GRACE CHRISTIAN (56) — Ivanoff 4 0-0 8, Kopp 0 0-0 0, Goforth 1 0-0 3, Ji. McGovern 3 0-0 6, Jo. McGovern 0 0-0 0, Karlberg 11 6-8 32, Harriman 0 1-2 1, Edi 3 0-0 6, Beck 0 0-0 0. Totals — 22 7-10 56.
3-point goals — Nikiski 5 (Kornstad 4, Weathers); Grace 5 (Karlberg 4, Goforth). Team fouls — Nikiski 7, Grace 6. Fouled out — none.
Mariners 41, Seahawks 30
Homer 12 8 15 6 — 41
Seward 8 11 6 5 — 30
HOMER (41) — Rohr 3 0-0 7, Etzwiler 1 0-0 3, Adkins 0 0-0 0, Reutov 0 0-0 0, Carrol 4 0-2 8, Beachy 8 1-2 23, McGhee 0 0-0 0. Totals — 16 1-4 41.
SEWARD (30) — Kester 0 0-0 0, S. Estes 0 0-0 0, C. Estes 1 2-6 4, Ingalls 0 0-0 0, Spanos 3 0-0 7, Pfeiffenberger 1 0-0 2, Jarvis 1 0-0 2, Petrosius 6 3-6 15. Totals — 12 5-12 30.
3-point goals — Homer 8 (Beachy 6, Rohr, Etzwiler); Seward 1 (Spanos). Team fouls — Homer 13, Seward 9. Fouled out — none.
Warriors 47, Kardinals 43
Kenai 5-9-10-19—43
Wasilla 9-10-9-19—47
Kenai (43) — R. Riddell 0 2-2 2, Felchle 3 0-0 3, Tuttle 1 0-0 2, Beiser 6 2-2 15, Goodman 1 1-2 3, Strende 4 1-2 12; Totals: 15 6-8 43.
Wasilla (47) — Knight 3 5-8 11, Houck 1 1-2 3, Headdings 1 4-6 6, R. Devine 3 2-2 8, Million 4 7-10 15, L. Devine 2 0-0 4; 14 19-28 47.
3-point field goals: Kenai 7 (Felchle 3, Strende 3), Wasilla 0; Team fouls: Kenai 18, Wasilla 9.
Knights 60, Stars 47
Colony 12-18-17-13—60
Soldotna 6-12-11-18—47
Soldotna (47) — Truesdell 3 2-5 10, Trammell 2 0-0 6, Spence 1 6-6- 9, Crowder 2 0-0 4, Tuisaula 2 0-0 4, McElroy 6 2-2 14; Totals: 16 10-13-47.
Colony (60) — McMahon 2 1-1 5, Freeman 8 2-2 23, Menard 4 9-10 19, Spencer 1 3-4 5, Wright 0 2-2 2, Villastrigo 1 0-0 2, Hersrud 1 0-0 2, Baker 1 0-0 2; Totals: 18 17-20 60.
3-point field goals: Soldotna 5 (Truesdell, Trammell 2), Colony 7 (Freeman 5); Team fouls: Soldotna 18, Colony 13.
Saturday girls
Warriors 47, Nunamiut 40
Nunamiut 11 9 14 6 — 40
Nikolaevsk 10 20 10 7 — 47
NUNAMIUT (40) — Gallager 4 0-0 9, A. Fry 4 1-1 9, C. Fry 3 0-0 7, Sitichinli 4 0-2 10, Madros 0 0-0 0, Mekiana 1 2-3 4, Tikluk 0 1-2 1. Totals — 16 4-8 40.
NIKOLAEVSK (47) — K. Klaich 4 1-2 9, Z. Fefelov 1 0-0 2, Kain 0 0-0 0, Yakunin 4 8-13 18, Mametieff 1 1-3 3, J. Fefelov 1 0-1 2, Hickman 0 0-0 0, E. Fefelov 6 1-4 13. Totals — 17 11-23 47.
3-point goals — Nunamiut 4 (Sitichinli 2, Gallager, C. Fry); Nikolaevsk 2 (Yakunin 2). Team fouls — Nunamiut 18, Nikolaevsk 11. Fouled out — Sitichinli, Mekiana.
Seahawks 48, Mariners 42
Homer 6 11 14 11 — 42
Seward 5 16 7 20 — 48
HOMER (42) — Bales 0 0-0 0, A. Godfrey 2 5-7 9, Bishop 0 0-0 0, G. Godfrey 0 1-2 1, Doughty 2 0-0 4, Todd 3 0-0 7, Carroll 0 1-3 1, Veldstra 2 0-0 4, Cole 4 8-10 16, Box 0 0-0 0. Totals — 13 15-22 42.
SEWARD (48) — Dow 0 0-0 0, Sawyer-Lemme 0 0-0 0, Terry 0 0-0 0, Von Borstel 1 1-3 3, Sieverts 2 0-0 4, Jackson 5 13-21 24, Sullivan 0 1-2 1, Petrosius 6 4-8 16. Totals — 14 19-36 48.
3-point goals — Homer 1 (Todd); Seward 1 (Jackson). Team fouls — Homer 28, Seward 20. Fouled out — Veldstra, Von Borstel.
Wolverines 26, Eagles 13
Ninilchik 5 14 4 3 — 26
CIA 0 2 7 4 — 13
NINILCHIK (26) — Delgado 3 0-2 7, Jasper 0 0-0 0, Robuck 0 0-0 0, Koch 3 0-2 6, White 5 1-2 12, Cooper 0 1-2 1. Totals — 11 2-8 26.
COOK INLET ACADEMY (13) — Delon 0 0-0 0, Hyatt 0 0-0 0, Cragg 0 0-0 0, Cizek 1 1-4 3, Hammond 0 0-0 0, Warren 3 4-4 10. Totals — 4 5-8 13.
3-point goals — Ninilchik 2 (Delgado, White). Team fouls — Ninilchik 10, CIA 8. Fouled out — none.
Warriors 59, Kardinals 27
Kenai 2-9-6-10—27
Wasilla 20-16-12-11—59
Kenai (27) — Maw 1 0-0 2, Hanson 1 1-2 3, Paxton 0 4-4 4, Carrasco 3 0-0 6, Satathite 3 4-8 10, Streiff 1 0-2 2; Totals: 9 9-16 27.
Wasilla (59) — Brandenburg 6 5-6 18, Davies 7 2-2 18, Vasquez 3 0-0 6, Hodges 1 0-0 2, Obremski 3 0-0 7, T. Anderson 0 1-2 1, Greeen 3 00 7, Horton 1 0-0 2, Cox 1 0-2 2, Titus 1 0-0 2; Totals: 26 8-16 65.
3-point field goals: Kenai 0, Wasilla 5 (Davies 2); Team fouls: Kenai 13, Wasilla 12.
