Tok, Alaska
Fourteen teams are competing in Tok, Alaska for two spots at State. Follow all the action at the 2011 Central Interior Conference Tournament at AlaskanAthlete.com.
For play by play coverage of the entire 2011 Susitna Valley Invitational Tournament, you should go to AlaskanAthlete.com. Kandace Carroll and the 2010 1A State 2nd place Fort Yukon Lady Eagles tip off their 2010 title defense at the 2011 Susitna Valley Invitational Tournament against the Lumen Christi Arch Angels.
For play by play coverage of the entire 2011 Nenana Invitational Tournament, you may go to AlaskanAthlete.com. The 2010 1A State Champion Girls team, the Port Lions Kings tip off the tourney against the 3rd place 2A Northway Warriors.
-
2010 Cook Inlet Classic
TALKEETNAfamous has 10 practices in, and is ready to play! But TKAfamous has stretched the floor and become AlaskanAthlete. Play along, glad you’re in.
Kandace Carroll and the Fort Yukon Eagles square off against Katie Strong and the Port Lions Kings. The Kings have a young, but very talented squad. In yesterday’s win over the defending champion Alak Huskies, freshman Marquee Strong put up 29 points. The Kings used balanced scoring in their 56-21 opening round win over Russian Mission. Junior Cierra Robustellini led all scorers with 13 points, junior Katie Strong added 12, Marquee Strong provided 10, and freshman Raisa Boskofsky chipped in with 9 points. The Fort Yukon Eagles, on the other hand, are led by a dominant scorer. Kandace Carroll scored 45 points in the Eagles’ opening round win over the Tuluksak Wolverines, and then added 29 points in the Eagles’ second round, 44-36 victory over the Kwethluk Kings.
Port Lions and Fort Yukon go after a State Championship in the Girls 1A Championship Game.
Player Introductions:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
First Quarter:
Second Quarter:
Third Quarter:
Fourth Quarter:
Both the Viking Warriors and the Eagles had their State Championship hopes dashed last night. Point Hope got hot from the outside in the third quarter and stayed hot until the end to beat the Viking Warriors 65-50. Andrew Talerico paced the Viking Warriors’ efforts with 19 points, following a 23 point effort in the first round. Forest Shreeve led the Viking Warriors with 7 rebounds, and contributed 11 points. Ryan Scholten led the team in assists with 5, and added 9 points. The Viking Warriors built an 11 point first half lead with their aggressive defensive style, and a combination of outside shooting from Andrew Talerico, back door cuts, and strong rebounding. However, the Point Hope Harpooners were able to trim the lead to 6 by halftime. A third quarter injury to Sean Mckenzie was a significant factor in the Viking Warriors’ undoing. The Viking Warriors started to lose their rebounding advantage, and a couple of extended possessions allowed Adam Sage and Ebrulik Frankson to get hot. Frankson and Sage led the Harpooners with 24 and 23 points respectively.
Cook Inlet lost a hard fought defensive effort to Klawock, 35-30. The Eagles had a 22-18 lead a couple minutes into the third quarter, but struggled to score the rest of the way. Sophomore David Rieschach led the Eagles’ scoring effort with 12 points, and Stephan Reischach added 9. Two strong team teams battle for third place at the 2A State Championship tournament.
The Tri-Valley Viking Warriors need two wins to secure a 2A State Championship, but tonight won’t be easy. Andrew Talerico sparked the Viking Warriors’ attack with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and his usual tenacious defense in last night’s 58-44 win over the Hydaburg Warriors. Player of the game Ryan Scholten made life difficult for Hydaburg’s lead scorer Cayden Carle. Tyler Berg gave the Viking Warriors 12 key minutes of relief for Sean Mckenzie and Forest Shreeve. The Viking Warriors are in the Semi-Finals. The Point Hope Harpooners sailed through their first round win over Ninilchik. They’re both one win away from The Ship.
Starting Lineups:
It’s the first day of the 1A and 2A State Championship basketball tournament at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska. Earlier today the Cook Inlet Academy boys team advanced to the second round with a win over Noatak. Now Amie Smithwick, Kelsie Lief and Tiffany Smith try to lead the Lady Eagles to a victory over the Tikigaq Harpooners from Point Hope. The Harpooners are led by Michelle Lane, Carrie Ann Kowunna and Chelsea Tooyak. Listen to the game quarter by quarter by pressing play below.
First quarter:
Second quarter:
Third quarter:
Fourth quarter:
Not my granddad, but Bob Gorden, Ryan and Kristen Scholten’s granddad. Bob was kind enough to write an article about TKA famous as well as about his grandchildren’s accomplishments this past weekend. This may seem a little self-serving, but here’s a link to both of his articles:
Granddad on Grandchildren
Granddad on TALKEETNA famous
I sincerely appreciate the kind words, although that sleeping in the car thing was supposed to be a secret. As soon as the folks at Tri-Valley got wind of it, they demanded that I couch surf. I had a husky with me, and an incredible sleeping bag. I don’t want to gush, but the experiences that I have had in Healy over the past two months have provided more than enough warmth to endure the wind and weather.
Kristen and Ryan, photo by Letitia Talerico
Ryan and Kristen are two charming and hard working young adults. These characteristics run throughout their family, and their community.
As I have mentioned, I am a little overwhelmed with Talkeetna based responsibilities right now. I’m posting from work, but I’ll make it up. However, I will follow Bob’s lead and start acknowledging a few accomplishments.
Sportsmanship Award, Birchwood Christian
I had a chance to chat with a few of these lads. Why are they such good sportsmen? Because they smile a lot, play hard, and then smile a lot. Sounds easy right? Well, give it a shot.
I discussed the accomplishments of Katherine Albert, Walter Northway Lady Warrior and tournament M.V.P., at length. I owe equal time to Eli Morse, Kenny Lake Hawk and tournament M.V.P.
I don’t go to basketball tournaments to be touched. I dig backdoor cuts, 30 foot bounce passes, catch and shoot jumpers, and ankle breaking double crosses. I’m a guard. However, the single most touching moment of the tournament, for me, was the minute long handshake with mouth to ear quiet conversation in a loud gym as time expired for a hometown championship that occurred between the Kenny Lake coach, Jesse Heinbaugh, who could diagram this sentence, and Eli Morse. It was an expression of commitment and admiration. I assumed it was a career ending conversation. Might not have been, as Eli is a junior, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is graduating early.
Eli scored 101 points in six games for the Hawks. He and Dominique Bell are the bespectacled, dynamic duo. Morse is a guard, a forward, and a center. He owns and maintains prime real estate. There’s a lot of competition. Kenny Lake uses a two-point offense, with Eli Morse occupying the center of the floor, screening for Bell, kicking out to David Helkenn and Joey Leonard, or high-lowing to Caleb Helkenn. Add to that scoring and rebounding: Eli Morse does both. I don’t have the statistics available to fully describe the triple threat, but Eli Morse does it all. I must compliment the coaches for voting Eli Morse the M.V.P. Sometimes the overall contributions of an athlete can go overlooked, particularly when that athlete’s team doesn’t win the tournament. 101 points help. Congratulations Eli Morse, M.V.P. 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament. Well earned.
Eli Morse, Hawk, M.V.P.
I wish I had a photo of Eli’s coach, but that big man kinda blends. The camera couldn’t find him.
There is so much more to say about the 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament, and there’s time. Thanks again Bob, and all who had as much fun as I did. Okay, even if you had a little less fun than I did.
