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 Adak 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:
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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.
Walter Northway Warriors
Tri-Valley Viking Warriors
The top seeds prevailed at the 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament. The Tri-Valley Viking Warriors and the Walter Northway Lady Warriors stamped their Dance cards with clean runs to and through the Championship games.
Katherine Albert and Jessica Dillard
Katherine Albert paced the Lady Warriors’ efforts. She not only scored 75 points in three games, but provided emotional and spiritual leadership for a team whose only scare came by way of injury. Desiree Demit played sparing minutes in the Lady Warriors’ opening game against Tri-Valley due to a knee injury that she acquired several weeks ago. Demit then put up 14 points in Northway’s 70-26 semi-final win over Effie Kokrine, erasing all concerns. However, with four minutes left in the third quarter of the championship game, Desiree Demit drove the baseline, scored a bucket, drew a foul, but went to the floor in pain. It appeared to all in the gym that Demit’s season was over. Her teammates spent the five minute break weeping. Katherine Albert consoled each and every teammate, rubbing their backs, holding their shoulders and hands, and giving Tasha Demit a long hug. When play continued the Northway squad was clearly rattled. Effie Kokrine scored nine unanswered points in just over two minutes of play, cutting the lead to 34-27. After a Northway time out, Katherine Albert took matters into her own hands. She took an inbound pass at mid-court, drove left to the top of the key, crossed over, worked her way to the right wing, found a lane to the baseline, and scored from eight feet, as her teammates watched. The Northway crowd and Albert’s teammates snapped back to life. Albert secured three rebounds, and Tasha Demit scored on a put back to give the Northway Warriors a 38-27 lead at the end of three. After Effie Kokrine’s Shannon Hosken drained a three to start the fourth, Albert responded with a three of her own. Much to everyone’s surprise and concern, Desiree Demit would return to action two minutes into the fourth quarter. With three minutes left, and the Effie Kokrine Warriors within six, Desiree Demit drew a charge on Shalene Huntington erasing a breakaway bucket that would have electrified the Effie Kokrine crowd. Demit then scored the next bucket, and Northway never looked back. Katherine Albert scored eight fourth quarter points to keep her team even in the fourth, and allow the Northway Lady Warriors to qualify for the State tournament with a 50-40 win.
Desiree Demit, Northway Lady Warrior
Katherine Albert, M.V.P.
Taniesha Emry, Northway Lady Warrior
Coach Albert of the Northway Lady Warriors
Northway Lady Warriors w/o Desiree
Desiree, Katherine, and Tasha
photo by Brian Swett
The Tri-Valley Viking Warriors cruised to victory at the 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament. Marauders for sure, the Viking Warriors posted, 59-7, 48-37, 67-40, and 52-24 victories to earn a berth at next week’s State tournament. 23 and 16 point outbursts from Sean McKenzie, furious ball movement and defense from Jonathan Talerico, Andrew Talerico and Ryan Scholten, and steady rebounding from Forest Shreeve was far more than any opponent could match over a four day period. Coach Colin Keith’s squad operated and executed on a level unavailable to others. No suspense, just destiny, as the Viking Warriors completed the regular and post season undefeated in conference play.
All-Tournament Viking Warriors
Another net, one to go
Forest Shreeve cuts nylon
One big, happy, Talerico family
Sean McKenzie, 47 points in three games
While my heart is still in Healy, I am a little overwhelmed with responsibilities here in Talkeetna. Thanks to Brian Swett and Letitia Talerico, I have many photos to sort through and share. There are second and third place teams to congratulate, and all-tournament and all-academic teams to honor. It will be Warrior week here on Talkeetna famous. There will be photos of many of the players that participated in this weekend’s Central Interior Conference Tournament, but I need a little time to gather it all together. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make the tournament so pleasurable. Congratulations to the Lady Warriors from Northway and the Viking Warriors. Good skill at State, luck if needed. There are links to the State schedule below.
Boys 2A State Schedule
Girls 2A State Schedule
Lady Viking Warriors
The Tri-Valley Viking Warriors and the Kenny Lake Hawks are in the Ship. The Warriors are one win away from State. The Hawks are playing their second game of the day, and it will take three, including two wins against the Viking Warriors if they are to make it to State.
note: the second quarter was interrupted by an injury. The second quarter is continued below.
The #2 seed Effie Kokrine Warriors have earned a second shot at the #1 seed Northway Warriors. Shannon Hosken and Shalene Huntington led Effie Kokrine to a convincing 52-36 win over Kenny Lake with 19 and 13 points respectively. Hosken has tallied 43 points to lead all Effie Kokrine scorers through three games. Nelowa Nusunginya and Huntington have cleared the boards all weekend, and Rachel Kokrine and Heather Dozette have handled the ball and spearheaded the Warriors defensive efforts.
However, Katherine Albert and the Walter Northway Warriors have been invincible thus far at the 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament. Albert scored 30 points in Northway’s dominating victory over Effie Kokrine last night, and 22 in the Warriors’ win over Tri-Valley. Desiree Demit and Tasha Demit added 14 and 11 points respectively in the Warriors winning effort last night. Shanice Albert has contributed 12 points in the Warriors two games, and Jessica Dillard has provided aggressive defense throughout.
The ladies’ Ship is set to sail. Effie Kokrine will need to win twice in order to earn a berth in the State Tournament. If Northway wins this one, they’re heading south.
note: the third quarter was interrupted by an injury. The quarter continues below.
Four Quarter:
The #2 seed Kenny Lake hawks have worked their way back to championship contention after a second round upset loss to Northway. Dominique Bell poured in 21 points two games back and Eli Morse followed with 23 points in yesterday’s win over Effie Kokrine. They will try to join forces and get the Hawk’s boys squad to the championship game that eluded the girls. Northway will try to bounce back from a lopsided loss to the #1 seed Tri-Valley Viking Warriors. Todd Demit and Brandon Teasdale have led their effort, but both were injured in last night’s game. We’ll see how they feel today.
