The Huslia Huslers girls team took second at this past weekend’s Nenana Invitational Tournament. It may have been the last time that TALKEETNA famous will cover Huslia this year. Many small schools have small rosters. On the final day of the N.I.T., there were two games in which, due to foul trouble, a small school’s team was forced to finish a game with only four players on the floor. When this happens, the complection of the game changes quickly.
The Tri-Valley girls team only suited five players in their game against Nenana. The Viking Warriors were controlling the game throughout. They had built a 28-20 lead with just over a minute to play in the third quarter. Then Hannah Keith fouled out. Nenana, playing with a five on four advantage, was able to outscore Tri-Valley 14-2 over the game’s last nine minutes to secure a 34-30 win.
In this past weekend’s example, Tri-Valley had control over their fate. It was foul trouble that was their undoing in the end. Nenana deserves credit for creating the foul trouble. However, last year, at the State Tournament, the Huslia girls team was playing a Port Lions team that only brought five players to the tournament. One of those five was injured in their first game. The following article from the Kodiak Daily Mirror tells the story of how the Huslia coach and the players responded to the situation that the injury created.
Read: Sportsmanship!
Huslia Huslers
Closing Ceremony
One of the things that makes the Nenana Invitational Tournament so special is their Closing Ceremony. The host school invites all of the athletes out onto the floor to be celebrated. The All-Tournament Teams are lined up in front of all who played. The Top Three teams in each bracket are brought to center court to be congratulated and photographed. The games are exciting, but this ceremony tops them all.
The Tournament M.V.P. is a man named Dean Overby, which, if you think about it, is a perfect name for a career in Education. Dean Overby has coordinated twenty or more Nenana Invitational Tournaments. He’s been at it long enough to see the participation of the daughters and sons of fathers and mothers who have played in the Tournament. Thank you Dean for another great tournament.
The Girls’ Championship Game features the Seldovia Sea Otters against the Huslia Huslers. The Sea Otters gained access to the ship with wins over Effie Kokrine and Fort Yukon. The Huslers stamped their ticket with wins over Tri-Valley and Susitna Valley.
First quarter:
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Second quarter:
Third quarter:
Fourth quarter:
Seldovia Sea Otters
The Huslia Huslers met the Effie Kokrine Warriors in Saturday’s fourth game at the Nenana Invitational Tournament with fourth place on the line. The Warriors lost to Nikolaevsk on the tournament’s opening day, and Huslia lost to Tri-Valley. Both Tri-Valley and Nikolaevsk would win on the tournament’s second day to secure entry into the Ship, the tournament championship game. Effie Kokrine defeated Fort Yukon, and Huslia defeated Tok, allowing both teams to qualify for today’s fourth place game. Press play below to listen to the game quarter by quarter.
The third place girls game matches Huslia against Tanana. The winner takes third in the girls division. Listen by pressing play down below.
First Quarter:
Second Quarter:
Third Quarter:
Fourth Quarter:
The first boys basketball game of the day at the Tri-Valley Invitational features two teams looking for their first win of the tournament. Cordova JV and Huslia battle for fifth place. Press play below to listen to the game, quarter by quarter.
Six more games remain in the Tri-Valley Invitational, including the girls and boys finals which will be played at 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm respectively.
Saturday’s Schedule:
9:00 am: Susitna Valley vs. Tri-Valley (girls)
10:30 am: Huslia vs. Cordova JV (boys)
12:00 pm: Huslia vs. Tanana (girls)
1:45 pm: Tri-Valley vs. Northway (boys)
3:30 pm: Northway vs. North Pole JV (girls)
5:00 pm: Susitna Valley vs. North Pole JV (boys)
Listen to the first of four boys basketball games recorded live at the Tri-Valley Invitational. Huslia tries to rebound from Thursday’s 64-22 loss to the Susitna Valley Rams. Northway plays their first game of the tournament, and first of two games on the day. Press play below to listen to the game, quarter by quarter.
