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.
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.
First Quarter:
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Second Quarter:
note: the second quarter was interrupted by an injury. The second quarter is continued below.
Third Quarter:
Fourth 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.
The seeds have held in the Girls Bracket. The #2 seed Effie Kokrine Warriors and the #3 seed Kenny Lake Hawks play with a ticket to the Ship on the line. If either of these teams is to earn a trip to the State Tournament, they will have to play and win three games today. That trip starts with this game.
photo by Letitia Talerico
Kenny Lake and Effie Kokrine will both play their second game of the day. Kenny Lake topped Wasilla Lake 50-46 in the tournaments most exciting game to stay alive in the tournament; Effie Kokrine topped Birchwood 47-31. Four teams are left in the Boys Bracket, but only one of these two can advance. The winner plays Walter Northway tomorrow.
The Tri-Valley Lady Viking Warriors and the Kenny Lake Lady Hawks need a win to stay afloat in the 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament. The Viking Warriors kept their hopes alive this morning as Windy Gore pushed them to a 33-16 victory with 16 points. Kristen Scholten added 10 in the winning effort. The Hawks used balanced scoring to top the Birchwood Christian Warriors 38-23 this morning. Samantha Knutson, Hannah Rosenkrans and Kailey Wilson all scored 8 points in the win.
First quarter:
The Kenny Lake Hawks look to bounce back from yesterday’s loss to Effie Kokrine. Kailey Wilson scored 15 points, and Hannah Rosenkrans and Samantha Knutson each pitched in 8, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with a talented Effie Kokrine squad. The Hawks just barely slipped past the Tok Wolverines in their first game, a 28-26 win. Birchwood plays their second game of the tournament. Savanna Cage led the Warriors with 9 points in the loss, and Samantha Roscovius and Kari Von Ruden each pitched in 6.
The Kenny Lake Hawks try to recover from an upset of sorts, a second round loss to the #3 seed Walter Northway Warriors. Eli Morse has led the Hawks efforts with 15 points in their opening round win over Tok, and 20 points in yesterday’s loss. The Wasilla Lake Rams topped Anderson with a 17 point outburst from Jackson Wilder. Josh Grissom and Taylor Roth posted 12 points apiece in the Rams first round 50-45 loss to Effie Kokrine. The Hawks and Rams need a win to stay alive in the 2010 Central Interior Conference Tournament.
WOW! What a game. It’s a hackneyed expression, but it’s a shame that someone had to lose.
The #2 seed Effie Kokrine Lady Warrriors are warming up and ready to play their first game of the Central Interior Conference Tournament. Hannah Rosenkrans and Kailey Wilson led the Kenny Lake Hawks to a 28-26 victory over Tok, and an appearance in this second round game. The winner of this game earns the right to play the top seeded Walter Northway Warriors tomorrow afternoon at 3:00.
Second quarter:
Third quarter:
Fourth quarter:
Caleb Helkenn, Eli Morse and Dominique Bell try to lead the #2 seed Kenny Lake Hawks past the #3 seed Northway Warriors. The Warriors used a balanced attack to defeat Birchwood 57-40 in the opening round. Brandon Teasdale scored 15, Todd Demit 14, Chad Albert 11, and Daniel Thomas 11 in the victory.
