Susitna Valley High School was host to a high school basketball tournament for the first time in twenty plus years this weekend. I hope you were there. 108 athletes demonstrated an exceptional balance between sportsmanship and competitive vigor. The final day delivered more Madness than the average March. There were two champions, and many winners.
Crowley Classic All-Tournament Team
left to right:
Haley Tyler, Nenana—Daphne Williams, Nenana—Chasity Herbert, Fort Yukon—Kat Wollett, Susitna Valley—Leyla Sinyawski, Valley Christian—Sierra O’Connor, Susitna Valley—Sierra Pedersen, Susitna Valley—Bailey Stevenson, Susitna Valley
105 points (28,43,34) in 3 games
Not Pictured:
Rachael Smith, Matanuska Christian—Kelsie McGraw, Cornerstone
Paxson Matthews, Susitna Valley—Edwin Waskey, Nenana—Dylan Figley, Susitna Valley—Darell Pine, Valley Christian—Jon Turner, Valley Christian—Timothey Standifer, Nenana
Not pictured:
Jared Wood, Wings Christian—Roland James, Fort Yukon—Alexander Pettey, Wings Christian—Nick Swain, Whittier
Fort Yukon Lady Eagles
Coach Jerry Carroll, 24 Karissa Carroll, 31 Chasity Herbert, 30 Micala Peter, 32 Kandace Carroll, 12 April Peter
Wings Christian Eagles
Alexander Pettey, Jared Wood, Caden MacLellan, Brandon Saunders, Mathew Grant—Coach Bill Wood (not pictured)
James Sickler, Tournament Director
He didn’t do it alone, but James Sickler, Susitna Valley High School Athletic Director, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, and 2010 Crowley Classic Tournament Director engaged with, encouraged and organized a tremendous amount of energy this weekend. For that, he has been named the 2010 Crowley Classic Tournament Overall M.V.P. The inaugural Crowley Classic was an enormous success. I, for one, can’t wait for the next one.
The Nenana Lady Lynx and the Valley Christian Lady Bears battle for third place in the Girls’ Bracket of the Crowley Classic. The Lynx have been led by Haley Tyler, who has scored 49 points in two games, not to mention creating 20 plus turnovers. The Valley Christian team is led by three Sinyawskis. Yana picked up 16 points in the Bear’s first game, as Leyla contributed 14. All 14 of Leyla’s points followed offensive rebounds. Gerriam Kruger added 12 points against Matanuska Christian. The Vallley Christian Bears will try to use a balanced attack to beat a strong Nenana Lynx team. The winner takes third place in the Girls’ Bracket.
First quarter:
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Second quarter:
Third quarter:
Fourth quarter:
Valley Christian Bears
Roland James and Jared Peter try to lead the Fort Yukon Eagles to their first victory of the Crowley Classic as they match up against a Valley Christian Bears team that will be led by Jon Turner and Darell Pine. The Valley Christian team has the unenviable task of playing early today after absorbing a tough loss to the Susitna Valley Rams in last night’s final game. Darell Pine scored 16 in last night’s 56-45 loss to the Rams. It was a four point game late, but everything changed when Jon Turner fouled out after battling foul trouble throughout the game. It’s Fort Yukon vs. Valley Christian in the Boys’ Bracket fifth place game.
The table is set. Let’s eat! The following is the schedule for the final day at the Crowley Classic. If you are in range, come on out to Susitna Valley High School to partake. If not, follow along on TALKEETNA famous.
Fifth place games
9:00 am Matanuska Christian Eagles vs. Cornerstone Spartans (girls)
10:30 am Fort Yukon Eagles vs. Valley Christian Bears (boys)
Third place games
12:00 pm Nenana Lynx vs. Valley Christian Bears (girls)
1:30 pm Wings Christian Eagles vs. Whittier (boys)
Championship Games
3:00 pm Susitna Valley Rams vs. Fort Yukon Eagles (girls)
4:30 pm Susitna Valley Rams vs. Nenana Lynx (boys
The Susitna Valley Rams are a win away from the Ship. Valley Christian won’t make it easy. The Rams defeated Whittier on the opening night of the tournament. The Bears lost to Whittier earlier today. The Rams get to play in front of their first ever packed house in their new home gym. Now they need one win to reach the Championship Game in the first annual Crowley Classic.
The Susitna Valley Rams need one win to stamp their ticket to the Ship, but Valley Christian has their eyes on the prize as well. Both teams have beaten Matanuska Christian to set up this ‘win and your in’ showdown. Valley Christian plays for the second time on the day.
The Valley Christian Bears play their first game of the Crowley Classic and first of two on the day. The Bears opponent will be the Whittier Eagles, a team that is coming off of a 59-41 loss to the host Susitna Valley Rams in last night’s final game. The Eagles are led by point guard Nick Swain, who scored 20 points last night. The Bears are led by by senior co-captains Jon Turner and Jeremy Treffers.
The Matanuska Christian Eagles try to rebound from an opening night loss to the Susitna Valley Rams. The Valley Christian Bears play their first game of the tournament and first of two on the day. This is the second of four girls games on the day and the third of eight games that will be played in the Crowley Classic today. Press play below to listen to play by play coverage of the game.
