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.

The Walter Northway Lady Warriors

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

The Tri-Valley Viking Warriors

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