The tenacious defense of the Haines boys basketball team came to the court for the championship game of the March Madness Alaska 2A Basketball state tournament on Saturday in Anchorage, but the Glacier Bears scored just three points in the first quarter against the also defensive-minded Ninilchik Wolverines, who prevailed 53-38.

“I loved everything about our team, man,” Haines coach Bryan Combs said. “They had a never-give-up mentality from the very beginning. When you get a group of guys — 10, 12, 13 — that come to the court at 6:30 every morning, every day and show up for a two-hour practice in the afternoon…They put the work in to get to play in a state championship game. And that is the bottom line.”

The first quarter belonged to Ninilchik’s McCorison brothers. Sophomore Andon McCorison hit the game’s first points from beyond the arc and added a steal and another three-point shot minutes later. Senior Kade McCorison hit a pair of two-point field goals, one at the buzzer, and had two blocked shots.

In between the McCorison scoring, Haines senior Colton Combs hit two free throws, senior John Davis hit one and the Glacier Bears trailed the Wolverines 10-3. 

Haines could not get closer than that seven-point deficit in the first half.

A. McCorison hit two free throws to open the second quarter and Haines’ C. Combs hit a driving shot to pull to 12-5. K. McCorison scored on a step-through, and Haines junior Brody Ferrin scored to trail 14-7. In between those traded scores. Haines inside senior force James Stickler picked up two fouls.

Ninilchik junior Holden Corwin hit from the arc, sophomore teammates Eric Rader and Onyx Allen hit two free throws and one free throw, respectively, for a 20-7 lead that also drew the third foul on Stickler. While Haines expects every player to rebound and play hard defense, Stickler is a force for the Glacier Bears.

“Definitely defense is what we pride ourselves on,” Haines’ Davis said. “That is where we start every game. That is where we get our energy from. Bringing the defense and then drawing up some stuff on offense, but really we just start on defense and the offense comes after that…We played some pretty good defense tonight. We played hard but some shots didn’t fall for us and shots fell for them. We haven’t played a team that big in the paint so it was a little rough down low…Shots just didn’t fall and that was how it went…In the moment it feels like a loss. It is always rough to not win but thinking about it, two years ago we were second worst in the state so to go from that to second best in the state – that is a pretty good feeling for us. I am pretty happy to be here. This is rough, but I am happy.”

Haines junior Kyran Sweet hit a put-back to pull to 20-9, but was answered by Ninilchik’s K. McCorison for a 22-9 lead.

A missed Haines shot became a tussle under the basket and jump ball possession went to the Glacier Bears. Sweet would score on an inbounds play for a 22-11 score at the half. 

Ninilchik opened the second half on an 8-0 run behind a field goal and three-point shot by A. McCorison and a blocked shot that led to an old-fashioned three-point play, both by K. McCorison, for a 30-11 lead.

The Glacier Bears worked to pull within single digits for the last time as Ferrin and senior John Davis both hit from the arc to trail 30-17. Ninilchik’s K. McCorison bumped and bullied inside to draw the fourth foul on Haines’ Stickler and hit two free throws for 32-17. The Glacier Bears Ferrin, C. Combs and sophomore Isaac Jones each hit scoring drives to trail by nine points, 32-23, but it lasted just one possession as K. McCorison scored for a 34-23 lead as the third quarter ended.

“Throughout the season we have been hanging our hats on defense,” Haines’ Ferrin said. “We really try to create pressure the whole game. Just defense and pressure really. It was awesome to be on the court tonight. I don’t think Haines has been here for about 10 to 15 years. It is a big moment for us even with the loss. It is really just amazing that we made it this far.”

The fourth quarter started with Ninilchik’s Rader scoring an old-fashioned three-point play that drew the game-ending fifth foul on Haines’ Stickler.

Sweet answered from the arc to pull to 37-26, but Rader hit a basket and then three free throws for a 41-26 lead. Haines’ junior Wade Lloyd hit two free throws and C. Combs a field goal, but Ninilchik’s Rader went to the free throw line for five more points, the result being the fourth foul called on Haines’ Jones with three minutes left in the game.

“It was a huge experience here,” Haines’ Colton Combs said. “A huge moment. All the fans from Haines, so many people came up despite struggling with the weather, trying to drive up, but when it cleared up we were able to get a bunch of fans in the stands. It made the atmosphere way better, brought more energy to the gym. It was just a great experience. I am so proud of this team. Since day one our motivation was to cut down nets and hang banners and while we did that at regions, which Haines hasn’t down in a while, then came here and almost got the job fully finished. But just came a little short.”

Haines’ Jones hit from the arc only to be answered by Ninilchik’s A. McCorison from the field and K. McCorison from the free throw line for a 50-33 lead.

Ferrin scored for Haines, but Ninilchik’s K. McCorison scored and drew the fifth foul on Haines’ Jones. 

A final shot from the arc by Haines’ Sweet was answered by a single free throw from Ninilchik’s K. McCorison for the 53-38 final score.

Haines coach Combs said the game plan was “to go out there and have fun but find your advantages, take advantage of them and play hard on defense. It has worked all season. Ninilchik, they are a great team. They are athletic, they are tall, they have been very well coached. They have done an amazing job. I have got years to go before I get to Nick’s (Ninilchik coach Nick Finley) level… So we start work as soon as we get home… We will be back. We don’t plan on being one and done. We are trying to build a culture and bring Haines basketball back and being competitive every single year.”

Sweet led Haines with 12 points, C. Combs had eight, junior Brody Ferrin seven, sophomore Isaac Jones five, senior John Davis four and junior Wade Lloyd two. The Glacier Bears made five three-point shots, nine two-point field goals and hit 5-6 from the free throw line. Haines had 23 team fouls and two players fouled out.

Senior Kade McCorison led Ninilchik with 18 points, freshman Anden McCorison had 15, sophomore Eric Rader 14, junior Holden Corwin five and sophomore Onyx Allen one. The Wolverines hit four three-point shots, 11 closer in, went 19-29 from the line and had 10 team fouls.

Ninilchik earned the title game by defeating Cordova 52-25 in the quarterfinals and Metlakatla 49-32 in the semifinals. The Wolverines finish with a 26-3 record. Their three losses were to 1A Minto (67-51) on December 20; 3A Kenai (56-27) on Jan. 8; and 3A Kenai (62-50) on Feb. 21.

Haines earned the title game by defeating Tikigaq 68-34 in the quarterfinals and Unalakleet 42-41 in the semifinals. The Glacier Bears finish their season with a 17-6 record. The losses include at Petersburg (57-38, 59-46) on Jan. 29-30; to Petersburg (52-51) on Feb. 21; and at Metlakatla (52-46, 50-42) on Feb. 26-27.

In other action for Southeast teams on Saturday during the state championships, the Craig Lady Panthers defeated the Metlakatla Miss Chiefs 52-36 in the 2A girls third/fifth place game behind 26 points from junior Sara Steffen while Metlakatla sophomore Haylen Ladnier led the Miss Chiefs with 11 points. The Metlakatla Chiefs lost to the Unalakleet Wolfpack 46-44 in the 2A boys third/fifth place game with Chiefs junior Cruz Lindsey scoring 17 and senior Sebashtin Martinez 13. And in the 1A boys consolation final for seventh place, the Klawock Chieftains defeated the Skagway Panthers 62-47 behind 26 points from Chieftains’ senior Connor Bagby, while the Panthers were led by 15 points from senior Camden Lawson.

2A STATE TOURNAMENT AWARDS

1st Place boys – Ninilchik Wolverines. 2nd Place boys – Haines Glacier Bears.

1st Place girls – Seward Seahawks. 2nd Place girls – Glennallen Panthers.

Sportsmanship (team, coaches, fans) – Metlakatla Chiefs boys, Craig Lady Panthers girls.

Team Academic – Su Valley Rams boys (3.84), Unalakleet Wolfpack girls (3.907).

Team Assists (through first two state tournament games) – Unalakleet Wolfpack boys (38), Seward Seahawks’ girls (34).

State All-Tournament boys – Joshua Smith (Unalakleet), Isaac Smith (Unalakleet),  Gianni Scudero-Hayward (Metlakatla), Jacob Lane (Tikigaq), Austin Bernard (Su Valley), James Stickler (Haines), Colton Combs (Haines), Kade McCorison (Ninilchik). Andon McCorison (Ninilchik), Marvin Captain (Tok).

State Tournament girls – Baileigh Nelson (Metlakatla), Sara Steffen (Craig), Ashlynn Smith (Craig); Isabelle Nothstine (Cordova); Lily Esmailka (Su Valley), Alianna Stone (Glennallen), Violet Jack (Unalakleet), Ava Jagielski (Seward), McKinley Williams (Seward), Grace Ann Fleming (Seward).

1A STATE TOURNAMENT AWARDS

1st Place boys – Shaktoolik Wolverines 60-46 over Minto Lakers.

1st Place girls – Fort Yukon Eagles 52-49 over Newhalen Malamutes.

Sportsmanship – Boys,  Napaaqtugmiut (Noatak) Lynx. Girls, Shaktoolik Wolverines. 

Team Academic – Boys, Skagway Panthers (3.46). Girls, Tri-Valley Warriors (3.93).

Team Assists – Boys, Shaktoolik Wolverines (57). Girls, Fort Yukon Eagles (37).

State All-Tournament boys – Alek McGarry (Cook Inlet Academy), Austin Rock (Shaktoolik), Brandt Rollman (Cook Inlet Academy), Chase Katchatag (Shaktoolik), Connor Bagby (Klawock), Frederick Olanna (Shishmaref), Gavin Hanshaw (Selawik), Ivan Davis-Nayokpuk (Shishmaref), Jonathan David (Minto), Marshall Dallman (Aniak), Nicholas Roberts (Minto), Riley Wilson (King Cove), Royce Borst (Skagway), Seth Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik), Terrence Nutting-Titus (Northway), Warren Charlie (Minto).

State All-Tournament girls – Analeigh Wassillie (Newhalen), Annette Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik), Brooklyn Hingesbergen (Selawik), Chloe Wassillie (Akiuk), CJ Kaganak (Scammon Bay), Easton Ross (Hoonah), Gracelyn Adams (Napaagtugmiut), Ida Lester (Newhalen), Iris Wappel (Tri-Valley), Jane Ward (Ft. Yukon), Kylee Carroll (Ft. Yukon), Krya Weyanna (Shishmaref), Missty Marine (Sand Point), Nellie Ward (Ft. Yukon), Pagan Lester (Newhalen), Summer Sampson (Shaktoolkik).

2A Girls Third/Fifth place game – CRAIG 52, METLAKATLA 36

In a rematch of the Southeast Conference championship game — and for the sixth time this season — the Craig Lady Panthers faced Metlakatla and repeated their regional performance with a 52-36 win over the Miss Chiefs in the third/fifth place game of the March Madness Alaska 2A Basketball state tournament Saturday in Anchorage.

The Panthers had won three of the previous five meetings, with each team winning at home and Craig taking the Southeast crown. 

“We faced Metlakatla in January and this year we saw them again at home and they won at their home court and we won at our home court,” Craig coach Vanessa James said. “And in Juneau we pulled off the win and now this one is big for us. We decided we were playing together as a team today for our seniors, and I have no doubt that getting here was what their goal was. And they lost sight of setting a new goal and we didn’t play our best basketball the last two games here at state. So coming out here and playing some pretty good basketball, I think they are leaving the state tournament on a high note.”

Craig led 14-8 after the first quarter as junior Ashlynn Smith found a rhythm with an early lay-in and two shots near the end of the stanza from the arc. Seniors Chelsea Thompson and Abigail Patten and freshman Alli Demmert added a field goal each as the Lady Panthers worked to contain the height of Metlakatla.

Miss Chiefs senior Morgan Hayward would score twice in the key on rebounds and add a free throw and senior Ma’Karii Martinez was fouled inside and hit three free throws.

The game became a real battle inside in the second quarter as Metlakatla junior Baileigh Nelson would score three times in the paint and add a free throw and Hayward added another inside score. The Miss Chiefs also had a lay-in and two shots past the arc from sophomore Haylen Ladnier.

Craig would pound the ball inside as well with junior Sara Steffen drawing four fouls on Metlakatla and hitting seven of her eight free throws.

Metlakatla would suffer a blow as Nelson suffered an injury midway through the quarter and would be lost for the rest of the game. Senior Mia Winter stepped up on the rebounding end in her absence. The Miss Chiefs trailed 26-25 heading into halftime.

“We know each other really, really well,” Metlakatla coach Mike Nigus said. “We knew what they brought and they knew what we brought. While we had our whole group healthy and ready to go, we knew it was going to be a great basketball game. And then as some injuries happened it really had an impact on the play and what we could do. It limited us.”

Craig would outscore Metlakatla 15-2 in the third quarter as Steffen hit 11 of those points and Thompson four. The Miss Chiefs’ two points came from Martinez at the free throw line.

Craig led 41-27 heading into the fourth quarter and Metlakatla would lose Martinez to an injury in the opening seconds. Steffen would score eight of the Lady Panthers 11 points in the stanza and Smith the other three.

Metlakatla’s nine points were divided among Ladnier with her third shot past the arc and seniors Saahdia Buffalo, Daycee King and Hayward.

Steffen led Crag with 26 points, Smith added 13, Thompson eight, Demmert three and Patten two. The Lady Panthers made three shots past the arc, 15 two-point field goals and hit 13-18 at the free throw line. Patten had five of the Lady Panthers 13 fouls and was lost in the fourth quarter.

“I felt like it was very emotional because we lost our last game and didn’t make it into the championship,” Craig’s Thompson said. “We wanted to do the best we could from here, which was to get third and put everything that we have learned from the last 12 years on to the court. We just wanted to let it all go on the court.”

Said Craig’s Patten, “We have been working on this our entire lives. We just wanted to put everything out there. Leave nothing undone, you know, leave no stone unturned. It felt really good to end my season and my career on a win, and it is extremely special to have these girls behind me. It was a team effort today. Everybody contributes and it is really good to be a senior and know that everybody has your back to get you that win.”

Ladnier led Metlakatla with 11 points, Hayward had eight, Nelson seven, Martinez five, King three and Buffalo two. The Miss Chiefs hit three three-point shots, nine two-point field goals and were 9-12 at the line. Buffalo had five of the Miss Chiefs 21 fouls and was lost in the fourth quarter. Martinez had her fourth foul before injury and Winter had four.

“It means a lot to know how far we have come from where we started to where we ended,” Metlakatla’s Martinez said. “I think we gave our all. I have nothing left in me to give to the floor. I played my whole heart out. We have played against Craig since middle school.”

Said Buffalo, “It feels like we all know all of each other’s plays because this is the sixth time we have played each other. Basketball has always been there my whole life. It meant a lot when I moved here as a seventh grader and started growing up with them… Because it is not only about basketball.”

Add Martinez, “Our whole team grew up together and when we added ‘Via’ in it just clicked. It is a sport that our parents played so we of course are going to play it. I felt like it created special bonds that are going to be helpful in the future because it is about the connections you make all around Southeast.”

Craig seniors Thompson and Patten were honored after the game along with Metlakatla seniors Martinez, Winter, King, Hayward and Buffalo.    

“It is a joy,” Craig coach Vanessa James said. “Because I have been coaching most of these girls since kindergarten through middle school and high school. So seeing their growth and watching them grow as young women has always been bigger than basketball for me. Seeing them grow and become good human beings is the ultimate goal. I wish my two seniors the best of luck and I know they will do great moving forward in life.”

Metlakatla coach Nigus spoke to the impact his seniors had on the future of the Miss Chiefs program, saying, “They will forever be Miss Chiefs. They have won state championships and battled through the grind of making a trip to state every year that they have been in the program. I am not sure how many can say that… anywhere.”

Craig finishes the season with a 24-5 record. The five losses came against 4A Service (98-45) on December 28, at Metlakatla (42-34, 53-50) Jan. 7-8, at Petersburg (43-40) Jan. 31 and in the state semifinals to Glennallen (48-37) on Friday.

Metlakatla finished with a 20-7 record. The Miss Chiefs losses included Glennallen (24-14) on Jan. 29, Dillingham (26-20) on Jan. 31, at Craig (41-28, 40-32) on Feb. 6-7, at regions to Craig (47-41) on March 6, at state to Seward (53-23) on Friday, and Craig (52-36) Saturday.

Note: The Seward Seahawks defeated the Glennallen Lady Panthers 42-26 for the 2A championship. The Seahawks also beat the Lady Panthers last year for the state title.

2A boys third/fifth place game – UNALAKLEET 46, METLAKATLA 44

The Metlakatla Chiefs lost in the finals seconds of the March Madness Alaska 2A Basketball State Championships third/fifth place game on Saturday, 46-44, to the Unalakleet Wolfpack at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s AVIS Center.

“We have played Unalakleet three times now over the last two years and they were all battles,” Metlakatla coach TJ Scott said. “They got us by three last year, we got them by five and then they got us by two today and we just match up really well. They go on some huge runs whenever we play them and we just have to kind of chip away. And dang it. If I just had one more time out tonight.”

Trailing 44-38, Metlakatla senior Sebastian Martinez hit from past the arc to pull the Chiefs to 44-41 with 49 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Scott called his last time out to set up the Metlakatla defense and tell the Chiefs to not foul immediately.

The Metlakatla defense came up with a loose ball with 20 seconds left and Martinez buried another shot from the arc to tie the game.

With Metlakatla having no way to slow the action, the change of possession gave Unalakleet a hurried inbounds pass under pressure but the Wolfpack were able to find sophomore Joshua Smith under their basket for a layin with four seconds left and the Chiefs could not strategize a final play or a final shot as time expired.

“We were in that full court press mode still and we gave up an odd-man break going the other way because I just didn’t get pulled out of it,” Scott said. “I wish I had one more but most of our timeouts were trying to bail us out of bad spots from their press. They kind of caused me to burn my time outs.”

The game started with a long-scoring first half as both teams fell into a patient offense due to hard nosed defense by opponents.

Metlakatla led 10-7 after eight minutes behind six points from junior Rocco Lindsey, and two apiece from Martinez and junior Gianni Scudero-Hayward. The Chiefs would go into the half leading 17-13 behind a basket apiece by R. Lindsey and junior Cruz Lindsey, three free throws from junior Cordell Buxton and one from Scudero-Hayward.

A brief break rejuvenated both sides and the scoring inflated from distance with Metlakatla’s C. Lindsey hitting two from the arc and senior Bryce Olin one, and C. Lindsey netting a shot closer in and a free throw. Scudero-Hayward would be called for his second and third foul in the quarter and have to take a brief break.

Unalakleet senior Carter Gray hit two shots from the arc in that stanza and sophomore Connor Doty one, while senior Trevin Soderstrom and Smith connected on put backs inside to cut into the Metlakatla lead and trail 29-26 starting the final eight minutes.

C. Lindsey was whistled for his third foul in the opening seconds and R. Lindsey hit a basket for a 31-29 lead but Unalakleet’s Soderstrom hit for 31-28. R. Lindsey hit inside again on a wrap-around pass by Olin for a 33-28 advantage.

Unalakleet would tie the game with an old fashioned three-point play that drew the fourth foul on R. Lindsey and Smith drew the fourth foul on Scudero-Hayward and made both free throws to knot the game at 33-33.

After both teams had a steal and a turnover, a rebound by Metlakatla’s Olin led to a fast break basket from Martinez for a 35-33 lead and coach Scott called his second to last timeout as Unalakleet had a man alone on the other end.

Unalakleet sophomore Oliver Ivanoff scored to tie the game at 35-35 and Smith stole the inbounds pass and scored an old-fashioned three-point play for a 38-35 lead. Another steal by Unalakleet’s Ivanoff drew a fifth and final foul on Metlakatla’s ball handling wizard Scudero-Hayward and Ivanoff hit one free throw for a 39-35 lead.

Martinez knocked down a three-point shot with 1:57 left in the game to pull the Chiefs to 39-38 but was answered by the Wolfpacks Doty for a 42-28 lead.

“Every shot I take I think it is going in,” Martinez said. “You have to have that shooter’s confidence even if you have missed all your other three-point shots or missed every other shot. You just have to shoot with confidence and they will start to fall.”

A loose ball tussle became a jump ball possession for Unalakleet and Smith was fouled, making two free throws for a 44-38 lead.

Martinez would then hit the first of his last two high school shots from the arc, pulling the Chiefs to 44-41 with that 49 second time out giving the Metlakatla players their final instructions. The plan worked as the ball came back to Martinez and he hit with under 12 seconds but Unalakleet’s Smith would sneak along the back court infront of his own bench for the game winner.

“The season has had ups and downs,” Martinez said. “Six weeks ago we lost to this team and we were their first win, and only win of the season at that time. But to come back from that and from losing the first round in regionals and battled our way through and took down the first seed Petersburg that lost in the championship and making it to state with Haines is huge. We weren’t really even supposed to be here so it was an honor to just come up here and play and make it to the semifinals and battle against that really tough Ninilchik team… We play with 110 precent the whole time. It is never over until it is over really. That true second game at regionals against Petersburg we were down five with a minute to go, a two possession game. But luckily we got two stops and boom we were tied up with 30 seconds left and then went into double overtime and ended up coming out on top and coming up here. I love these guys. They  are my brothers. Even now that I am out of high school basketball they will always be close to me.”

C. Lindsey led Metlakatla with 17 points, Martinez added 13, R. Lindsey six, Scudero-Hayward and Olin three apiece and Buxton two. The Chiefs hit six three-point shots, 11 two-point field goals and were 4-12 from the free throw line.

Smith led Unalakleet with 13 points, Doty, Soderstrom and Grey nine each, and Ivanoff six. The Wolfpack made six three-point shots, 10 two-point field goals and were 8-12 at the line.

“I just told them I was super proud of them,” Scott said. “They battle and have heart. You know yesterday we got down 17-4 and just couldn’t stop the bleeding early and then played fine the rest of the day. And today they come out, it was 7-2 or something and we were down, and then we fixed it. We didn’t let it get to double digits and then we played really good, smart basketball the rest of the half and really good defense. We caused them into some quick, bad possessions and really rattled them. Obviously that is a hell of a coach on the other side and he made some adjustments at halftime. They exposed our defense a little bit and they have five or six guys that are willing and capable to take those shots from distance and have so many good players it is hard to match up at times. But we battled hard and played hard and we had a shot for sure.”

Metlakatla finishes their season 17-11. The Chiefs 11 losses came at Petersburg (44-26, 58-50) on January 3-4, at Haines (57-48, 50-41) on January 16-17, against Unalakleet on a neutral court (59-44) on January 30, to Dillingham on a neutral court (31-21) on January 31, at Craig (42-35) on February 7, at Petersburg (47-31) on February 14, against Haines at Juneau regional (42-31) on March 4, at state to Ninilchik (49-32 on Friday and Unalakleet (46-44) Saturday to finish in fifth place.

Metlakatla seniors Bryce Olin (2), Sebashtin Martinez (11) and Robert Ridley (5) along with Unalakleet seniors Isaac Smith (15), Carter Gray (25), Chace Doty (5) and Trevin Soderstrom (22) were honored after the game.

Note: Ninilchik defeated Haines 53-48 for the 2A state championship. Unalakleet won the title last season over Cordova.

1A boys seventh place game – KLAWOCK 62, SKAGWAY 47

Klawock defeated Southeast Conference foe Skagway 62-47 on Saturday for seventh place in the March Madness Alaska 1A Basketball State Championships in Anchorage.

“It was only appropriate we played them,” Skagway coach Ross Barrett said. “They are a good team and we always have a good battle with them. Our team always puts in a 100% effort, that has never been an issue with us. The effort is always there. Some days it is just not falling for us and some days the energy just isn’t there but they played a really good game today. We just couldn’t get it going today.”

Skagway had beaten Klawock 64-60 for the region championship, an upset as the Chieftains held the conference top seed.

“It is fun to play them again,” Skagway senior Camden Lawson said after Saturday’s game. His emotions led to tears. “We have played them like five times this year but it is always a battle. I knew it was going to be close but yeah, I don’t know what to say, sorry… Basketball is just, just so fun. I get to be around all my friends and get to travel with them to bigger places. It is pretty special.”

Skagway held a 14-12 lead after eight minutes with C. Lawson hitting a shot past the arc and a lay-in and senior Royce Borst hitting from the arc and driving inside for two more scores.

“I was honestly surprised we would play them again,” Borst said. “We played them in the regional title and it is always a good game against them. A pretty good rivalry. I don’t think it has hit me that this is my last high school game. I don’t even know what to say. I’m speechless, kind of sad, but moving on is exciting.”

Klawock junior Paul Lingley also found both a shot from distance and a driving layup in the first quarter and Chieftains senior Connor Bagby was aggressive on his drives, scoring on a lay-in and going to the free throw line for three more points.

Skagway’s C. Lawson hit another shot from distance to spark the Panthers’ second quarter and junior Ryder Calver added a couple baskets inside while Klawock’s Bagby and sophomore Dahani Peel each hit from the arc and added a free throw in the stanza. Skagway held a 25-22 lead at the half.

Klawock went to a full court defense to open the second half, and the pressure allowed Lingley to get the ball in transition and when not hitting two shots from the arc, he dished off four assists to senior Tristin Ryno, junior Raymond Fairbanks and Bagby. Skagway junior Ryder Calver scored six of the Panthers’ nine points in the stanza. The Chieftains took a 42-34 lead into the final eight minutes.

The fourth quarter belonged to Klawock’s Bagby, as he hit five field goals and two free throws on an assortment of fast break shots with assists by Lingley and rebounds by Ryno as the Chieftains scored another 20 points. Skagway’s C. Lawson added another six points for the Panthers and senior Kaleb Cochran hit from the arc, added a lay-in and finished his night with a free throw but Klawock had avenged their regional title loss 62-47.

Klawock seniors Bagby, Ryno and David Friday were honored after the game along with Skagway seniors Borst, Cochran and C. Lawson.

“It is a lot, man,” Klawock senior C. Bagby said, breaking down into tears. “This team man. We worked our (butts) off to come to state. And to have this last, final game and kick the heck out of our competitors… I love the game, man… You get to practice with guys who you might not know yet but once the season ends you realize they are family. You all work together and come to state or win regionals, whatever, it is just the love of the game. I love to play and have fun.”

Bagby led Klawock with 26 points, Lingley added 16, Ryno and Fairbanks six apiece, Peel five and junior Cesar Vasquez three. The Chieftains made five three-point shots, 17 two-point field goals and were 13-16 at the free throw line. Klawock had 12 fouls with only Ryno reaching his fourth.

C. Lawson led Skagway with 15 points, Borst added 14, Calver 10, Cochran six and Malcolm Lawson two. The Panthers made four three-point shots, 14 two-point field goals and were 7-13 at the line. Calver had five of the Panthers 13 fouls.

“Paul Lingley was huge for us,” Klawock coach Nate Yockey said. “He controlled our pace the entire tournament and had his best stretch of games all season. His personal growth as well as a player has been fun to watch, he’s grown a tremendous amount and ended the season on a great note. The trajectory of the game was similar to our region final — we threw a good punch first, they swung back and were up at half. The difference between this game and the region final was our ability to respond to adversity when we got down. I’m super proud of the guys’ effort.” 

Klawock finishes the season with a 26-6 record and Skagway 22-7. In an early tourney at Skagway, the two teams split with Klawock winning 38-34 and Skagway winning 66-50. The Panthers defeated the Chieftains 46-43 for the regional title at Mt. Edgecumbe.

Klawock opened state tournament play with a 64-60 loss to Walter Northway on Wednesday, defeated Eek 67-42 on Thursday, and toppled Chief Ivan Blunka 66-36 Friday. Skagway opened state with a 67-50 loss to Shishmaref on Wednesday, defeated Nunamiut 99-41 Thursday and Aniak 83-48 on Friday.

Note: Shaktoolik defeated Minto 60-46 for the 1A boys state championship. Shaktoolik defeated Cook Inlet Academy last season for the title.

In the 1A girls state championship game the Fort Yukon Lady Eagles defeated the Newhalen Lady Malamutes 52-49. This is Fort Yukon’s third straight state title.

This story was originally published by the Juneau Independent.