Overcoming a 13-point, first quarter deficit and rallying to a 41-37 overtime victory; the Ninilchik Wolverine boys battled to the 2016 ASAA 1A State Boys Basketball Championship on Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center at UAA.
The Wolverines were lead by a double-double effort by Austin White as White scored 25 points and collected 19 rebounds, including all four of the Wolverines points in the overtime period. Ninlchik held Nikolaevsk scoreless in the overtime.
The Warriors opened with a 21-8 advantage in the first quarter; however, scored only 16 point in the next three quarters. Ninilchik scored 17 points in the third quarter to take a 33-31 lead into the final quarter. Regulation time ended with the teams tied at 37-37. Neil Gordeev lead the Warriors with 14 points, nine in the first quarter. The Warriors shot 3 of 7 from the three point line in the first quarter and 4 of 26 for the game (only 1 of 19 after the first quarter).
State Tournament History
The Ninilchik boys claim their first basketball state championship.
Saturday’s championship game was the first time two Peninsula Conference teams have meet in the 1A boys title game. In 2001-02, Cook Inlet Academy and Ninilchik meet in the boys championship game in the 2A division. Cook Inlet defeated Ninilchik 43-40 in double overtime.
Saturday Tournament Results
The Ninilchik girls finished tournament play with a 3-1 record, winning three-straight after a first round loss. The Wolverine girls defeated Newhalen 42-31 to claim the Silver Bracket title.
The Nikolaevsk girls won the 4th place game on Saturday, a 50-45 overtime victory over Shishmaref. The Warriors girls finish tournament play with a 3-1 record.
The 1A Girls championship goes to the Scammon Bay girls with a 66-43 victory over the 2015 1A champion Alak.
