The host Nikiski Bulldog girls and the Kenai Kardinal boys claimed the titles at the 2018 Rus Hitchcock Nikiski Tip-Off Basketball Tournament, both teams completing the tournament with 3-0 records.
The Rus Hitchcock Nikiski Tip-Off Basketball Tournament featured three days of round robin competition in high school basketball. Teams competing include: Nikiski girls and boys, Redington girls and boys, Monroe girls and boys, Service girls, and Kenai boys.
Rus Hitchcock NIkiski Tip-Off Basketball Tournament Game Schedule
Saturday, January 2
Monroe Girls 34 -Redington Girls 33
Monroe Boys 65 – Redington Boys 35
Nikiski Girls 44 – Service Girls 33
The Bulldogs held a lead throughout the girls championship game on a day were Nikiski relied on a defense which held Monroe to single-digit scoring in each quarter. Bethany Carstens scored 13 and Emma Wik added 12 for the Bulldogs.
Nikiski Boys 44 – Kenai Boys 55
The Kardinals lead by 2 after one quarter and nine at the half, in-route-to a 55-44 championship game victory over the host Bulldogs. Luke Beiser scored 24 points for the Kards; Jace Kornstad posted 19 for the Bulldogs.
All-Tournament Team: Girls
Bethany Carstens, Nikiski MVP
Rylee Jackson, Nikiski
Katie Pierce, Service
Courtney Crocket, Joe Redington
Grace Hodges, Monroe
Madi Leslie, Monroe
All-Tournament Team: Boys
Gavin Jackson, Monroe MVP
Izak Lohrke, Monroe
Luke Beiser, Kenai
Preben Strende, Kenai
Jace Kornstad, Nikiski
Brody Brooks, Joe Redington
Friday, January 19
Service Girls 38 – Redington Girls 35
Kenai Boys downed Redington Boys
Nikiski Girls 50 – Monroe 13
Nikiski Boys 74 – Monroe 38 Monroe recorded 16 three point baskets.
Thursday, January 18
Monroe Girls 34 – Service Girls 33
Monroe wins on free throw with no time on the clock.
Kenai Boys 45 -Monroe Boys 44
The Kenai Kardinals Preben Strende hit a corner three with 12 seconds remaining to put Kenai ahead 45-44, as the Kardinals hold-on for a victory over Monroe. Kenai lead early 15-9 after one quarter and 21-19 at the half. The Kardinals lead by eight in the third quarter before Monroe closed to a 35-33 Kenai advantage into the final quarter. Luke Beiser lead the Kards with 15 points; Strende scored 13 including four three-point baskets.
Nikiski Girls 53 – Joe Redington 23
Nikiski dominated Joe Redington from the opening tip, building a 20-5 lead in the first quarter and 31-8 lead at the half. Bethany Carstens lead the Bulldogs with 16 points; Rylee Jackson added 10 points. eight Bulldogs scored in the 53-23 victory.
Nikiski Boys 56 – Joe Redington 38
Jace Kornstad erupted for 36 points, 23 in the second half, as the Bulldogs pulled-away from Joe Redington for a 56-38 victory. Nikiski lead by four 34-30 after three quarters, then outscored the Huskies 22 to 8 in the final quarter; Kornstad scored 13 in the last quarter.
