Northern lights Conference basketball for the Soldotna Stars in Wasilla, non-conference 3A basketball for the Nikiski Bulldogs on Saturday in Nome and Ninilchik Invitational games filled the high school basketball weekend.
SoHi Boys 52 – Wasilla 40
Five three-point baskets in the first quarter and 14 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter pushed the SoHi boys over Wasilla on Saturday in Northern Lights Conference basketball action in Wasilla.
The Stars opened a 19-10 lead i the first quarter, lead by five (26-21) at the half, andheld a narow 36-33 lead after three quarters. SoHi scored one field goal in the final quarter and converted 14 free throws, while allowing only seven points to the Knights. Jersey Truesdell lead the Stars with 19 points; Ray Chumley scored 11 and Tyler Morrison and Kekhi Rich added eight each. Final Score: SoHi 52, Wasilla 40. SoHi moves to 3-2 in the NLC; Wasilla stands at 2-4 in conference play.
SoHi Girls 43 – Wasilla 63
Foul trouble proved the deciding factor for the SoHi Lady Stars in a 63-43 Northern Lights Conference loss to the Wasilla Warriors on Saturday.
The Stars lead 13-12 early on the second quarter; however, Itu Tuisaula for the Stars picked-up a third foul and with Tuisaula on the bench the Warriors ran-out to a 33-20 halftime lead. Tuisaula spend time on the bench in the third and fourth quarters; each time, the Warriors extended their lead en route to a 63-43 NLC victory. Wasilla improves to 6-0 in conference play; SoHi drops to 3-2 in the NLC with a pair of NLC games against Colony next weekend.
Ninilchik Invitational
The Ninilchik girls and boys claimed Ninilchik Invitational titles with victories on Saturday; Cook Inlet Academy girls and boys both finish second.
Ninilchik defeated Nikiski JV 54-43 on Saturday with Maddie Cooper scoring 19.
The Ninilchik boys defeated Nanwalek 81-50 lead by Ben Botero with 22 points.
The CIA girls defeated Kalskag 46-43 in overtime lead by Anna Henderson with 20 points.
Nikiski @ Nome
The Nikiski girls recorded a double-overtime victory over the host Nanooks. The Bulldog boys fell to Nome on Saturday.
Nikiski Girls 67 – Nome 58
Tied 47-47 after regulation, the Bulldog girls and Nanook girls battled through two overtimes with Nikiski pulling away in the second overtime for a 67-58 3A division contest. Lillian Carstens lead all scorers with 24 points and America Jefferies added 22 for the Bulldogs.
Nikiski Boys 48 – Nome 59
Noah Litke lead the Bulldogs with 29 points in the non-conference loss to the Nanooks.
