The Nikiski basketball program continues its “See Alaska Tour” as the Bulldogs opened competition at the Bethel Donlin Gold Basketball tournament at Bethel High School.
The three-day, round-robin format basketball tournament features Nikiski, Unalakleet, Eielson and host Bethel.
Nikiski Girls 33 – Unalakleet 26
The Bulldog girls held-off the Unalakleet Wolfpack 33-26 in the opening game of the Bethel tournament. Ashlynne Playle scored 10 points for Nikiski; Shelby Burman added 10 points for the Bulldogs.
Nikiski Boys 74 – Unalakleet 61
Behind a 22-point effort by Drew Handley, the Nikiski boys rallied from a 42-30 halftime deficit to defeat Unalakleet 74-61, outscoring the Wolfpack 44-19. Seth Payne scored 21 points and Charlie Chamberlain added 19 points for the Bulldog boys.
Nikiski, on Friday, again plays the early games with the Bulldog boys playing Eielson at 2 p.m.; the Nikiski girls face the Ravens at 3:30 p.m.
O’Brady Invitational Basketball Tournament @ South Anchorage
Lathrop Boys 56, Ninilchik 44
The top 4A basketball team in Fairbanks, Lathrop High School, topped the reigning 2A state champion Ninilchik Wolverines 56-44 in the opening round of the 2023 O’Brady Invitational at South Anchorage High.
For the game, Colvin Moore led the Wolverines with 14 points and Jalin Scott added 12 points.
The Wolverines suffered their first loss of the season and first loss in their last 37 games extending back to 2021.
On Friday, Ninilchik faces 4A Northern Lights Conference Palmer in the tournament’s 4:30 p.m. game.
