The visitors took the day during the 35th annual Rus Hitchcock Tournament in Nikiski. The Bethel Warrior boys and the Metlakatla Miss Chiefs both took first place, finishing 3-0 in tournament play. Second place went to the Metlakatla boys and Bethel girls.
The Nikiski Bulldogs boys and girls basketball teams had a rough weekend; both teams finished the tournament 0-3, and struggled against the quick ball movement and perimeter shooting of the visiting teams.
Thursday, Jan. 11
Girls
Nikiski 37, Metlakatla 60
In their Rus Hitchcock Tournament opener, the Nikiski girls put up a strong first half against the Metlakatla Miss Chiefs thanks to a strong, 10-point performance from forward Alexa Iyatunguk. The Bulldogs trailed 20-23 heading into the locker room.
In the second half, Metlakatla began moving the ball very efficiently, working through the high post to create offensive opportunities down low and around the perimeter, and outscored the Bulldogs 37-17 on the third and fourth quarters. The Miss Chiefs recorded 4 second half 3-pointers, and several blocks by forward Lexi Cook.
Nikiski tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, led by three 3-pointers from Shelby Burman, but every time the Lady Bulldogs seemed to pull within striking distance, Metlakatla would kill any Nikiski momentum with a string of made baskets.
Iyatunguk led the Bulldogs in scoring with 15 points; Burman added 12.
Boys
Nikiski 37, Metlakatla 78
The Nikiski boys fell in a landslide to the Metlakatla Chiefs on Thursday night; they had their hands full all game with a lethal Metlakatla point guard tandem of Brody Booth and Mason Rolando. Booth worked off screens all night to reach the baseline and either get to the rim or find teammates open around the perimeter, while Rolando channeled his inner James Harden, draining one step back 3-pointer after another.
The Bulldogs fell behind quickly and trailed 15-44 at the half.
David Weathers offered a bright spot for Nikiski, nothing two 3-pointers and going 3-6 from the free throw line on his way to a team high 12 points.
Next up for the Bulldogs, both girls’ and boys’ teams will face off at home against Homer tonight.
Friday, Jan. 12
Girls
Metlakatla 56, Bethel 43
Nikiski 31, Homer 49
Boys
Metlakatla 45, Bethel 61
Nikiski 75, Homer 84
Saturday, Jan. 13
Girls
Metlakatla 65, Homer 47
Nikiski 22, Bethel 48
Boys
Metlakatla 67 vs Homer 52
Nikiski 36, Bethel 69
Final Tournament Awards
1st Place
Boys: Bethel
Girls: Metlakatla
2nd Place
Boys: Metlakatla
Girls: Bethel
Sportsmanship
Boys: Bethel
Girls: Homer
All-Tournament Team Boys
Greg Turner-Bethel; Troy Russell-Metlakatla; David Weathers-Nikiski; Carter Marsden-Metlakatla; Ethan Wheeler-Bethel
MVP
Boys: Lucas Story-Homer
All-Tournament Team Girls
Ryley Booth-Metlakatla; Bree Chavez- Metlakatla; Allie Alexie-Bethel; Maggie Grenier- Nikiski; Isabel Lieb-Bethel
MVP
Girls: Sydney Shelby- Homer
Scrappy Award
Boys: Troy Russell-Metlakatla
Girls: Isabel Lieb-Bethel
Free Throw Champ
Boys: Greg Turner-Bethel-4
Girls: Shelby Burman-Nikiski-4
Three Point Champ
Boys: Ethan Wheeler-Bethel-18
Girls: Shelby Burman-Nikiski-7
Hot Shot Competition
Boys: Homer-34
Girls: Bethel-22
Post-Up Player Competition
Boys: Seth Payne-Nikiski-22
Girls: Lexi Cook-Metlakatla-17
