The Kenai Kardinal girls basketball program closed the ASAA 3A State Basketball Championships with back-to-back victories and a 4th Place finish with a win on Friday over the Sitka Wolves.
The Kenai boys dropped their 4th Place contest to Valdez to close tournament play.
Kenai Girls 29 – Sitka 28
Emma Beck hit a pair of free throws with only seconds remaining to push Kenai past Sitka 29-28 in the 3A Girls 4th Place game.
Kenai trailed 24-23 into the final quarter and allowed only one three-pointer and one free throw in the fourth quarter. Neither team scored through the first four minutes of the final quarter; Kenai took a lead with a Chloe Goldsby basket with an assist from Beck. Sitka led 28-27 when Beck stepped to the line and drained two free throws. One final shot for Sitka missed the mark and the Kenai girls celebrated a 4th Place finish at the state tournament.
For the game, Emma Beck scored 15 points and recorded 19 rebounds.
Valdez Boys 48 – Kenai Boys 44
Valdez rallied from eight points down with a 17-point fourth quarter to defeat the Kardinal boys 48-44 in a game which Kenai lead from the opening tip through the final three minutes. Kenai managed only seven point in the final quarter, entering the fourth with a 35-29 advantage. The Kardinals led 24-21 at the half.
For the game, Jakob Kvasnikoff scored 17 points and Daniel McRorie added nine for Kenai.
The ASAA 3A State Basketball Championships continue play on Saturday, March 25th with the 3rd Place and Championship games. Follow the tournament at asss365.com.
