The Kenai Kardinal boys defeated the Colony JV boys early Saturday afternoon and then waited until early evening to claim the boys championship at the 2022 Rus Hitchcock Nikiski Tip-Off Basketball Tournament.
Boys Championship Breakdown
The Kenai boys finished 2-1 in tournament play following a 47-28 win over the Knights. The Nikiski boys battled Bethel through double-overtime Saturday to defeat the Warriors 44-36.
With three teams tied with 2-1 records-Kenai, Nikiski and Bethel-the tiebreaker of points allowed favored Kenai, secured through a late-three point basket to close the scoring in the Bulldog victory over Bethel.
In the Nikiski – Bethel game, a win for Bethel and the Warriors finish 3-0 and win the tournament. A Nikiski win allowing under 35 points and the Bulldogs win the tournament. When the final buzzer sounded, Nikiski topped Bethel in double-overtime 44-36 and a final three-point basket by Bethel crowns Kenai as champions.
Saturday Boys Game Results
Kenai 47 – Colony JV 28
Caleb Litke scored 11 to lead the Kardinals to a 47-28 victory as Kenai posted a 2-1 record.
Nikiski 44 – Bethel 36 2OT
Nikiski finished tournament play at 2-1 with a 44-36 double-overtime victory over Bethel to close the Nikiski Tip-Off Tournament.
The Bulldogs recorded only one field goal in the final nine minutes of regulation and through eight minutes of overtime. Nikiski controlled the tempo and the ball throughout the final 16 minutes of play. The Bulldogs shot 13 of 20 from the free throw line to closed the game.
Tied 30-30 in regulation, both teams scored one field goal and one free throw in the first overtime. The second overtime belonged to the Nikiski defense as the Bulldogs allowed only one field goal, the tournament-deciding, three-point shot. The Bulldogs scored 11 points, all from the free throw line.
Brady Bostic lead the Bulldogs with 19 points.
