Girls
Seward 39, Nikiski 34
The Nikiski girls lost a tough game against the Seward Seahawks after clawing their way back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Lady Bulldogs managed to pull within three of the Seahawks late in the fourth, but some questionable officiating and timely free throws from Seward spelled the end for Nikiski.
The Bulldogs found themselves in an early hole after they were outscored 15-4 in the first quarter. They were able to play level with the Lady Seahawks’ lead in the second and third quarters and went into the final frame trailing 17-28.
Shelby Burman led Nikiski in the final quarter with five points and four rebounds. Trailing by three points and with 10 seconds to play, the Bulldogs attempted to foul Ava Jagielski, but officials did not blow a whistle for the foul until only 0.6 seconds remained on the clock.
Boys
Seward 76, Nikiski 34
In a near repeat of their earlier season meeting, the Nikiski boys fell big to a formidable Seward Seahawks team led by twin guards Nick and Ben Ambrosiani. The Ambrosiani brothers accounted for a third of the Seahawks’ points and more than half of their rebounds en route to the lopsided victory.
Nikiski fell behind quickly, only managing five points in the first quarter to Seward’s 24. The Bulldogs did make a nice run in the second quarter while the Ambrosiani twins were on the bench, closing to within eight points, but then the afore mention twin killing returned and both teams headed to the locker room with a score of 42-20 at the half.
A big third quarter for Seward put the game on ice, the Seahawks once again putting their thumb on the scale and outscoring the Bulldogs 25-9.
Nikiski was led by freshman Carter Eiter, who finished the game with eight points and two rebounds to go along with a number of impressive hustle plays. Seth Payne finished the game one rebound shy of notching his second double-double of the season.
