Pushed to perform at their best by a hot-shooting Unalakleet Wolfack team, the Ninilchik Wolverines battled to a 77-57 victory in the Friday night winner’s-bracket game at the ASAA 2A State Basketball Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.
Ninilchik advances to the 2A championship game on Saturday scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Broadcast of the 2A Boys championship will be on ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and streamed live at radiokenai.com.
Ninilchik 77 – Unalakleet 57
The Wolverines trailed 14-4 six minutes into the semi-final on Friday to the Wolfpack and closed 16-10 after one quarter. Ninilchik’s defense pushed the Wolverines to a 32-27 halftime lead generating eight turnovers and holding the Wolfpack to only three offensive rebounds. Lukah Kalugin carried the Wolverines on offense in the first half scoring 17 points, including three, three-point baskets and 4 for 4 from the free throw line.
After an even third quarter, Ninilchik’s offensive caught fire for a 30-point finial quarter lead by Landon Coburn’s 12 points in the fourth as the Wolverines won going-away 77-57. The defense forced 21 turnovers, 13 in the second half.
For the game, Ninilchik shot 33 percent in the first half and 52 percent in the second half. From three point range, the Wolverines were 3 of 14 in the first half and 7 of 14 in the second half.
Lukah Kalugin scored 24 and Landon Coburn scored 23 points; Cole Moore added 17 including three 3’s in the fourth quarter. Unalakleet’s Cody Ivanoff led all scorers with 29 points.
2A Boys Championship
Ninilchik play Metlakatla in the ASAA 2A Boys State Championship Game on Saturday, March 19th at 8:30 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center.
Broadcast of the 2A Boys championship will be on ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and streamed live at radiokenai.com.
