Homer Alaska - Sports

Both Mariner basketball teams fell to the Kardinals last Wednesday in Kenai. On Thursday, both teams took the Nikiski Bulldogs to overtime and came out victorious.

The lady Mariners, down four players for the game against Kenai, lost 52-19.

With a full squad on Thursday, Homer gals held Nikiski to 7 points in the first half. The Bulldogs came out bombing in the third quarter, racking up 21 points to take a 10-point lead. Homer outscored Nikiski in the fourth to tie the game.

Ashley Ketelle led the way in fourth quarter with 7 points, including 3 clutch free throws at the end. She scored all of the Mariners' points in overtime for a total of 19 for the game. She also had 7 rebounds and 9 steals.

Liz Needham added 9 points, 8 rebounds and 8 steals. Elissa Hutt made 9 rebounds.

Head Coach Dennis Welch said the girls made adjustments to win the game, which ended 39-37.

"The girls started playing tougher defense and their offense is working better. We're halfway through the season so we're going to make the push," he said.

With two injured players and another sick, a 7-man Mariner team lost 48-37 to Kenai on Wednesday.

Both coaches recognized a strong Mariner effort.

"Hats off to Homer," Kenai Head Coach Ken Felchle told the Peninsula Clarion. "They were fired up, and you've got to give them credit. They came out and played hard."

Homer Head Coach Mark Casseri said, "We played fantastic."

They beat Nikiski in 66-59 in overtime.

Sand Point's boys basketball team stopped in for three days of scrimmages with Homer, in which JV team lost three games and the varsity won two. Casseri said the Mariners played better every day.

"That's what we're looking for, just improvement," he said.

"We just played really good ball, played as a team."

The Mariners played Soldotna on Tuesday, and hit the road for Barrow Wednesday.