By Norm Anderson 

for the Homer News

Mariner JV Coach Doug Waclawski led his Lady Mariners to a second place finish at last weekend’s Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off Tournament at Soldotna. The Mariners showed double digit victories against the Wasilla Warriors and the Dimond Lynx before falling short to the Seward Seahawks in Saturday’s championship game of the eight-team tournament.

“We came out slow and had a lot of turnovers, but played good defense,” said Coach Waclawski about their first game against the Warriors. 

Despite a -11 assist/turnover ratio, the Mariners were able to steal the ball 22 times to create offensive fast-breaks. Sophomore Tayla Cabana led the Mariners with 14 points,
8 steals, and 8 rebounds on their way to a 47-32 win. 

The next day they took on Dimond High School with a full-court press from the beginning, resulting in 20 steals and a 41-19 victory. The Mariners out rebounded the Lynx 33-17.  

Tayla Cabana and Meghan Gee each pitched in 9 in the winning effort for Homer. 

The championship game featured Homer and Seward in a defensive game that was won at the free-throw line. Regardless of the six-point lead the Mariners had with just minutes left, the Seahawks sprouted a comeback due to their 18 steals on the night. 

After a missed opportunity to seal the game with free-throws, the Mariners then gave up the game winning free throws to fasten their fate, giving them second place awards at the 2012 Sohi Tip-Off Tournament. 

Homer’s Madison Akers was selected to the
All-Tournament team for her play this weekend. 

The Lady Mariners head to two tournaments this weekend as the JV travel to Chugiak and the Varsity to Anchorage to take part in the Grace Christian Tournament. Action begins today and ends Saturday night.