The Nikolaevsk Lady Warriors took home the crown in the Nenana Invitational Tournament on Saturday, defeating the home team Lynx 53-42.
Up until the fourth quarter, the game had been very close, as the Warriors led 21-19 at halftime, and 38-37 after three quarters. But Nikolaevsk put the hammer down in the fourth, outscoring Nenana 15-5 and walking off with the victory.
Sophia Kalugin topped Nikolaevsk with 15 points (nine in the first half) and 12 rebounds, and teammate Kayla Stafford had 11 points. Kilina Klaich also chipped in nine points, and Serafima Kalugin and Nianiella Dorvall each added eight. Dorvall grabbed 11 boards as well.
In the boys NIT championship game, the Minto Lakers edged the Nikolaevsk boys 45-42, led by Tajh Washington with 18 points.
Eric Mametieff topped the Warriors with 16 points and 14 boards. Blake Klaich and Anthony Yakunin each added 12 points.
Minto built up a lead in the first half, outscoring Nikolaevsk 12-7 in the first quarter and 12-9 in the second, leading to a 24-16 halftime score. The Warriors then stormed back in the second half with a 13-8 third-quarter effort, but came no closer.
Three local girls were named to the NIT All-Tournament team — Sophia Kalugin and Kilina Klaich from Nikolaevsk, and Melissa Ehlers from Ninilchik.
Nianiella Dorvall from Nikolaevsk was named the tournament MVP.
For the boys All-Tournament team, Blake Klaich and Eric Mametieff of Nikolaevsk were named, as well as Jack Wheeler from Ninilchik.
In the girls third-place game, Susitna Valley topped Ninilchik 34-18. Sarena Drover and Emily Hartley had nine points for the Rams, while Melissa Ehlers had eight for the Wolverines. In the boys third-place game, Huslia topped Ninilchik 48-44. Joe Bitett had 16 points for Huslia, while Sam Mireles and Jack Wheeler each had 13 for Ninilchik.
Nikolaevsk boys 67, Kalskag 29
In Tuesday hoops action, the host Nikolaevsk Warriors rolled to a nonconference victory over Kalskag.
Neil Gordeev had 16 points for the Warriors, while Anatoli Fefelov and Blake Klaich had 14 and Nikit Fefelov had 10. For Kalskag, Joey Davis had 11 points, while Ronnie Kerr added 10.
Nikolaevsk girls 41, Homer JV 26
The host Warriors, without their two juniors, took on the Homer junior varsity and triumphed Tuesday. Nadja Gordeev had 12 points for the Warriors, while Madison Akers had 12 for Homer.
Nikolaevsk 67, Kalskag 29
Kalskag 8 6 6 9 —29
Nikolaevsk 19 16 30 2 —67
KALSKAG (29) — Davis 4 3-4 11, A. Hetherington 1 0-0 3, Levi 0 0-0 0, B. Hetherington 1 0-0 3, Kerr 5 0-1 10, Gordeev 1 0-0 2. Totals — 12 3-5 29.
NIKOLAEVSK (67) — Lasiter 1 0-0 2, Trail 0 0-0 0, A. Fefelov 5 4-5 14, Yakunin 2 0-0 5, Holub 2 0-0 4, N. Fefelov 2 0-0 10, Klaich 6 1-2 14, Gordeev 8 0-0 16, Mametieff 1 0-0 2. Totals — 29 5-7 67.
3-point goals — Kalskag 2 (A. Hetherington, B. Hetherington); Nikolaevsk 4 (N. Fefelov 2, Yakunin, Klaich). Team fouls — Kalskag 9, Nikolaevsk 10. Fouled out — none.
Warriors 41, Mariners JV 26
Homer JV 4 8 8 10 —26
Nikolaevsk 11 9 10 11 —41
HOMER JV (26) — Gherman 0 0-0 0, Draves 1 0-1 2, Turner 1 0-0 2, Walls 1 0-0 2, Akers 4 4-11 12, Waclawski 3 0-2 6, Kann 1 0-0 2, Davis 0 0-0 0, Brown 0 0-1 0. Totals — 11 4-15 26.
NIKOLAEVSK (41) — Klaich 2 2-5 7, Jones 0 0-0 0, Tipikin 0 0-0 0, Stafford 2 5-6 9, Kalugin 2 1-2 5, N. Gordeev 5 2-2 12, E. Gordeev 0 0-0 0, Hickman 4 0-0 8. Totals — 15 10-15 41.
3-point goals — Nikolaevsk 1 (Klaich). Team fouls — Homer JV 12, Nikolaevsk 14. Fouled out — Kalugin.
