by Greg Lincoln
The Alaska Coastal Conference girls division has a brand new champion – the Akiuk Lady Grizzlies. This is the first time in the history of the 35 year tournament that the Lady Grizzlies have won.
And they did it without a gym.
They were ranked #3 in their league, the Kusko-Delta League (Atmautluak, Kasigluk-Akiuk, Kasigluk-Akula, Kwethluk, Oscarville, Napaskiak, Napakiak, and Nunapitchuk).
The Lady Grizzlies also were honored with the highest GPA Award with their 3.5 GPA. They will be representing the Lower Kuskokwim School District and the Alaska Coastal Conference at the 2023 1A Basketball State Championship next week in Anchorage, March 15-18, 2023.
They are coached by Head Coach Peter Nicholas and Assistant Coach Curtis Kassel.
The Lady Grizzlies came close once. In 1994 they lost to the Kwethluk Lady Vikings (now Carayiit).
The Akiuk teams lost their gym to a fire last year.
“The gymnasium closure affected all Akiuk students, especially the basketball teams,” said the Lower Kuskokwim School District in an online post. “However, the LKSD family stood at the ready to help the teams get the practice they needed.”
The Kasigluk-Akula school and the Nunapitchuk School (Anna Tobeluk Memorial School, ATMS) opened their doors to the Akiuk Grizzlies so that they could practice, and they are grateful for the neighborly help.
“The team traveled back and forth between Akula and ATMS on snowmachines and tow sleds to put in the work needed. The determination of the student athletes, their coaches, and the supporting schools offered the Akiuk girls a chance to make it to the state championship.”
On opening day of the tournament, the Lady Grizzlies played the Quinhagak Lady Seahawks. It was the last game of the night. It was a nailbiter barnburner of a game between the Quinhagak Lady Seahawks coached by Gloria Cleveland and the Kasigluk-Akiuk Lady Grizzlies, coached by Peter Nicholas. Akiuk fought hard against Quinhagak’s swarming defense to win 42-39.
Akiuk fans and the Grizzlies mascot rejoiced.
On Day 2 of the tournament the first game for the girls semifinals was between the Chefornak Lady Shamans and the Kasigluk-Akiuk Lady Grizzlies at 3:45pm. The Lady Shamans had defeated the Kipnuk Lady Falcons in round one, 42-34. During the last minutes of this exciting game, the Lady Shamans scored two back to back baskets with tremendous effort to come within 2 points of the Lady Grizzlies. In the final minute, the Lady Grizzlies made 2 baskets sealing their win into the championship round. The score was 45-39.
The girls tournament resumed on Monday, March 6th with the final championship matches that would put the Akiuk Lady Grizzlies in the Alaska Coastal Conference history books. They defeated the Napaskiak Lady Hawks 51-47.
The teams were tied at the end of the first quarter, 8-8, all of Napaskiak’s points came from sophomore Hilary Larson. At the half, the Lady Grizzlies outscored the Lady Hawks 24-17. Teana Pavilla and Denise Kalila of Akiuk scored 9 points via three-pointers in the second quarter.
The Lady Hawks outscored the Lady Grizzlies 18-16 in the third. The score was 40 Akiuk, 35 Napaskiak. Fans were getting antsy in their seats with one more quarter to go. Which team is going to win?
Again the Lady Hawks outscored the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter, 12-11, but the Grizzlies maintained their lead to win by 4 points.
Teana Pavilla and Denise Kalila of Akiuk both hit 3 pointers in the final moments of the game plus a bucket by Jerilyn Berlin.
Annie Lynn Evan of the Lady Hawks was tireless, scoring 17 in the second half for her team. Hilary Larson also hit double digits with 10.
Coach Nicholas during a time out nearing the end of regulation had no words, his only message was the #1 sign with his closed fist and outstretched pointer finger, and his team understood.
When the time ran out the gym erupted into celebration for the Akiuk Lady Grizzlies, the team with no gym. A huge mob of Akiuk fans rushed onto the court to wrap their players in a huge hug. Players, parents, siblings, grandmas, ap’as, fans were overjoyed, some cried, but all were so happy – Akiuk was finally going to state.
The boys championship game was won by the 2022 1A State Champions, the Toksook Bay Islanders. The Islanders, with Head Coach Simeon Lincoln and Assistant Coach Frank Pitka won their first game against the Napaskiak Hawks coached by John Sipary. Toksook won 85-38 on opening day.
Toksook Bay continued their wins by beating the Tuntutuliak Bluejays in the semifinals. The Islanders won the game 90-51. The defending Islander champions advanced to the championship match.
Tuntutuliak, coached by Carlotta Evan, had defeated the Kasigluk-Akiuk Grizzlies coached by Paul Andrew in the opening round, 58-40.
The Chefornak Shamans, coached by Robert Panruk, were up against their Island League counterparts, the Islanders, for the championship. The Shamans had defeated their neighbors, the Kipnuk Falcons coached by Adolph Paul winning by 2 points, 59-57 to advance to the semifinals. The Shamans played the Nunapitchuk Wolves, coached by Wassillie Frank, Shamans won 54-49 to make it to the championship.
The first championship game was for the boys. The Islanders led 16-5 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Shamans kept the Islanders to only 6 points, the score at the half was 22 Islanders, 17 Shamans. By the third quarter the Islanders maintained their lead 35-23.
Three Islanders scored in the double digits, Raymond Chanar had 21 with 15 coming from threes, Brennan Lincoln scored 13, and Charles Maxie had 12. For the Shamans, Matthew Panruk scored 20, Hansen Wiseman had 6, Lebron Walter made 4, and Pelagai Laumea scored 2.
The Islanders along with the Akiuk Lady Grizzlies will be representing the Lower Kuskokwim School District and the Alaska Coastal Conference at the 2023 1A Basketball State Championship next week in Anchorage, March 15-18, 2023.
1A Alaska Coastal Conference Basketball Tournament Awards
Hot Shot Girls
1st: Rosemary Henry, Toksook Bay Lady Islanders
2nd: Carson Miller, Kongiganak Lady Wolverines
Hot Shot Boys
1st: Jeremiah Anaver, Kipnuk Falcons
2nd: Brennan Lincoln, Toksook Bay Islanders
Free Throw Girls
1st: Angela Twitchell, Akiuk Lady Grizzlies
2nd: Candace Beebe, Quinhagak Lady Seahawks
Free Throw Boys
1st: Jason Benn, Nunapitchuk Wolves
2nd: Bryson Anaruk, Kipnuk Falcons
Academic Award
Boys: 3.2 GPA Kipnuk Falcons
Girls: 3.5 GPA Akiuk Lady Grizzlies
Team Awards
Girls
1st: Akiuk Lady Grizzlies
2nd: Napaskiak Lady Hawks
Boys
1st: Toksook Bay Islanders
2nd: Chefornak Shamans
All Tournament Boys Team
Garrett Nicholai – Nunapitchuk; Jarrett Nicholai – Nunapitchuk; Gregory Larson III – Napaskiak; Jeremiah Anaver – Kipnuk; Matthew Panruk – Chefornak; Brennan Lincoln – Toksook Bay; Rex Fox Jr. – Kipnuk; Paul Andrew II – Akiuk; Raymond Chanar – Toksook Bay; Cherish Carson – Nightmute.
All Tournament Girls Team
Candace Beebe – Quinhagak; Nikki Erik – Chefornak; Maegan Miller – Kongiganak; Hillary Larson – Napaskiak; Brody Paul – Kipnuk; Jerilyn Berlin – Akiuk; Chayland Pleasant – Quinhagak; Carson Miller – Kongiganak; Rosemary Henry – Toksook Bay; Dion Panruk – Chefornak.
Sportsmanship Awards (voted by coaches)
Girls: Newtok/Mertarvik Lady Jaegers
Boys: Nightmute Nighthawks
