by K.J. Lincoln
The Bethel Warrior basketball team took on the Nome Nanooks, Thursday, March 8th, 2018 on opening night of the 3A Western Conference finals in Anchorage. The final score was 54-35.
Bethel fans filled the DimondDome to cheer on their teams along with the Warrior cheer team.
John Fredericks scored a team high of 18 for the Warriors. Clevon Constantine made 14, and Ray Daniel and Darrell Garrison both scored 7.
The score was 25 Warriors, 14 Nanooks at the half.
In the 3rd quarter, Nome trying to avoid an over-and-back call lost possession when Jamin Crow of the Warriors scooped it up and made a layup for 2 points. Shortly after John Fredericks also made a layup off of the fastbreak for Bethel.
In 4th quarter action, the Warrior boys subbed in some fresh players. Avery Hoffman made a steal and made a beeline for the basket where he made a lefthanded layup for 2 points.
Gareth Hansen scored 12 for the Nanooks. His teammate Harrison Moore had 11.
The Lady Warriors took to the court before the boys. Their contest was with the Kotzebue Huskies. The Huskies won in a close game, 38-36, with Alanna Cromwell scoring 16 points for her team. Payton McConnell scored 11.
Katie Crow scored 13 for the Lady Warriors. Her teammates Courtney Williams and Madisen Smith scored 11 and 8, respectively.
Palmer Bailey of KYKD “Giving the Winds a Mighty Voice” – one of Bethel’s FM stations, announced the both games with his steady, familiar voice.
The score at the half of the exciting girls game was 18-12.
In other earlier 3A Western Conference action, the Barrow Whalers boys team beat the Kotzebue Huskies, 78-37. The Lady Whalers also topped the Nome Nanooks, 48-31.
On Friday, March 9th, the Bethel Warrior girls will play the Nome Nanooks for a chance to advance to the game for second place. If they win, they will play either Barrow or Kotzebue – whoever wins that game.
The Warrior boys have a game with the Barrow Whalers, March 9th. If they win, they will be the 3A Western Regional champions. If they do not, they will play either Kotzebue or Nome for second place.