Charlie leads Gold to all-star romp

Kia Charlie with her parents after winning state championship basketball.

by Tommy Wells

Kia Charlie went into the 2017 Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches 2017 Class 1A/2A Senior All-Star Game as one of the state’s most recognizable players. Fresh from leading the Scammon Bay Lady Eagles to their second straight Class 1A state title, Charlie never missed a beat as a member of the Gold All-Stars on Saturday.

Despite playing with teammates she had never played with before, Charlie continued to impress. The diminutive point guard threw in a game-high 27 points and led the Gold All-Stars to an easy 96-64 victory.

Only days after signing a collegiate scholarship, Charlie proved that she was among the state’s best players with an all-around performance against some of the state’s top seniors. En route to scoring 27 points, she hit on 11 of her 16 shots from the floor, including five from behind the three-point arc. She also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists.

Anaktuvuk Pass standout Kristen Morry also did well, scoring 13 points.

Scamming Bay’s Danae Ulak also participated in the all-star showcase. She collected two rebounds and two assists for the Blue squad.

While Charlie and Ulak were starring in the girls’ 1A/2A all-star tilt, Bethel Regional High School’s Jayvin Willams was proving himself among the best in the state in the boys’ 3A/4A all-star matchup.

A driving force in Bethel’s ability to advance to the Class 3A state tournament this season, Williams scored nine points and pulled down three rebounds in just 13 minutes and 24 seconds of play for the Gold All-Stars.

Despite Williams’ efforts, the Blue All-Stars claimed a 116-104 victory.

Kotzebue standout Bish Gallahorn scored 11 to help lead the Blue offense, Barrow’s Trevor Thomas added 15, including nine from behind the three-point line.