by Greg Lincoln
Congratulations to Coaches Robert and Eva Panruk and to their team, the Chefornak Shamans for winning the 2017 State 1A Basketball Sportsmanship Award for the boys. This award is given to the team that is positive in supporting each other and others with encouragement while refraining from words or actions that would reflect negatively on their school and team.
This team graciously accepted all calls made by the refs without complaining. They made sure to encourage their teammates through victory and in defeat. When the other team was down, they helped them get back up. And when the ball was on the floor after a whistle, they were quick to get it and hand it to the refs.
Since 1993, the boys Sportsmanship Team Award has been bestowed upon teams from the YK delta region a total of 11 times. Chefornak now joins Scammon Bay (1993), Kwigillingok (1997), Kotlik (2000), Chevak (2001), Aniak (2003 & 2006), Russian Mission (2005), and Toksook Bay (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016).
We are so proud of you!
The ladies Sportsmanship Award was given to the Sand Point Eagles.
This year the academic awards went to the Buckland Sissuani boys who had a total combined GPA of 3.58. For the girls it was the Gambell Qughsatkut or King Polar Bears who had a GPA of 3.77.
The all-tournament team winners were selected by ASAA sponsors. The girls from the YK region who received this award are Hayley Akeralrea and Kiah Charlie of Scammon Bay, Celina Johnson of St. Mary’s, and Shauna Koonuk of Aniak. For the boys it was Jamal Alstrom of Alakanuk, and Wally Flynn of Chefornak. Good job, well done!
Class 1A All-Tournament Team
Girls
Hayley Akerelrea, Scammon Bay
Jacqueline Bennum, Kake
Kiah Charlie, Scammon Bay
Olivia Delgado, Ninilchik
Jalaya Duarte, King Cove
Vera Fefelov, Nikolaevsk
Marjorie Hingsbergen, Selawik
Shaylynn Hingsbergen, Selawik
Celina Johnson, St. Mary’s
Olivia Juhl, Tri-Valley
Shauna Koonuk, Aniak
Elaina Mack, King Cove
Kylah Melton, Buckland
Madison Thompson, Sand Point
Sarah Washington, Buckland
DeeAnn White, Ninilchik
Boys
Jamal Alstrom, Alakanuk
Benjamin Apangalook, Gambell
Josh Clark, Newhalen
Mike Eaglestaff, Hydaburg
Wally Flynn, Chefornak
Dalton Geppert, Ninilchik
Mason Hoppe, Klawock
Ronald Jones, Buckland
Douglas Kalmbacher, Newhalen
Kalenik Molodih, Nikolaevsk
Tyler Presley, Ninilchik
Everson Paniptchuk, Shaktoolik
Ian Samuelson, King Cove
Allen Starr, Tanana
Wallace Ungwiluk, Gambell
Austin White, Ninilchik
2A All-Tournament Team
Boys
Arctic Ivanoff, Unalakleet
Aiden Fields, Glennallen
Stewart Conn, Petersburg
Charlie Tuzroyluk, Point Hope
Danny Marsden, Metlakatla
Wolf Brooks, Petersburg
Christian Adams, Cordova
Matthew Fauasau, Unalaska
Trenton Clark, Metlakatla
Blaine Volk, Petersburg
(The girls 2A all-tournament team was not available)
Gatorade Alaska Players of the Year
Austin White, 1A Ninilchik
Alissa Pili, 4A Dimond High School
These awards were given out at the end of the tournament on March 18th. Congratulations to all our student-athletes!
