The 2024 Donlin Gold Basketball Tournament has its champions. Winning first are the Homer Lady Mariners and the Valdez Buccaneers. Coming in second are both Bethel Lady Warriors and the Warriors.
On Saturday, games continued with the Homer Mariners vs. the Unalakleet Wolfpack both boys and girls games. The Wolfpack defeated the Mariners 75-63. Unalakleet’s Paxson Commack scored in the game. His teammates Trevin Soderstorm and Isaac Smith both sunk 12. Also scoring for the Wolfpack were Josh Smith, Brisol Burress, and Trenton Towarak. For Homer Spencer Dye scored 21, CJ Burns shot 20, and Nathan Overson sunk 12. Also scoring for the Mariners were Riley Hoffman, Lucas Story, and Einer Pederson.
For the girls, the Homer Lady Mariners were victorious over the Unalakleet Lady Wolfpack, 62-45. Minadora Reutov of Homer scored 17, Channing Lowney made 16, and Sydney Shelby sunk 12. Also scoring were Juliann Techie, Lillie Mae Kuhn, Mally Im, Keggan Niebahr, and Madalynn Miotke. For Unalakleet, Raleen Bradley scored 26, Violet Jack made 8. Also scoring for the Lady Wolfpack were Lizabeth Ivanoff, Keely Johnson, Cedar Busk, and Ourea Busk.
The tournament concluded with Valdez vs. the host team Warriors. The boys played first with Valdez coming out on top 50-36. Scoring 22 was Tino Tucker for the Buccaneers. Jarrett Gage made 16. Also making buckets were Grayson Ade, Owen Watson, and Kian St. Amand. For Bethel Greg Turner scored 13 and Ethan Wheeler made 10. Also scoring here Madden Cockroft, Paul Dyment, and Ellison Johnson.
The final game of the tournament was played between the host team Lady Warriors and the Lady Buccaneers of Valdez. Valdez won by 1 point, 42-41. Valdez trailed behind the first three quarters, then caught up and won in the 4th scoring 20 points in the frame. Destiny Day of the Lady Buccaneers made some last second free throws to seal the win. She scored 16, her teammate Lola Compahos made 17. Also scoring were Rylee Wade, Hali Fitka, and Sofia Ramos. Kyana Harpak scored 13 for the Lady Warriors, Payton Boney made 7, and Allie Alexie and Isabel Lieb both scored 6. Also making baskets were Brielle Herron and Malinda Simon.
Donlin Gold Basketball Tournament Awards
Girls Results
1st Homer Lady Mariners
2nd Bethel Lady Warriors
Free Throw Champ: Sydney Cronk, Valdez
Big Man/Post Champ: Ashlynn Lonewolf, Bethel
3 Pt. Champ: Channing Lowney, Homer
Boys Results
1st Valdez Buccaneers
2nd Bethel Warriors
Free Throw Champ: Einer Pederson, Homer
Big Man/Post Champ: Aaron Mute, Bethel
3 Pt. Champ: Greg Turner, Bethel
