by Greg Lincoln
The Scammon Bay Eagles hosted their annual Kick Off Klassic basketball tournament featuring local and regional ball teams from as far away as Huslia, Minto and Wainwright this past weekend. Teams participating included Chefornak, Chevak, Hooper Bay, Minto, Napaskiak, Toksook Bay, Wainwright (Alak), and the host Eagles team of Scammon Bay.
The Napaskiak Lady Hawks, a 1A team representing the Alaska Coastal Conference and the Minto Lakers, also a 1A team representing the Golden Heart Conference were the undefeated champions of the tournament.
The Chefornak Shamans were awarded the Sportsmanship trophy.
On opening day quarterfinals Hooper Bay, Napaskiak, Minto, and Scammon Bay won their first games and advanced to the semis on the girls bracket. For the boys Hooper Bay, Chevak, Minto, and Huslia won their first games and continued on to the semifinals.
The Lady Hawks defeated the Chevak Lady Comets, a 2A team, in a close contest 49-44 sending them to the consolation bracket. They played the Lady Warriors of Hooper Bay in the semifinals and winning 57-45. Napaskiak won the tournament by defeating the Minto Lady Lakers who had only 5 players, 70-56.
For the boys, the Minto Lakers won over the Toksook Bay Islanders on Day 1. They defeated their Golden Heart conference counterparts, the Huslia Hustlers in the semis. On Day 3 they played the Chevak Comets to win the tournament, 50-38.
A special award was given to Palmer Bailey of Bethel’s KYKD Radio, “the Voice of Scammon Bay’s Kickoff Klassic”, who announced the games during the tournament. He was honored with a standing ovation. The award trophies were beautiful handmade wooden plaques made by Peter George.
Kick Off Klassic Results
Scammon Bay, AK
January 8-11, 2025
Girls Results
1st Napaskiak Hawks
2nd Minto Lakers
3rd Scammon Bay Eagles
MVP: Hilary Larson, Napaskiak
Free Throw: Agnes Aguchak
3-Pt: Kayla Baker, Minto
All Tournament Team
Adaline Samuelson, Napaskiak
Daisymae Tunutmoak, Scammon Bay
Cali Hill, Chevak
Susie Long, Hooper Bay
Tayla Baker, Minto
Boys Results
1st Minto
2nd Chevak
3rd Hooper Bay
MVP: Jonathon David, Minto
Free Throw: Kaden Joe, Hooper Bay
3-Pt: Jonathan David, Minto
All Tournament Team
Asher Titus, Minto
Liam Green, Chevak
Dallas Kaganak, Scammon Bay
Billy Smith, Hooper Bay
Falagai Laumea, Chefornak
Sportsmanship Award
Chefornak Shamans
***
Next up is the Chevak Hoopfest that begins January 29th, 2025 featuring teams from Alakanuk, Dillingham, Chefornak, Newtok/Mertarvik, Tuluksak, Toksook Bay, Scammon Bay, Tuntutuliak, St. Mary’s, and the host team the Chevak Comets.
