by Greg Lincoln
photo courtesy of Simeon Lincoln
The Hooper Bay Warriors hosted their annual Bering Sea Classic, an invitational basketball tournament this past weekend following their winning first place at the Nenana Invitational Tournament, or the NIT. The Hooper Bay boys defeated the Tanana Wolves by a buzzer beater.
Teams participating in the event included the Alakanuk Braves, Chevak Comets, Dillingham Wolverines, Emmonak Huskies, Kotlik Falcons, Toksook Bay Islanders, Scammon Bay Eagles, St. Mary’s Eagles, and the host team, the Hooper Bay Warriors.
It is good to see our communities and schools being proactive in continuing with sports for our student athletes.
Winning the tournament for the boys were the Toksook Bay Islanders. The girls from Hooper Bay – the 2021 2A State Champions – won the girls bracket.
On the boys bracket, it boiled down to three teams – Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, and Toksook Bay. The Three Bays. I saw a nice photo of the three Bay coaches sitting together like best buddies entitled, Battle of the Bays. I thought that had a nice ring to it.
During opening round, Chevak Lady Comets defeated the Toksook Bay Lady Islanders. Scammon Bay defeated Dillingham, Emmonak beat St. Mary’s, and Hooper Bay won over Alakanuk. In the semifinals, Chevak advanced over Scammon Bay, and Hooper Bay defeated Emmonak. Hooper Bay beat Chevak to play in the championship game with the consolation bracket winner.
On the consolation side for the ladies, Toksook Bay beat St. Mary’s, Scammon Bay, and Dillingham but fell to Chevak. Dillingham won over Alakanuk and Emmonak but fell to the Islanders. The Lady Comets lost to Hooper Bay in Saturday’s championship game.
On the boys’ side, Chevak and Toksook played in the opening round with Toksook – the eventual tournament champion – advancing. Scammon Bay also defeated Dillingham to move forward. Emmonak beat St. Mary’s, and Hooper Bay won over Kotlik.
Semifinals pitted Toksook Bay against Scammon Bay and Emmonak against Hooper Bay. Scammon Bay defeated the Islanders and Hooper Bay defeated Emmonak. Hooper Bay awaited the winner of the consolation bracket to see who they would be playing in the championship game.
On the consolation bracket, Dillingham defeated Chevak and Emmonak before falling to the Islanders. St. Mary’s won their game against Kotlik before losing to Toksook. Dillingham played Toksook and lost. It was now either Toksook Bay or Scammon Bay boys who would head to the final championship game. In the semifinals Scammon Bay had defeated the Toksook team 85-71, but could they do it again?
Not this time. Toksook was able to secure the win against Scammon Bay 89-81 to play in the championship. Hooper Bay Warriors lost by one point, 58-57 and the Islanders were named the tournament winners. Good job everyone.
2022 Bering Sea Classic Basketball Tournament
February 10-12, 2022 in Hooper Bay
Girls
1st: Hooper Bay Lady Warriors
2nd: Chevak Lady Comets
3rd: Toksook Bay Islanders
Boys
1st: Toksook Bay Islanders
2nd: Hooper Bay Warriors
3rd: Scammon Bay Eagles
