The first round of the Cook Inlet Conference basketball tournament came to a close Thursday at West High, with the South girls and West boys both picking up convincing wins and advancing to Friday's semifinals.
The South girls steadily pulled away for a 57-42 win over East and the West boys pummeled South 74-31.
The South girls used big second and third quarters, and a game-high 24 points from Sabrina Ungaro, to take out the Thunderbirds. Ungaro made 9 of 10 free throws, and added nine rebounds and three steals.
Taylor Murray finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for South, which outscored East 21-12 in the second quarter and led by nine at the break. Zulai Cole was the third South player to rack nine rebounds.
East, paced by 18 points from Taria Page, scored just five points in the third period as the Wolverines pulled away. Fiti Manu secured a game-high 12 rebounds for the Thunderbirds.
The West boys didn't waste much time taking command against South. The Eagles outscored the Wolverines 25-4 in the first quarter and 26-9 in the second quarter. Nine players scored for West, with Deandre Wilson and Hugh Geay each furnishing 17 points. I.K. Oghide added 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds for the Eagles.
Louis Page led South with 15 points and six rebounds.
Cook Inlet Conference tournament
At West High
First-round results
Girls
South 57, East 42
Bartlett 60, Eagle River 37
Dimond 65, Service 16
West 75, Chugiak 53
Boys
West 74, South 31
Service 102, Chugiak 68
East 79, Bartlett 64
Eagle River 62, Dimond 52
Friday's semifinals
Girls
3 p.m. -- West vs. Bartlett
6 p.m. -- Dimond vs. South
Boys
4:30 p.m. -- East vs. Eagle River
7:30 p.m. -- Service vs. West
Western Conference
The Class 3A Western Conference basketball tournament began at Dimond High on Thursday, with Barrow and Nome girls earning wins to go with a wins for the Nome and Bethel boys.
The Barrow girls rolled to a 69-31 win over Bethel and the Nome girls raced by Kotzebue 52-40. The Nome boys more than doubled Kotzebue's offensive output with a 62-30 win. Because there are only four teams in each bracket, Thursday's winning teams advanced to Friday's championship games.
Four players scored in double figures for the Barrow girls. Hilary Lowery leading the way with 17 points, Lynette Hepa and Angela Miguel each notched 16, and Dana Chrestman hit for 11.
Shayla and Dylan Johnson powered the Nome girls, Shayla racking 16 points and Dylan depositing 15.
The Nome boys used a big game from Dominique Hall to cruise. Hall scored all 17 of his points before the fourth quarter began. Tyler Eide nailed three 3-pointers on his way to 14 points for Nome.
The Bethel boys prospered behind 12 points from Theodore Naneng and 11 from Brett Smith.
Western Conference tournament
At Dimond High
Thursday's first round results
Girls
Barrow 69, Bethel 31
Nome 52, Kotzebue 40
Boys
Nome 62, Kotzebue 30
Bethel 59, Barrow 41
Friday's schedule
Girls
2:30 p.m. -- Bethel vs. Kotzebue (consolation)
6 p.m. -- Nome vs. Barrow (championship)
Boys
4 p.m. -- Kotzebue vs. Barrow (consolation)
8 p.m. -- Nome vs. Bethel (championship)
Northern Lights Conference tournament
Thursday's results
Girls
Colony 45, Kenai 27
Soldotna 49, Palmer 39
Boys
Kodiak 76, Kenai 57
Soldotna 67, Wasilla 36
Southcentral Conference tournament
Thursday's results
Girls
Nikiski 39, Cordova 26
ACS 60, Skyview 15
Seward 51, Grace 30
Houston 55, Homer 34
Boys
Grace 64, Nikiski 39
Houston 49, Skyview 44
Seward 39, Cordova 35
ACS 69, Homer 32
Anchorage Daily News
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