Dimond girls off to good start at Class 4A basketball tournament

Ten players collected rebounds, nine provided points, six got steals and six handed out assists to lift the top-seeded Dimond Lynx girls basketball team to an easy victory Thursday in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament.

The Lynx roared to an early lead and never looked back in a 58-28 rout of the West Eagles.

In other games at the Alaska Airlines Center, East topped Ketchikan 60-48, Colony nipped West Valley 47-41 and defending state champion Wasilla beat Chugiak 53-42.

Jahnna Hajdukovich and Alissa Pili combined for 31 points for the Lynx, who raced to a 19-5 lead in the opening eight minutes. Hajdukovich made 6 of 10 shots from the field for 16 points, and Pili hit all six of her field-goal attempts for 15 points.

Pili, the Gatorade Player of the Year, added eight rebounds.

West got a lift from Nene Johns, who chalked up 10 points and eight rebounds.

East 60, Ketchikan 48

East's defense came up with 21 steals to take care of Ketchikan 60-48.

The second-seeded T-birds enjoyed big games from several players. Azaria Robinson hit 12 of 18 shots for a game-high 24 points to go with five steals, Daisy Page provided 12 points, eight rebounds and six steals, and Skye Miller had 13 points, eight assists and five steals.

Ketchikan, the No. 6 seed, chipped away at a 14-point halftime deficit by outscoring East 21-16 in the third quarter but couldn't keep the momentum in the fourth quarter. Brittany Slick knocked down four triples to lead the Kings with 18 points.

Colony 47, West Valley 41

Abby Kenley's 11 points led a balanced scoring attack that carried fifth-seeded Colony past fourth-seeded West Valley 47-41.

Five players scored eight or more points for the Knights, who outscored West Valley 11-6 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

West Valley, which hurt itself with 18 turnovers, was led by Ellen Silva's 11 points and seven rebounds.

Wasilla 53, Chugiak 42

Olivia Davies lifted Wasilla in every way imaginable, chalking up 15 points, seven assists, six steals, four blocks, four rebounds and two turnovers in 32 minutes of play.

Chasity Horn poured in 20 points and had five steals for Chugiak, which was buried in a 21-5 hole in the first quarter.

Cheyenne Green posted 13 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes before fouling out and Azlynn Brandenberg chipped in 12 points for Wasilla.