Sharp-shooting Lumen Christi will play for its first state basketball championship Saturday at Palmer High.
The Archangels shot 44% from the floor in a 66-48 semifinal victory over Shaktoolik in the semifinal round of the Class 1A boys tournament Friday at Wasilla High.
They’ll meet Tanana in the 3 p.m. championship game at Palmer High. Tanana came from behind to squeak past Tanalian 59-57 in Friday’s other semifinal.
In the girls semifinal games at Wasilla High, Newhalen cruised past Brevig Mission 70-26 and Shishmaref rode a big second half to a 51-35 win over Klawock.
Newhalen and Shishmaref will meet in Saturday’s 1 p.m title game.
Three of the four finalists are vying for their first state title. The Newhalen girls have won three championships, with their most recent one coming in 2012.
Boys semifinals
Lumen Christi 66, Shaktoolik 48 -- Robert Wilcox didn’t miss a field goal on his way to 16 points and teammate Noah Cruz dropped in 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the floor and 5 of 6 shooting from the foul line for the sharp-shooting Archangels.
A day after they shot 57% in a first-round victory, the Archangels hit 23 of 52 shots, including 21 of 35 inside the arc.
Daniel Bennett added 16 points and Brenden Gregory had 10, and Bennett and Wilcox both supplied eight rebounds. Lumen Christi sealed the win with a 19-10 run in the fourth quarter.
Shaktoolik was led by Dean Paniptchuk’s 17 points and Marcus Evan’s 11. The Wolverines were outscored 18-5 at the free throw line.
Tanana 59, Tanalian 57 -- Tanana dug its way out of an early hole and Anthony Kennedy drilled five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 27 points for the Wolves.
Savien Linnear tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds and five steals and Michael Roberts chipped in 11 points for the Tanana, which trailed by eight points after the first quarter.
Tanalian shot 52% from the floor to grab a 31-27 halftime lead but faded to 30% in the second half while being outscored 32-26. The Lynx led 46-39 after three quarters, but Tanana dominated the fourth quarter, 20-11.
Daniel Wardell led Tanalian with 23 points and eight steals. Isaac Fowler had 15 points and Turner Taff added 11 points and seven rebounds.
Consolation round
A trio of double-doubles carried Klawock past the Upriver Hunters 83-57. Propelling the Chieftans were Nevan Yockey (32 points, 17 rebounds), Taan Smith (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Marley Ness (16 points, 16 rebounds). The Upriver Hunters were led by Julian Pungalik’s 26 points and Bryant Sun’s 17 points, eight rebounds and seven steals.
Buckland beat Pilot Station 70-56 behind Eric Geary’s 15 points and 14 rebounds. Louis Hadley added 13 points and seven rebounds and Kelden Melton had 11 points and six rebounds for Buckland. Pilot Station was led by Devon Heckman (20 points, 12 rebounds), Patrick Polty (13 points) and Patrick Fitka (11 rebounds).
Girls semifinals
Shishmaref 51, Klawock 35 -- After a low-scoring first half, Shishmaref caught fire in the second half. Trailing 17-14 at the half, the Northern Lights seized control by swamping Klawock 17-4 in the third quarter and coasted from there.
Timary Stenek’s 11 points and nine rebounds led Shishmaref. Tricia Weyanna also had 11 points, and Vicki Olanna and Autumn Barr both dropped in 10. Barr also contributed seven rebounds and three blocks.
Klawock got a lift from Kenai Holien’s 15 points and nine rebounds.
Newhalen 70, Brevig Mission 26 -- In a meeting between Malamutes and Huskies, Johnna Nanalook pumped in 27 points to power Newhalen, which outscored Brevig Mission 58-16 after a close first quarter.
Aileen Lester helped out with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Keisha Analon supplied 15 points and six steals for the Malamutes.
Brevig Mission’s Alaina Pete finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five steals.
Consolation round
Lumen Christi received double figures from three players in a 51-49 win over Tri-Valley, whose fourth-quarter comeback fell short. Amara Warren had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Emily Ross had 14 points and six steals and Leyla Tiernan had 11 points, nine rebounds and eight steals for the Archangels. Tri-Valley, which trailed by 14 after three quarters was led by Breanna Mayo (20 points, 9 steals) and Ayla Walker (12 points, 11 rebounds).
Buckland’s Bethany Ticket poured in 25 shots on 10 of 14 shooting to help her team overwhelm Alakanuk 73-33. Ava Jones added 15 points and eight steals and Kiah Melton chipped in eight points and eight rebounds. Alakanuk was paced by Karen Patrick’s 13 points and six rebounds.
ASAA March Madness
Class 1A boys
Friday’s semifinals
Tanana 59, Tanalian 57
Lumen Christi 66, Shaktoolik 48
Friday’s consolation games
Klawock 83, Upriver 57
Buckland 70, Pilot Station 56
Saturday’s championship game
3 p.m. -- Tanana vs. Lumen Christi, Palmer High
Class 1A girls
Friday’s semifinals
Newhalen 70, Brevig Mission 26
Shishmaref 69, Klawock 49
Friday’s consolation games
Lumen Christi 51, Tri-Valley 49
Buckland 73, Alakanuk 33
Saturday’s championship game
1 p.m. -- Newhalen vs. Shishmaref, Palmer High