The Haines boys needed overtime, the Cordova boys required a stunning comeback. The end results were the same as both teams punched their championship-game tickets Friday in the Rally the Regions Hardwood Classic at Dimond High.
In a game they trailed throughout, Cordova caught lightning in a bottle on Kaiden Graves’ 3-pointer to shock Wrangell, 43-38.
Haines needed David Strong’s 3-pointer and four free throws from three other players in overtime to knock out Selawik, 71-69.
Both Cordova and Haines boys teams completed the first three days unbeaten and will play for the championship Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Cordova girls also made the finals, thanks to a second-quarter scoring burst by Abby Bourgeois that helped beat Wrangell 52-42.
In a twist unique to the Rally the Regions tournament, Cordova’s opponent in Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. championship game wasn’t decided until after Friday’s games concluded.
Wrangell and Scammon Bay, both with 2-1 tournament records, competed in a one-minute, 3-point shooting competition with all 12 tournament teams looking on to decide who would play in the title game. Wrangell claimed the final girls berth by making seven 3-pointers to Scammon Bay’s two.
Tournament officials Friday changed the game times for Saturday so the tournament will wrap up earlier in the evening.
Saturday’s games
10 a.m. — Tok vs. Selawik girls
11:30 a.m. — Tok vs. Selawik boys
1 p.m. — Scammon Bay vs. Haines girls
3 p.m. — Wrangell vs. Scammon Bay boys
4:30 p.m. — Wrangell vs. Cordova (girls championship)
6 p.m — Haines vs. Cordova (boys championship)
Friday’s scores
Girls
Selawik 50, Haines 47
Cordova 52, Wrangell 42
Scammon Bay 65, Tok 32
Boys
Haines 71, Selawik 69, OT
Cordova 43, Wrangell 38
Scammon Bay 55, Tok 42