Defending state champion Tikigaq advances in Class 2A girls tournament

Unalakleet and Craig pulled off upsets Thursday to join Nenana and defending champion Tikigaq in the winners bracket at the Class 2A girls state basketball tournament.

Unalakleet upended second-seeded Wrangell 58-55, and Craig stunned Cordova 52-26 in first-round action at the Alaska Airlines Center. In other first-round games, top-seeded Tikigaq overwhelmed Scammon Bay 57-34 and Nenana, the No. 3 seed, rolled past Unalaska 46-33.

Unalakleet rode a big third quarter to victory. The Wolfpack, who trailed 31-28 at the half, outscored Wrangell 18-8 to orchestrate the upset.

They led 46-39 going into the fourth quarter, giving them just enough cushion to survive a Wrangell comeback in the fourth quarter.

Jewel Wilson and Summer Sagoonick delivered huge games for Unalakleet. Wilson finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and five steals, and Sagoonick was good for 11 points, five rebounds and five steals.

Wrangell got a lift from Kaylyn Easterly’s 21 points, which came on 9-of-17 shooting. Maddy Harding and Abigail Gerald combined for another 11 points.

Unalakleet will play Nenana in the semifinal round. Nenana tripped Unalaska behind Julie Frankson’s 18 points, seven rebounds and six steals. Ashley Agwiak added 10 points for the Wolves. Leading Unalaska were Hailey Wilson (9 points, 10 rebounds) and Kayla Villamor (14 points).

Craig stunned Cordova by racing to a 20-4 lead in the first quarter. Kennedy Stumpf carried Craig with 18 points, seven rebounds and six steals, and Ashley Hanson tossed in 10 points. Cordova was led by Riley Butler, who scored 10 points and hauled down eight rebounds.

Balanced scoring boosted Tikigaq in its win over Scammon Bay. Nichole Hank had a double-double for the Harpoonerettes with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Makaya Lane racked up eight points and 12 rebounds, Angela Lane had 19 points and Bridgett Oviok had 10 points. Scammon Bay’s Adam Kaganek dropped in 19 points.

ASAA March Madness Alaska

Thursday’s Results

Nenana 46, Unalaska 33

Unalakleet 58, Wrangell 55

Tikigaq 57, Scammon Bay 34

Craig 52, Cordova 26

Friday’s Games

Consolation

11 a.m. — Unalaska vs. Wrangell

12:30 p.m. — Scammon Bay vs. Cordova

Semifinals

6:30 p.m. — Nenana vs. Unalakleet

8 p.m. — Tikigaq vs. Craig