In pictures: High drama and fast action lead to championships at 2023 state basketball tournaments

Champions were crowned in the 1A and 2A boys and girls basketball tournaments in Anchorage, capping a big week for athletes and fans from across Alaska.

By Marc Lester
Updated: 1 day ago Published: 1 day ago
1A state basketball, tikigaq, metlakatla

Tikigaq celebrates their championship. Tikigaq defeated Metlakatla in the girls 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Athletes, coaches and supporters flooded Anchorage this week for one of the most unique events in Alaska high school athletics. The 1A and 2A tournaments of the ASAA Basketball State Championships, held at the Alaska Airlines Center, drew 48 teams from across the state. Many had so many enthusiastic fans in tow that it seemed like their hometowns nearly emptied for the trip.

The boys and girls tournaments began Wednesday, the field winnowing until trophies were hoisted by the victors on Saturday in front of a rowdy crowd. The Kake boys and the Lumen Christi girls took home 1A titles. In 2A, the Tikigaq girls and Ninilchik boys are bringing home the hardware.

Here’s a look back at the action and excitement of the 2023 small schools hoops tournaments in photos.

1A state basketball, kake, aniak

Kake’s Dominic Ross helps cut down the net after the victory. Kake defeated Aniak in the boys 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, Shaktoolik, Lumen Christi

Lumen Christi’s Natalie Grubba takes a shot. Lumen Christi beat Shaktoolik in the girls 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, Shaktoolik, Lumen Christi

Lumen Christi players are introduced at the games start. Shaktoolik faced Lumen Christi in the girls 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A basketball state tournament

Newhalen’s Aileen Lester takes a shot as Kake’s Paige Ross, left, and Jillian Jackson defend during the 1A basketball state tournament in Anchorage on March 15, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, Shaktoolik, Lumen Christi

Shaktoolik head coach Stacey Paniptchuk leaves the ground near her team’s bench in the first half. Shaktoolik faced Lumen Christi in the girls 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Tatum Rozak of Cook Inlet Academy looks for a pass from the floor in a game against Tanalian on March 16, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, ninilchik

Tikigaq coach Teddy Frankson cheers his team’s first half performance. Tikigaq faced Ninilchik in the boys 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

From left, Ebba Paniptchuk, Matilda Hardy and Edna Savetilik cheer the Shaktoolik girls in their 1A game against Cook Inlet Academy on March 17, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Metlakatla’s Bree Chavez rests in the locker room at halftime of the 2A semifinal game against Su Valley on March 17, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball, Shishmaref, Lumen Christi

The Lumen Christi girls team gives the team from Shishmaref a basket of snacks and drinks before the teams faced each other at the state basketball tournament on March 16, 2023. Shishmaref's team van was broken into the previous evening in Anchorage and several items were stolen. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Tanalian’s Teagann Smith smiles during a break in the action against Cook Inlet Academy on March 16, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Metlakatla’s Bree Chavez is fouled near the hoop in a 2A semifinal game against Su Valley on March 17, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Cook Inlet Academy head coach Josh Hawley preaches intensity before the start of the 1A match against Shaktoolik on March 17, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Shaktoolik head coach Stacey Paniptchuk talks with her team at halftime of their 1A game against Cook Inlet Academy on March 17, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, metlakatla

Metlakatla huddle together before tipoff. Tikigaq faced Metlakatla in the girls 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, kake, aniak

Kake fans celebrate the victory with the team. Kake defeated Aniak in the boys 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, metlakatla

A Tikigaq fan shows his pride. Tikigaq defeated Metlakatla in the girls 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

Shaktoolik coach Stacey Paniptchuk celebrates her team in a close fourth quarter of the 1A match against Cook Inlet Academy on March 17, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, Shaktoolik, Lumen Christi

Lumen Christi’s Natalie Grubba, facing, and Emily Ross celebrate their team’s win. Lumen Christi beat Shaktoolik in the girls 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, ninilchik

Peyton Edens of Ninilchik is introduced. Tikigaq faced Ninilchik in the boys 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, ninilchik

Ninilchik’s Jaylin Scott takes a shot. Tikigaq faced Ninilchik in the boys 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A 2A state basketball

A fan focuses on the Tanalian vs. Cook Inlet Academy girls game on March 16, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, ninilchik

Benjamin Lane of Tikigaq tries to get rid of the ball under Ninilchik’s Jaylin Scott. Tikigaq faced Ninilchik in the boys 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, ninilchik

Tikigaq shows disappointment after their loss in the finals. Ninilchik defeated Tikigaq in the boys 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, metlakatla

Tikigaq fans celebrate a three-point shot by their team. Tikigaq faced Metlakatla in the girls 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, tikigaq, ninilchik

Ninilchik celebrates their state championship. Ninilchik defeated Tikigaq in the boys 2A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

1A state basketball, kake, aniak

Anthony Ross, head coach of Kake, lifts his player and son Dominic Ross after the win. Kake defeated Aniak in the boys 1A state basketball championship finals on March 18, 2023. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Marc Lester

Marc Lester is a multimedia journalist for Anchorage Daily News. Contact him at mlester@adn.com.