Colony boys bounce Barrow

ANCHORAGE — It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Colony Knights.

Since Jan. 12, the Knights have scored victories over each of their primary rivals, Palmer and Wasilla, and have competed in a pair of three-day nonconference tournaments. But despite playing in their eighth game in 11 days, the Knights weren’t going to slow down when they matched up against, arguably, their toughest opponent of the year. And Colony’s pace helped the Knights net their biggest nonconference victory of the season.

Colony used a fast start to upend 3A defending state champion Barrow 64-63 during the final day of the O’Brady’s Invitational at South Anchorage High School.

“We were aggressive, being aggressive in transition. That’s a big deal for us. Day three of the tournament, we want to go test the other team’s legs, and we did.” Colony head coach Tom Berg said by cellphone after the win.

Fueled by that effort, Colony forced Barrow turnovers, held the Whalers to 16 percent shooting in the first half and collected 33 points during the first two quarters. Colony used a 16-7 second-quarter run to take a 33-19 lead into the break.

“It’s a really good win for us,” Berg said. “That’s a really good team.”

Colony, which finished 2-1 in the O’Brady’s Invite, was playing in its fourth tournament of the year. Berg said a big reason for playing in that many tournaments, is the chance to get the best possible competition during the nonconference schedule.

“Any time you get a chance to play that quality of an opponent, it’s good,” Berg said. “It’s 3A versus 4A. But I don’t see it that way. It’s a good game. A good test.”

Senior Tyler Boyer added to his string of double-doubles, leading Colony with 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

“Tyler was great all weekend. He’s been great all season,” Berg said.

Berg said Boyer, a first-year Knight who played for Bartlett last year, continues to blend in with the Colony veterans.

“We’re hitting our stride a little bit in terms of being familiar with each other,” Berg said.

Boyer was 10 of 17 from the field, and also played a key role defending Barrow sophomore star Kamaka Hepa, a nationally-ranked prospect. Berg also praised the work of senior Joshua James, who also helped contain Hepa, and added eight points on the offensive end.

“JJ had a terrific game today,” Berg said of James, who shot 4 of 5 from the field.

Junior Nolan Martin was also key for the Knights. Martin scored 15 points, and hit a pair of free throws late that gave Colony a two-possession lead. Senior Anton Chamblee added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Colony also beat Thunder Mountain 59-45 in the tourney.

Colony’s tournament started with a wild first day that found the Knights on the opposing end of a highlight-reel worthy finish, that is garnering national attention. Thursday, Colony led West Valley 63-60 during the final seconds of regulation, but Wolfpack standout Daniel Hornbuckle scored an improbable five points during the final five seconds of the game to lead West Valley to the 65-63 win over the Knights.

With about 10 seconds left in the game, Hornbuckle went the length of the floor and hit a three-pointer that tied the game at 63. With about five seconds left, Hornbuckle stole the ensuing inbound pass, and knocked down a fade-away jumper at the baseline at the buzzer to give the Wolfpack the win. A video of the finish posted on Twitter was picked up by national blogs, including Sports Illustrated’s Campus Rush.

“You never want to be on the Sports Illustrated Twitter blog as the team that happens to. But coaching as long as I have now, I know you’re doing to run into that moment where something like that happens. Daniel did a great job of doing what Daniel does,” Berg said. “It wasn’t fun. But Thunder Mountain was a good win, and today was a big win for us confidence wise.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Colony 64, Barrow 63

O’Brady’s Invitational

Saturday, South Anchorage

Barrow 12-7-22-22—63

Colony 17-16-15-16—64

Barrow (63) — Goodwin 2 0-0 5, Thomas 2 2-4 7, Adams 10 3-7 24, Unutoa 1 0-0 2, Tuifua 1 0-0 2, Ahgeak 3 0-2 6, Hepa 6 0-2 14, Snow 1 0-0 3; Totals: 26 5-15 63.

Colony (64) — James 4 0-0 8, Nygard 2 0-0 5, Neuner 1 0-1 2, Chamblee 2 2-3 10, Marting 6 2-2 15, Menard 1 0-0 3, Boyer 10 1-2 21; Totals: 27 5-8 64.

3-point field goals: Barrow 6 (Hepa 2), Colony 5 (Chamblee 2); Total fouls: Barrow 10, Colony 14.

Colony 59,

Thunder Mountain 45

O’Bradys Invitational

Friday, South Anchorage

TM 8-12-15-10—45

Colony 10-17-13-19—59

Colony (59) — James 3 1-1 7, Nygard 3 0-0 7, Neuner 3 0-1 6, Chamblee 4 2-2 11, Martin 4 2-2 10, Menard 1 1-2 4, Boyer 7 0-0 14; Totals: 25 6-8 59.

Th. Mtn (45) — Mielke 3 2-2 10, Manning 1 2-2 4, Saviers 5 4-5 16, Reishus-O’Brien 2 0-0 4, McAndrews 0 2-2 2, Toutaiaolpo 1 0-0 2; Totals: 15 10-11 45.

3-pt field goals: Thunder Mountain 5 (Saviers 2), Colony 3 (3 tied 1); Total fouls: Thunder Mountain 11, Colony 14.