Colony boys open SoHi tourney with victory

SOLDOTNA — Tom Berg and the Colony Knights know they have some things to work on. But they also know a win’s a good way to start the season.

Colony, which finished third in the 4A class last year, opened its 2013-14 season with a 72-45 win over Nikiski during the first day of the Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off at Soldotna High School Thursday.

“We were good in spurts, and in those spurts we were able to push the lead a little bit,” Berg, Colony’s head coach, said by cellphone from Soldotna Thursday evening.

Berg said the Knights missed some easy shots early, but improved.

“We played way better in the second half. I think 8 of 10 layups (in the first half), we left on the rim,” Berg said. “In the second half we did a better job of finishing. We’re going to have to do a lot better if we have a chance of winning tomorrow.”

The Knights play Ketchikan Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the semifinals.

Senior Damien Fulp led Colony with a 23 points during the win over the Bulldogs.

Colony 72, Nikiski 45

Al Howard Tip-Off

Thursday, Soldotna

Colony 18-22-16-16—72

Nikiski 8-10-17-10—45

Colony (72) — Haire 5 0-0 10, West 3 1-4 8, Chamblee 2 0-0 6, Fulp 5 7-8 23, Looney 2 0-1 4, Menard 1 0-1 2, Dinkel 4 0-0 8, Nygard 2 0-0 4, Sonnenberg 3 1-2 7; Totals: 28 9-16 72

Nikiski (45) — Anderson 1 0-0 3, Johnson 0 2-4 2, Castro 1 0-0 2, Holloway 2 0-0 5, Carstens 12 6-8 31, Pamplin 1 0-0 2; Totals: 17 8-13 45.

3-point field goals: Colony 2 (West, Fulp 1), Nikiski 3 (3 tied with 1); Total fouls: Colony 18, Nikiksi 15.