Defense sparks Knights in run past Warriors

WASILLA — After playing four games in the previous five days, the Colony Knights could of hit the proverbial wall on Tuesday.

But even though Wasilla was Colony’s fifth opponent in six days, fatigue didn’t seem to be a factor —especially during the third quarter.

Colony used a 17-6 third-quarter run to help post a 53-34 win over the Wasilla Warriors at Wasilla High School.

“In the third quarter we came out, picked up our running game and got that going,” Colony head coach Don Witzel said.

Running the floor, Colony pushed its lead to 20 in the third quarter. Senior all-state forward Alex Coon took the long pass from fellow captain Allie Grazulis, posted the fast break basket and scored two of her game-high 19 points to give Colony the 32-20 lead midway through the quarter.

Colony ended the third on a 15-2 run that was sparked by a Grazulis three-pointer and capped by Tara Garrod basket.

While the Knights did score 17 points in the third, Witzel felt it was his team’s defense and rebounding that allowed Colony to hold the advantage during the quarter.

“The rebounding was probably pretty critical for us,” Witzel said. “We were able to get the rebound and get our running game going.”

Colony took the 16-6 lead in the first quarter, but struggled through the second.

“We missed a lot of easy shots in the first half,” Witzel said.

Coon was the lone Colony player to hit double-digits in scoring during the win. Grazulis and senior Kara Larson each added nine.

All-state guard Jenna Johnson led the Warriors with 12 points in the loss, but spent much of the evening as the center of the Colony defense’s attention.

“I thought Allie did a really good job on defense against Jenna,” Witzel said. “She didn’t give her any easy looks.”

Sophomore Kelsey Cottle added nine for Wasilla.

Colony’s win over Wasilla followed its lopsided victory over South Anchorage at Colony High School on Monday. Witzel admitted he was a bit concern about the fatigue factor.

“Five games in six days,” Witzel said. “We had three tough games at the East tournament.”

Colony faced Juneau-Douglas, Chugiak and Ketchikan during the three-day East T-Bird Classic in Anchorage last week. The Knights finished 2-1 in the event, dropping their only loss to Chugiak in a rematch of the 2007 4A state title game. The 4A runner-up used a pair of free throws in the final second of regulation to edge Colony, the defending state champions, 44-42.

Colony is now off until Jan. 23 when the Knights host Northern Lights Conference rival Kodiak at CHS.

Wasilla is slated to play Skyview in the Nikiski Tip-Off Tournament today at Nikiski High School.

Colony 53, Wasilla 34

Tuesday, Wasilla

Colony 16-7-17-13—53

Wasilla 6-8-6-14—34

Colony (53) — Hamann 1 0-0 2, Garrod 3 1-4 7, Mallo 0 1-2 1, Grazulis 3 2-5 9, Me. Bowker 1 2-2 4, Coon 7 5-6 19, Eisenhower 1 0- 2, Larson 4 1-3 9; Totals: 20 12-23 53

Wasilla (34) — Frizzelle 0 0-1 0, Nuss 1 0-2 2, Brown 2 0-0 5, Johnson 4 4-7 12, Colegrove 1 0-0 2, Troisi 2 0-0 4, Cottle 4 1-5 9; Totals: 14 5-15 34.

Three-point field goals: Colony 1 (Grazulis 1), Wasilla 1 (Naczi 1); Total fouls: Colony 18, Wasilla 15; Fouled out: none.

Knights storm past South

PALMER — Sparked by a 20-7 first-quarter run, Colony cruised to a 60-29 nonconference win over South Anchorage at Colony High School on Monday.

Kate Klapperich came off the bench to lead the Knights with 15 points. Klapperich was 7-for-8 from the free-throw line during the final eight minutes of play.

Senior Alex Coon also hit double digits, finishing with 10 points.

Forward Alex Brewster led South with 10.

This was South’s second straight loss to a Valley team.

Colony 60, South Anchorage 29

Monday, Colony

South 7-9-5-8—29

Colony 20-15-10-14—60

South (29) — Cole 1 0-0 3, Brewster 2 6-7 10, Gurule 3 2-4 8, Pichler 0 1-3 1, Stophlet 0 3-4 3, Manfrey 2 0-0 4; Totals: 8 12-18 29.

Colony (60) — Hamann 3 0-0 7, Garrod 0 2-2 2, Klapperich 4 7-8 15, Ma. Bowker 0 2-2 2, Grazulis 2 3-4 7, Me. Bowker 1 1-1 3, Coon 5 0-0 10, Eisenhower 3 0-0 6, Larson 3 0-0 6, Farrell 1 0-0 2; Totals: 22 15-17 60.

Three-point field goals: South 1 (Cole 1), Colony 1 (Hamann 1); Total fouls: South 18, Colony 18; Fouled out: none.