Hawks cap tourney with win

ANCHORAGE — Houston head coach Dave Porter knew his young Hawks team would head into the Challenge Life Service Tip-Off as the underdogs of the eight-team tourney.

But after three solid days, Porter feels his hard-working Hawks caught the attention of the fans in the Service High School gym.

“We battled throughout the whole tournament, Porter said of his squad, which capped its weekend with a 59-58 overtime win over Anchorage Christian School Saturday afternoon. “They kept fighting. I’m proud.”

Junior Max Rothley and sophomore Scott Kramer combined to hit 10 of 13 free throws during the extra period. Both scored a game-high 15 points to lead Houston (1-2) to its first victory of the season.

Rothley scored eight of his 15 points during overtime.

Porter said the Hawks had success from the line throughout the weekend, hitting 72 percent of their free throw attempts.

“That helps a lot,” Porter said.

Senior captain Zack Qual, who was named all-tournament, added 12 points for Houston.

Houston led 17-15 at halftime, but fell behind when ACS put together an 11-6 run in the third.

“We got off to a slow start, but the kids were real patient,” Porter said. “They ran our offense, and didn’t panic. I’m proud of them.”

The Hawks used a 15-point fourth quarter to pull back into the game. Co-captain Mitch Montreuil hit a key three-pointer and scored five of his nine points in the fourth.

Kramer hit 3 of 4 free throws during the fourth quarter.

Houston suffered losses to host Service and Valley-rival Palmer during the first two days of the tourney, but Porter said he was proud of his team’s effort during the first two rounds.

“The kids did really well through the whole tournament,” Porter said.

Both Service and Palmer needed late runs to ice the Hawks.

The Cougars led the Hawks by only six points at halftime.

Palmer also used a second-half push to get past Houston.

Wolves edge Moose

ANCHORAGE — The Eagle River Wolves edged Palmer 52-48 to win the consolation bracket of the Challenge Life Service Tip-Off at Service High School on Tuesday

Junior post Sean Niekamp led Palmer with 17 points. Senior Kyle Titus hit a trio of three-pointers and scored 12 points for Palmer.

Titus scored 19 points to lead the Moose to a 51-36 win over Houston on Saturday.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Houston 59, ACS 58 OT

Service Tip-Off

Saturday, Service High School

Houston 8-9-6-15-12—59

ACS 7-8-11-13-11—58

Houston (59) — Frank 1 0-0 2, Kramer 2 10-13 15, Qual 5 2-2 12, Rothley 4 7-9 15, Montreiul 3 2-2 9, Ch. Buzby 1 0-0 2, Stone 0 2-2 2, Pease 1 0-0 2; Totals: 17 23-28 59.

ACS (58) — Charters 2 0-0 6, Brandon 2 0-1 4, Scott 6 4-6 19, Simmers 3 7-11 13, Richwine 4 7-12 15, McKoy 0 1-2 1; Totals: 17 19-32 58.

3-point field goals: Houston 2 (Kramer, Montreiul 1), ACS 5 (Scott 3); Total fouls: Houston 25, ACS 23; Fouled out: Houston- Qual, Montreiul; ACS- Simmers.

Eagle River 52, Palmer 48

Service Tip-Off

Friday, Service High School

Eagle River 15-8-15-14—52

Palmer 7-9-20-12—48

Eagle River (52) — Metzei 2 0-0 4, Ortiz 0 1-2 1, Yaw 7 4-4 18, Quinn 1 0-0 2, Bell 3 0-0 8, Foster 7 3-3 18, Taylor 0 1-3 1; 20 9-12 52.

Palmer (48) — Titus 3 3-3 12, Brown 1 0-3 2, Bohman 0 1-2 1, Montgomery 2 5-8 9, Niekamp 6 5-7 17, Odom 2 3-4 7; Totals: 14 17-27 48.

3-point field goals: Eagle River 3 (Bell 2);, Palmer 3 (Titus 3), Total fouls: Eagle River 21, Palmer 12.

Palmer 51, Houston 36

Service Tip-Off

Friday, Service High School

Houston 6-16-6-8—36

Palmer 10-20-11-10—51

Houston (36) — Frank 3, Kramer 2, Qual 19, Rothley 2, Montreuil 8.

Palmer (51) — Titus 19, Hunter 5, Brown 6, Jackson 2, Montgomery 4, Niekamp 7, Odom 8.