Huskies earn first varsity basketball home win in school history

WASILLA — Tuesday marked another milestone for the Redington boys basketball program.

In January, Redington notched its first varsity win in school history. Tuesday, the Huskies had their first chance to celebrate victory on their home floor.

Redington used a 14-0 fourth-quarter run to grab a 41-24 win over Susitna Valley at Redington Jr./Sr. High School.

“They were super pumped once it settled in,” Redington head coach Tony Brooke said of his players and their first varsity home win. “They guys worked hard for it.”

Redington, which also beat Su Valley on the road earlier this season, was forced to answer Su Valley’s 11-3 third-quarter run. Redington maintained a 27-24 lead after three, but Brooke lauded his team’s ability to not allow the Rams to build on their third quarter.

“Su Valley played hard. They did not make it easy for us,” Brooke said.

Brooke also credited they play of Brody Brooks, who helped Redington to keep the Rams scoreless during the final quarter. Brooke said Brooks picked up his fourth foul in the third, and had to sit the sophomore for the remainder of the quarter. That’s when Su Valley went on its run. But with Brooks back on the floor in the fourth, Brooke said Redington was able to regain control.

“We got him back in and it changed some of the momentum,” Brooke said.

Brooks led the way for Redington on the defensive sixe, and Brian Amirault paced the Huskies on offense. Amirault supplied a game-best 22 points for Redington. He finished with 10 field goals, equaling Su Valley.

“He was on fire,” Brooke said of the junior.

Amirault scored six of Redington’s 14 first-quarter points, and added nine of his team’s 14 in the fourth quarter.

“He was big in the fourth quarter down the stretch,” Brooke said.

Brooks added 11 for Redington. Dalton Pinard led Su Valley with 11.

In girls’ action, Su Valley held on for a 31-26 win over the Huskies. Redington’s Courtney Crockett scored a game-high 18 points in the loss. Ellie Bietsch led Su Valley with 11. Deborah Johnston added 10.

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

Redington boys 41, Susitna Valley 24

Tuesday, Redington Jr./Sr. High

Susitna Valley 8-5-11-0—24

Redington 14-10-3-14—41

Susitna Valley (24) — Cassidy 1 0-0 2, Jolley 4 1-3 9, Pinard 4 2-4 11, Luxford 1 0-0 2, Kehoe 0 0-2 0; Totals: 10 3-7 24

Redington (41) — Rogers 2 0-0 4, Straughn 1 0-0 2, Armirault 10 2-8 22, Brooks 5 1-5 11, Long 1 0-0 2; Totals: 19 3-13 41.

3-point field goals: Su Valley 1 (Pinard 1), Redington 0; Total fouls: Su Valley 12, Redington 12.

Susitna Valley girls 31, Redington 26

Tuesday, Redington Jr./Sr. High

Susitna Valley 5-9-7-10—31

Redington 2-9-3-11—26

Susitna Valley (31) — Mischimo 0 0-2 0, Henke 0 2-3 2, Johnston 4 2-5 10, Bietsch 4 3-4 11, Er. Johnston 2 0-0 5, Ei. Johnston 1 1-2 3; Totals: 11 8-14 31.

Redington (26) — Crockett 6 5-5 18, Clarey 0 0-1 0, Aparazuk 1 0-0 2, Fuller 2 2-4 6; Totals: 9 7-9 26.

3-point field goals: Susitna Valley 1 (Er. Johnston 1); Redington 1 (Crockett 1); Total fouls: Susitna Valley 15, Redington 12.