Jan. 21, 2007

Warrior Waltz

Wasilla wallops struggling Skyview

By Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman

WASILLA - On the opening possesion of Wasilla's 63-18 win over Skyview on Friday, Wasilla senior guard Jeremiah Collins drained a three-pointer on his team's first attempt from the field.

And from there, it was on.

The Warriors ran out to an 18-2 first quarter lead, and built a 37-10 halftime advantage.

Collins hit a pair of his team-high four three-pointers in the opening period. He sparked his squad with his first long ball, a shot that wasn't a scripted attempt.

&#8220He's told if he's open at the three-point line, shoot the ball,” Wasilla head coach Jason Marvel said. &#8220He's got the green light.”

And the light was green for most wearing the Warrior red.

Collins scored a game-high 14.

Senior Jesse Bean hit a three-pointer on Wasilla's second possesion of the game, and scored all of his seven points in the first quarter.

Dexter Pierce scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half.

And while the Warriors had success on the offensive end, their defense kept Skyview from doing much of anything.

The Panthers posted just one bucket in the first quarter, a David Blossom jump shot with about three minutes to go in the first.

Gregor Bosick hit Skyview's only three-pointer of the game, and scored six of his team's eight points in the second quarter. Bosick led his squad with eight.

&#8220Anytime you can hold a team to 18 points, that's pretty good defense,” Marvel said. &#8220You're doing something right.”

Wasilla's second unit played most of the second half and held the Panthers to only eight points in the final two quarters.

&#8220I tell them it's their job to maintain the lead or extend it, and they extended it,” Marvel said.

Forwards Jack Troshynski and Zach Orr combined for 10 points during Wasillla's 17-4 third-quarter run.

Collins led all scorers with 14 points, while Troshynski added 10 for the Warriors, who are undefeated in conference play.

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