Knights repeat

KODIAK —The Defending Northern Lights Conference and 4A state champion Colony Knights defeated Wasilla in the title game of the Northern Lights Conference Basketball Championships, in a rematch of the 2008 final, Saturday in Kodiak.

The Knights, who went 10-0 in the NLC during the regulars season, beat the gritty Warriors 50-46 to earn their second straight conference crown.

Both teams qualified for the state tourney on Friday with wins during the semifinal round.

The two Valley foes traded leads during a fast-paced back-and-forth first half.

The Knights held a slim 19-17 lead after the first quarter, and took a 37-32 advantage into the intermission.

Colony used stingy defense, rebounding a couple of free throws down the stretch to hold on to the victory.

“It’s obviously nice to have a repeat championship,” Colony head coach Don Witzel said. “It was a difficult game, but the girls played the game of their lives. The persevered, and in the second half, defensive boards were big.”

Senior Allie Grazulis led the Knights with 16 points, while senior forwards Alex Coon and Kara Larson chipped in 12 points each.

Wasilla senior Jenna Johnson posted a game-high 16 points for the Warriors.

The Colony defense held Wasilla to single digits in scoring during the final two quarter, but Wasilla also used a solid defenisve effort t hold the Knights to just a pair of free throws during the fourth.

Colony did score 11 points in the third quarter, and the Knights were happy to perservere.

“It feels great to be going back to state. It was a great win,” Grazulis said.

Witzel echoed his players sentiments.

“I’m glad we’ve got an opportunity to go back,” Witzel said. “I think it’s going to be a real battle. There are no easy games at state.”

Wasilla head coach Jeannie Herbert-Truax was dissapointed about the loss, but looked forward to the state tourney.

“It’s always disappointing not to win, but we’re looking forward to what we can do at state,” Hebert-Truax said.

Colony 50, Wasilla 46

NLC title game

Saturday, Kodiak High School

Colony 19 18 11 2 — 50

Wasilla 17 15 8 6 — 46

Colony (50) — Hamann 7, Garrod, Klapperich, Bowker 3, Mallo, Grazulis 16, Coon 12, Eisenhower, Larsen 12.

Wasilla (46) — Frizzle, Apangalook 4, Nuss 3, Nalzi 3, Brown, Johnson 18, Troisi 6, Cottle 12.