Knights score lopsided victory

KODIAK — On Colony’s first offensive possession Thursday afternoon, the Knights were whistled for a traveling violation.

After that, it was all Colony in its first-round game of the Northern Lights Conference basketball tournament against Skyview.

The Knights rolled to a 64-21 victory at Kodiak High School. The fourth quarter was played with a running clock.

It was the perfect beginning for the Knights as they try to defend their NLC title from a year ago. Colony (22-2) advances to play Valley rival Palmer in the first of two semifinal games today at 3 p.m. The winner advances to Saturday night’s title game.

“We came out and played hard,” Colony head coach Don Witzel said. “I was really happy with the way they came out and did that.”

Senior Alex Coon led Colony with a game-high 18 points — 16 coming in the second half. Allie Grazulis added 13 points — 11 in the first half.

The only complaint Witzel had after the game was that his team continued its recent first quarter struggles.

The Knights led 19-4 after the opening eight minutes, but misfired on six of its first nine shots. Colony rebounded to finish the quarter at 40 percent from the field (8-for-20) in the first and 43 percent for the game (25-for-57).

“The last few weeks we have had a little trouble getting started in the first quarter,” Witzel said “Generally, we do shake it off as we get going, but we don’t want to do that against good teams, because that is going to hurt you.”

Colony definitely shook things off.

The Knights led 38-14 after two and then held Skyview scoreless in the third to pull ahead by 40 points.

Witzel believes if his team continues to play at this level, good things should come during the final two days of the tournament.

“We just need to continue to play with the same intensity that we did with today,” he said. “ I think if we do, and if the weekend stands up, we will do fine.”

Colony 64, Skyview 21

NLC first round

Thursday, Kodiak High School

Skyview 4-10-0-7—21

Colony 19-19-16-10—64

Skyview (21) — Massey 9, Papp, Hill 2, Penrod 4, Meyer 6; Totals: 9 2-4 21.

Colony (64) — Garrod 6, Klapperich 8, Ma. Bowker 2, Mallo 3, Grazulis 13, Me. Bowker 4, Coon 18, Larson 6, Forstner 2, Farrell 2; Totals: 25 10-10 64.

Senior leads

Warriors to win

KODIAK — Wasilla senior Jenna Johnson scored 11 of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter to lead Wasilla to a 58-35 first-round win over Homer.

Kelsey Cottle added eight points for the Warriors, who move on to face Kenai in the semifinals.

Wasilla 58, Homer 35

NLC first round

Thursday, Kodiak High School

Homer 10-8-7-10—35

Wasilla 14-14-17-13—58

Homer (35) — Weaver 3 4-7 10, Ketelle 0 1-2 1, Daugherty 1 2-2 4, Stafford 3 1-2 7, Wood 0 1-4 1, Layland 3 5-8 12; Totals: 10 14-25 35.

Wasilla (58) — Frizzelle 1 0-0 2, Apangolook 1 0-0 2, Isshiki 3 0-0 7, Nuss 2 0-0 5, Naczi 1 1-2 4, Brown 3 1-2 8, Johnson 8 0-0 18, Davis 1 0-1 2, Troisi 1 0-0 2, Cottle 4 0-1 8; Totals: 25 2-6 58.

Three-point field goals: Homer 1 (Layland 1), Wasilla 6 (Johnson 2); Total fouls: Homer 9, Wasilla- 14;.