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TALKEETNA — The Susitna Valley Rams had the chance to host their brand new tournament in their brand new gym, and the Su Valley boys made sure a trophy would be staying at their new home.
Su Valley scored a 60-44 win over the Nenana Lynx in the boys final to win the inaugural Susitna Valley Crowley Classic in Talkeetna last Saturday.
Bill Kelly, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player following the game, scored a team-high 18 points. Skyler Hamler added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Bartel chipped in six assists.
Tin Standifer led the Lynx with a game-high 26.
Dylan Figley and Paxson Matthews were named all-tourney for Su Valley.
The Rams girls nearly made it a Su Valley sweep, but Fort Yukon spoiled those hopes with a 45-44 win over Su Valley.
Chasity Herbert sank a free throw during the final seconds of regulation to snap a 44-44 tie and give the Eagles the win. Su Valley had erased a 12-point deficit late in the game.
Candace Carroll, the most valuable player of the girls tourney, scored 34 of her team’s 45 points in the Fort Yukon win. Sierra Pedersen led Su Valley with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Katherine Wollett posted 10 points and 14 rebounds.
The Crowley Classic is the first major sporting event hosted by the Rams since the doors of their new school were opened in early January.
The previous Su Valley school was destroyed by a fire in June of 2007. The loss sent students into portable classrooms and the Su Valley basketball teams on schedules that included nothing but road games for more than two years.
Susitna Valley Crowley Classic
All-tournament teams
Boys — Tim Standifer, Nenana; Nick Swain, Whittier; Alexander Petty, Wings; Roland James, Fort Yukon; Jon Turner, Valley Christian; Darrell Pine, Valley Christian; Dylan Figley, Su Valley; Paxson Matthews, Su Valley; Jared Wood, Wings; Edwin Whaskey, Nenana; MVP: Bill Kelly, Su Vallley.
Girls — Haley Tyler, Nenana; Daphne Williams, Nenana; Chasity Herbert, Fort Yukon; Bailey Stevenson, Su Valley; Sierra Pedersen, Su Valley; Katherine Wollett, Su Valley; Kelsie McGraw, Cornerstone; Sierra O’Connor, Su Valley; Leyla Sinyawski, Valley Christian; Rachel Smith, Matanuska Christian; MVP: Candace Carroll, Fort Yukon.
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