Senior’s near triple-double leads Hawks

NIKISKI — Matt Barron finished a steal shy of a rare feat while leading the Houston Hawks to a 63-49 win over the Nikiski Bulldogs Saturday.

The senior finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine steals during the win over Nikiski on the final day of the Nikiski Tip-Off.

Barron hit nine shots from the floor and finished 9 for 11 from the free throw line. Barron also helped Houston erase an early deficit with a late run. The Hawks trailed 20-7 in the first quarter, but capped the game with a 25-9 fourth-quarter run.

Jeff Baird added a dozen points and seven rebounds in the win. Jace Taylor added eight points and nine rebounds.

Barron was named all-tournament for the Hawks, who finished 2-1 in the tournament. Houston beat Nikiski and Dillingham, but lost to Homer, which finished undefeated in the tournament.

The Houston girls finished the tournament without a win after falling to host Nikiski 43-32 on Saturday. Savannah Wells led the Hawks with 11 points and five rebounds, and was named all-tournament.

Houston boys 63, Nikiski 49

Nikiski Tip-Off

Saturday, Nikiski

Houston 7-15-16-25—63

Nikiski 20-12-8-9—49

Houston (63) — Baird 6 0-0 12, Elson 1 0-1 2, Barron 9 9-11 28, Saechao 0 4-5 4, M. Ruta 3 3-4 9, J. Taylor 3 2-2 8; Totals: 22 18-23 63.

Nikiski (49) — Stangel 1 0-2 3, Anderson 3 0-0 8, Johnson 3 1-1 7, Castro 1 0-0 2, Holloway 2 1-2 5, Carston 7 2-2 18, Jackson 2 1-2 6; Totals: 19 5-9 49.

3-point field goals: Houston 1 (Barron 1), Nikiski 6 (Anderson, Carston 2); Total fouls: Houston 14, Nikiski 22.

Nikiski girls 45, Houston 23

Nikiski Tip-Off

Saturday, Nikiski

Houston 8-6-7-11—32

Nikiski 5-9-17-12—43

Houston (32) — Malidore 2 0-0 4, Ruth 2 4-7 8, Wilkerson 1 0-0 2, Nida 1 0-0 2, Wells 4 2-2 11, Barber 0 1-2 1, Quincy 2 0-0 4; Totals: 12 7-11 32.

Nikiski (43) — Costello 1 2-2 4, Litke 1 0-0 2, Lynch 4 3-4 11, Thompson 6 4-8 20, Darch 3 0-0 6; Totals: 15 9-14 43.

3-point field goals: Houston 1 (Wells 1), Nikiski 4 (Thompson 4); Total fouls: Houston 17, Nikiski 14.