SNEAK PEAK: Knights win Doc Larson tourney in early-season Valley clash with Warriors

WASILLA — Will Freeman announced that he now plays in the Northern Lights Conference, and he is a force to be reckoned with.

In what may be a preview of the Northern Lights Conference championship game in March, the Colony Knights bested the Wasilla Warriors 59-49 in the championship of the Doc Larson Roundball Classic on Saturday night.

Freeman, who moved to the Valley from Texas, lit up the scoreboard with 26 points to lead all scorers and earn the Doc Larson Roundball Classic MVP. Freeman hit each of his first three shots from behind the three-point arc, the third coming from well beyond the line.

Colony had no answer for Wasilla’s Reilly Devine defensively. Devine picked up two quick fouls and sat most of the first half on the bench. Aeron Milliron picked up the slack inside, maneuvering for position and yanking down rebounds. Milliron finished the game tied for a team high with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Without Devine’s shot-blocking presence inside, the Knights attacked the basket. Sullivan Menard passed up multiple open looks from outside to go to the hoop. When the Knights penetrated the Warrior defense, they often found teammates wide open outside the three-point line. Colony shot 47 percent from behind the arc.

“He’s very skilled. We realized that right away. He moved in this year. For him it was just that he has a great sense of angles and where he’s going and he’s skilled enough to exploit some of that stuff we’re excited about him. I think after this weekend most people are going to know who he is and deal with him,” said Colony head coach Tom Berg.

Freeman’s one missed shot from behind the arc came from far behind the line.

“He had that one heat check after he hit two which is okay. I want him to play like that,” said Berg.

Daniel Headdings had a marvelous tournament for Wasilla. The guard had stupendous games against Thunder Mountain and Stephenson of Stone Hill, Georgia, but struggled against the Knight defense. Colony guarded Headdings well outside the three-point line, and swarmed around him when he made a move to the basket. Headdings often settled for off-balance, one-handed runners which seldom went in. Headdings made only three of his 12 shots from the floor and three of his nine free throws.

Colony took a one-point lead into the locker room at half time and emerged hot. Freeman hit another two three-pointers. He would finish five of six from distance and eight of 11 for the game. When the shot was not there, Freeman passed or slithered into the paint, finding an angle to get his shot off. Colony built a five-point lead in the third quarter. Resting some starters, the Knights got outstanding contributions from their bench.

“All those guys make plays for us and they’re starting to figure out that if they’re all rolling it’s going to be tough night in and night out to guard us,” said Berg.

At one time Colony had only one senior on the floor. Devine returned in the second half fired up, calling out screens and yelling at his teammates in encouragement. Devine appeared to be more cautious in the second half, yet still got whistled for fouls. Devine fouled out playing just 18 of the 32 minutes.

“I think Reilly Devine is the best big kid in the state. He’s skilled, he plays hard, he’s a great teammate. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. We were fortunate to get a couple calls on him early. I know he’ll be back with a vengeance and they’ll be good,” said Berg.

The Knights opened the fourth quarter in attack mode. Colton Spencer used a crossover dribble and hit a baseline jumper with the defender all over him. Parker Kizer hit a three-pointer with the much bigger, taller Milliron’s hand right in his face. Freeman hit a layup and was fouled, making the free throw and extending the lead to 13.

Jordan Knight guarded Menard, Colony’s best shot-creator, all game. With the struggles of Headdings and Devine, Knight became the Warriors main source of offense. Knight was speedy off the dribble and rose up for a quick jump shot when he got space. Knight finished with 10 points and seven steals.

“Wasilla’s no joke. Those are good players. They’re good defensively, they’re well coached... I have all the respect in the world for those guys, you’re not going up against just anybody, we’re going up against a perennial team that’s going to make a run at the region and state championship,” said Berg.

The Warriors and Knights have two more games scheduled for the regular season, and may very well meet in the region championship game.

“I think the edge lasts for tonight. We played well for tonight, but they get to have regions back here in three months. I think every game they’d say the same thing, if we have to play each other we’d like to win,” said Berg.

Wasilla’s Knight, Headdings and Devine made the all-tournament team. Menard and Freeman were honored on the all tournament team for Colony.

On the girls’ side, Azlynn Brandenburg was named to the all tournament team for Wasilla. Alissa Pili of the champion Dimond Lynx was named tournament MVP.

Dimond girls 62, Wasilla 39

Doc Larson girls MVP Alissa Pili used 13 points and seven rebounds to help tourney champion Dimond score a 62-39 victory over host Wasilla Saturday.

Azlynn Brandenburg was the lone Warrior to hit double digits in scoring with 11 points. Cheyenne Green grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Angeline Nageak added 11 for the Lynx.

Tim Rockey is a freelance writer for the Frontiersman. Contact him at timothy.rockey@gmail.com.