Upset-minded Hawks head into Mid-Alaska tourney

HOUSTON — Since joining the Mid-Alaska Conference in 2007, the Houston Hawks have spent much of their time as the No. 4 team in the four-team conference.

The Hawks will once again head into the conference championships as the fourth seed, but there seems to be a different feeling around the Hawks program.

Thursday, the upset-minded Hawks will meet top-seeded West Valley at 3 p.m. at North Pole High School. First-year head coach Sean Seamands said, even in losses, the Hawks have shown significant improvement.

“The last few weeks the girls have been really able to keep it together,” Seamands said Monday. “Even in games we’re down 12-15 (points).”

On Friday, Houston suffered a 47-46 loss to Valdez. The Hawks trailed by double digits in the third quarter, but were able to pull back within a possession. A week before against conference rival Lathrop, Houston stayed right with the Malemutes for three quarters.

Where Houston has folded often in the past, the Hawks are now continuing to fight, Seamands said.

Houston enjoyed nice success during a trio of tournaments earlier this season. The Hawks played very tough during an early-season tourney at Nome-Beltz, won the team title at the Nikiski Tip-Off and finished as the runner-up at the Seward Invitational.

“It was a pretty big deal for the team,” Seamands said. “They brought home some hardware, for probably the first time in quite a while.”

Seamands said it was especially gratifying to see the seniors — Amber Acton, Melissa Dodds, Shelby Shaffer and Savannah Ritter — have success playing for a Hawks squad that’s endured some tough times on the court during their prep careers. Seamands said that senior class has also provided leadership for a younger group coming up through the Houston ranks.

“The leadership they’ve brought to the team is huge,” Seamands said of the seniors. “They’re the glue that holds this team together in the tough games.”

The Houston squad also includes four juniors, including Savanna James, a legitimate MAC player of the year candidate. James, a 6-footer who can play either guard or forward, has averaged more than 20 points per game during the last three weeks. She’s also averaging double digits in points and rebounds this season. Seamands said the junior’s preparation has led to this success.

“One thing that makes her so good is just her dedication in practice and during the offseason,” Seamands said.

James has been a scorer throughout her high schools career, and this year Seamands said he’s seen big improvement in the defensive part of her game. Her versatility, a 6-footer who can either post up or shoot, has been key for the Hawks.

“She can hit for three or we can send her inside,” Seamands said. “We can put her in any spot.”

Seamands said he certainly sees James as one of the top two or three players in the conference and among the top 10 or so in the state.

The Houston boys also head into the tourney as a fourth seed and will open against top-ranked North Pole Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Houston head coach Dave Porter has consistently praised the hustle and work of his squad, even when the Hawks fall under the loss column.

“We don’t give up,” Porter said following a loss to Valdez last Friday. “I’m proud of them for that.”

Each of the Houston teams will help the MAC head into a new era. Conference schools opted to expand the tournament and make it a double elimination event. In past MAC events, a loss on Day 1 of the tourney spells the end of the season. Now, regardless of outcomes Thursday, teams are guaranteed a Friday contest.

First-day losers can even get back into the tourney title game, with consecutive victories in their next two games thanks to the double-elmination format.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.