Warriors, Knights split varsity doubleheader

PALMER — Wasilla used its defensive pressure during the final moments to steal a key Northern Lights Conference win Friday night. The Warriors grabbed a pair of steals and turned them into points, and Jazlynn Novelli scored five of her 12 points during the final 40 seconds to lead the Warriors to a 47-45 win over Colony at Colony High School.

Colony led by three with less than a minute remaining. Novelli followed a Harmony McSorley steal with a layup to cut the Colony advantage to a point with 40 seconds left. On Colony’s next possession, Novelli stole the ball and knocked down a jumper to give Wasilla 46-45 lead. Novelli added a free throw with 18 seconds left to make it a two-point game.

Wasilla improved to 4-0 in NLC with the win, and pushed its winning streak to three games. Colony is now 1-1 in NLC play. The Knights entered the game as the top-ranked 4A girls team according to the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches.

Wasilla didn’t allow a Colony field goal during the entire second quarter and entered halftime with a 21-17 lead.

The Knights jumped ahead with a 19-point third quarter. Abbie Kenley scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half. Kenley hit big three-pointers in both the third and fourth quarters.

Colony earned an early lead in the game and did not allow Wasilla to score until Jordyn Cox hit a pair of free throws with 3:54 left in the first quarter. Sheridan Green and Sierra Baird followed with three-pointers that allowed Wasilla to take an 11-10 lead into the second quarter.

In addition to Novelli’s 12, Green scored nine, and Cox and Baird added eight each. Bella Hays pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.

Kenley led Colony with 15 points and four assists. Indiya Clarke added 11 points, five rebounds.

Colony boys get past Wasilla

Colony scored a 47-35 Northern Lights Conference win over Wasilla Friday night at Colony High.

Patrick McMahon led Colony with a game-high 17 points. Colton Spencer added 13 points. Andrew Devine and Gabe Lund scored nine each to lead the Knights.

Colony jumped out to an early 10-3 lead. The Knights allowed only one field goal during the opening eight minutes. Luke Devine hit a three-pointer with 2:48 left in the first.

Hawks split at Seward

Houston split a Southcentral Conference doubleheader Thursday in Seward.

Emily Bitler used a dozen points to lead Houston to a 40-30 win over the Seward girls. Katie Richey added 11.

Seward beat the Houston boys 45-40. Braden Cork led Houston with 11.

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