Warriors nearly knock off Alabama hoops power

WASILLA — Heading into his team’s match against Alabama power G.W. Carver High, Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen knew if the Warriors played to their potential on the defensive end, Wasilla would have a shot.

Wasilla was stellar on defense and nearly knocked off one of the top teams in Alabama.

Carver used a late push to steal a 50-44 come-from-behind win over the Warriors during the final day of the Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic at Wasilla High on Wednesday.

“We knew we had to hold them to the 40s or 50 to have a fighting chance,” Engebretsen said. “A couple things happened and we couldn’t hold on. But I’m really proud of the kids.”

Led by senior forward Tony Armstrong and his 15 points and game-high 18 rebounds, Carver earned the title of the third annual Roundball Classic with the win. Despite trailing after each of the first three quarters, Carver put together a 15-7 run in the fourth to take the lead.

Even though Carver’s biggest run came in the final frame, the Warriors had the potential to retake the lead up until the final possessions of the game.

“We had a fighting chance all the way down to the last 20 seconds,” Engebretsen said.

Wasilla took an early 7-2 lead in the contest, sparked by the shooting of freshman guard Dane Kuiper and held a 15-12 lead after the first. Kuiper, who scored a game-high 18 points in the loss, hit three of his four three-pointers in the first quarter.

“I thought he had a terrific game,” Engebretsen said of Kuiper.

After Carver put together a 10-5 run midway through the first, Kuiper hit a three-pointer from the corner to tie game at 12. He hit another long shot to give the Warriors the 15-12 lead.

The Warriors held the Wolverines to 36 percent shooting in the game, and Carver was just 1 for 13 from behind the arc. Wasilla also held senior guard Craig Sword, who will play for Division I Mississippi State next year, to eight points on 3 of 11 shooting.

Wasilla was forced to play the bulk of the first half without its Division I prospect. Forward Connor Devine, who will play at South Dakota State next year, was tagged with two early fouls and spent much of the first two quarters on the bench. Devine scored nine points in the second half.

While the Warriors were concerned with foul trouble, Carver used its depth in the win. Eleven of the 15 Wolverines on the bench saw at least two minutes of playing time.

“They were throwing guys out there, not worrying about fouls,” Engebretsen said.

Overall, Engebretsen said he’s pleased with the effort of his players and feels fortunate for the opportunity to play a team the caliber of Carver, which advanced to Alabama’s Class 6A semifinals last season.

“It was a good test for us to see where we’re at. We needed that test,” Engebretsen said.

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

Carver (Ala.) 50, Wasilla 44

Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic

Wednesday, Wasilla High

Carver 12-9-14-15—50

Wasilla 15-10-12-7—44

Carver (50) — Johnson 6 2-2 14, Duncan 1 0-0 3, Sword 3 2-2 8, Armstrong 6 3-7 15, Murphy-Blackmon 4 0-0 8, Young 1 0-0 2; Totals: 21 7-13 50.

Wasilla (44) — Ferro 0 1-2 1, B. Kuiper 3 2-2 8, D. Kuiper 5 4-5 18, McGregor 0 2-2 2, Devine 4 1-2 9, Roberts 2 2-2 6; Totals: 14 12-15 44.

Three-point field goals: Carver 1 (Duncan 1), Wasilla 4 (D. Kuiper 4); Total fouls: Carver 18, Wasilla 16.