Warriors win Prep Shootout

ANCHORAGE -- The Wasilla Warriors were in the zone both literally and figuratively.

Wasilla's zone defense tormented opponents throughout the weekend and the Wasilla shooters consistently drained their shots as the Warriors captured the 2003 Alaska Prep Shootout and Dimond High School.

The Warriors defeated the East Thunderbirds 59-50 in the championship game to take the title.

Wasilla senior center Ray Schafer scored a team-high 18 points on a 9-10 shooting performance in the contest. Schafer was named the tournament's most outstanding player following the game for his efforts.

Schafer's offensive performance inside was greatly aided by the play of the Warrior guards who consistently delivered crisp passes to Wasilla's big man in the paint.

Wasilla's success inside also aided in the success of the Warriors' long range game.

"There was great passing," Wasilla head coach Jason Marvel said. "We say time and time again that our inside game gives those outside guys shots."

Adam Roth was on fire throughout the tourney, finishing with 15 points against East.

Roth hit three shots from downtown, including a pivotal three-pointer in the final minutes of the game.

The Warriors held a lead for most of the contest. East was able to eek their way back into the game, bringing the score to a 36-36 tie late in the third quarter. Wasilla was able to gain a 42-41 advantage going into the final period.

An Ozzelle Jamestown bucket put the T-Birds up 43-42 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Warriors rebounded with a pivotal shot from behind the arc. Senior guard Greg Gray came off the bench to hit a three-pointer and give Wasilla the lead.

After East again took the lead, Wasilla came back with another key bucket.

Schafer grabbed Cody Schierman pass and took the ball to the basket. Schafer not only got the bucket, but attracted the foul.

With a 49-46 advantage, Buddy Bailey found Roth open in the corner and Roth drained his third three-pointer of the evening to give the Warriors an eight-point cushion.

Bailey and Luke Schafer each grabbed offensive rebounds prior to the Roth trifecta.

Game notes … Bailey was named to the All-Tournament team. The senior guard scored 44 points in the tourney … Schafer, the tournament's most outstanding player scored 45 points in three games .. Despite not being mentioned on the all-tourney squad, Roth scored 40 points in the Shootout and drained 10 three-pointers … Wasilla (5-2) remains undefeated in the state of Alaska. The Warriors are 4-0 against local competition and finished 1-2 in the Stop DWI Tournament in New York … Wasilla was the only team in the eight-team tournament to dress three or more players over 6-foot, 7-inches … At 5-11, Roth is the lone Wasilla starter under 6-0.

WASILLA 59, EAST 50

WASILLA (59) — Schierman 1 0-1 2, Bailey 3 9-11 15, Roth 6 0-0 15, Gray 1 0-0 3, Cunningham 0 0-0 0, L. Schafer 1 2-2 4, Heibel 1 0-0 2, R. Schafer 9 0-1 18. Totals 22 11-17 59.

EAST (50) — Zuker 0 0-0 0, J. Jamestown 7 2-2 18, Wilson 0 0-0 0, Mason 0 0-0 0, Laws 4 5-7 14, Macon 3 0-0 7, Flair 1 0-0 2, O. Jamestown 4 1-2 9, Holt 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 8-11 50.

Total fouls — Wasilla 15, East 18. Fouled out — J. Jamestown. Three-point goals — Roth 3, Gray, J. Jamestown 2, Laws, Macon.

Wasilla 16 14 12 17 — 59

WASILLA 53, BARTLETT 38

BARTLETT (38) — Hardy 3 2-3 8, Showers 0 0-0 0, Chalmers 5 3-6 14, Bowman 3 0-0 6, Mitchell 1 0-2 2, Leiser 0 0-0 0, Brown 2 3-4 8. Totals 14 8-15 38.

WASILLA (53) — Schierman 3 0-0 6, Bailey 6 1-2 14, Roth 5 0-0 14, Gray 0 0-0 0, Cunningham 0 0-0 0, L. Schafer 3 3-5 9, Heibel 1 0-2 2, R. Schafer 3 2-4 8. Totals 21 6-13 53.

Total fouls — Bartlett 15, Wasilla 16. Fouled out — None. Three-point goals — Chalmers, Brown, Bailey, Roth 4.

Bartlett 6 10 15 7 — 38

Wasilla 11 14 17 11 — 53