Warriors win season opener

WASILLA -- It was only the first game of the season, but from the looks of the Wasilla High Gym on Friday, one could have thought that Wasilla and Colony were playing for the region championship.

A standing-room only crowd witnessed the Wasilla Warriors take the first Valley showdown of the season, 66-50.

It did not take long for the packed house to erupt, as Wasilla center Ray Schafer single-handedly brought the crowd to their feet.

The 7-foot center almost looked like a 6-foot guard as he sprawled to steal the ball from a Colony opponent, took the ball the length of the court and finished the play in dunking fashion.

The dunk marked the first points of the Warrior season and the first points of Schafer's senior campaign.

He was not done.

Seconds later, the dunking Warrior gave Wasilla 4-0 lead with an encore slam.

Again, the Wasilla patrons rose to their feet.

"I didn't even think about it," Schafer said of his plays. "Last year they would have been layups."

After his mini-slamfest, Schafer turned the spotlight over to Buddy Bailey who proceeded to torch the Knights for 28 points in his Warrior debut.

Bailey hit four shots from behind the arc.

"Buddy and Ray had a lot of good looks on offense," Wasilla head coach Jason Marvel said. "You have to hand it to Buddy, he can shoot the ball."

Wasilla was able to jump out in front quick. Though the Warriors led by double digits for a good portion of the game, Colony kept nipping at Wasilla's heals.

"The score does not reflect how tough this game was," Marvel said. "Colony's tough; they kept fighting every step of the way."

Wasilla had a modest first quarter lead, until Bailey struck late in the first period.

After hitting a pair of free throws, the local furniture celebrity registered a steal and followed with a three-pointer. Bailey's five points gave Wasilla an 11-point lead.

The Warriors were able to maintain that comfortable cushion and cruised into the half with a 14-point lead.

Wasilla even brought out a new look toward the end of the contest. No, they didn't all the sudden change their school colors to blue and white, but they did switch their defensive strategies.

Marvel and the Warriors pulled the zone defense out of their bag of tricks.

"This is the first time in five years the zone has been played in this gym," Marvel said. "Wasilla is primarily a man-to-man team, but it gives us a different look."

The contest was unusual in the fact that not only a pair of region foes, but a set of crosstown rivals were paired against each other in the opening game of the season.

The idea brought mixed reviews, but all agreed their was not a lack of intensity.

"There was great intensity out there and our guys stepped up," Schafer said.

"Playing our rival the first game of the season certainly sets a tone," Marvel said. "For the team that loses, it definitely puts a damper on. It is only part of the journey."