Wasilla boys crush Kardinals for Region III basketball championship

The Wasilla Warriors boys' basketball team left no doubt about which team was the best in the region by destroying the Kenai Kardinals 67-37 to win the Region III basketball tournament at Skyview High School Saturday.

Riding a 35-18 score at halftime, the Warriors continued the push with 32 second-half points to maintain control of the game.

Adam Fitt-Chappell and Ray Schafer led the Warriors with 22 points each.

Fitt-Chappell was named the most valuable player for the tournament.

The Warriors advanced to the title game by defeating Soldotna 51-22 in the opening round Thursday, then defeating Palmer 47-41 Friday in the semifinals.

With Colony losing its semifinal game to Kenai 41-39 Friday, it set up a Valley matchup between Palmer and Colony to see which team would take third place and the final bid for the state tournament.

The Knights jumped to a 20-9 first-quarter lead and never looked back as they paced to a 59-41 victory over the Moose.

Brandon Hyslip led all Knights with 22 points in the game with Joe Reza adding 15.

Colony defeated Homer 75-43 Thursday before losing to Kenai

Friday.

Palmer beat Skyview 82-59 Thursday before losing to the Warriors Friday.

Wasilla, Colony and Kenai all earned 4A state tournament bids, which starts Thursday at the Sullivan Arena.

In 3A/District 3 tournament play at Nikiski, the Houston Hawks earned a third-place finish by defeating Grace Christian 57-43 Saturday.

Nikiski won the region title with a 69-45 win over Anchorage Christian Saturday.