Wasilla boys force OT against state champs; girls cruise

WASILLA — Wasilla senior Braydon Kuiper hit a three-pointer to force overtime against the defending state champions, but Bartlett had just enough left in the tank to edge the Warriors 78-72 on Thursday at Wasilla High.

Bartlett outscored the Warriors 12-6 in the tiebreaker to score the nonconference win.

Kuiper led the Warriors with a game-high 21 points. Junior Eric Roberts and freshman Dane Kuiper scored 16 points each. Senior Connor Devine added 15 points and a game-high 19 rebounds.

Wasilla outrebounded Bartlett 33-20.

The game featured the top two teams in the state, according to the latest Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches Poll. Bartlett is ranked first, and Wasilla is second.

The Warriors host a pair of Northern Lights Conference games this weekend. Wasilla plays Soldotna tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Kenai Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Bartlett 78, Wasilla 72 OT

Thursday, Wasilla High

Bartlett 22-15-14-15-12—78

Wasilla 20-12-17-17-6—72

Bartlett (78) — Anthony 5 6-6 8, King-Dunbar 6 3-6 16, Honore 2 0-0 5, Maduro 6 2-2 16, Morales 1 0-0 3, Rial 4 5-10 13, Sherman-Newsome 3 0-0 7; Totals: 27 16-24 78.

Wasilla (72) — Ferro 1 2-3 4, B. Kuiper 8 4-6 21, D. Kuiper 6 3-3 16, Devine 6 3-5 15, Roberts 5 5-5 16; Totals: 26 17-22 72.

Three-point field goals: Bartlett 8 (Anthony, Maduro 2), Wasilla 3 (3 tied with 1); Total fouls: Bartlett 21, Wasilla 16.

Wasilla girls 68, Bartlett 19

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors used a 29-4 first-quarter run to sprint past the Bartlett Golden Bears 69-19 at Wasilla High on Thursday.

Alyssa Hutchins and Alysha Devine each scored a game-high 16 in the win. Kyla Dinkel added 10.

Wasilla 68, Bartlett 19

Thursday, Wasilla High

Bartlett 4-7-8-0—19

Wasilla 29-15-18-6—68

Bartlett (19) — Mann 2 0-0 5, Little 2 0-0 4, Calloway 2 0-0 6, Rypkeme 1 0-0 2, Panoam 1 0-0 2; Totals: 8 0-0 19.

Wasilla (68) — Ford 0 2-2 2, Hutchins 5 4-4 16, Imoe 3 3-4 9, Koso 2 0-2 4, Brumbaugh 1 0-0 2, Devine 1 8-9 16, Toews 0 1-2 1, Edwards 1 0-2 2, Dinkel 5 0-1 10, Garcia 0 2-4 2, Burke 2 0-0 4; Totals: 23 20-30 68.

Three-point field goals: Bartlett 3 (Calloway 2), Wasilla 2 (Hutchins 2); Total fouls: Bartlett 18, Wasilla 7.