Wasilla girls, boys split during first day of Doc Larson tourney

WASILLA —One Wasilla squad cruised past one of the top 3A squads, while another nearly knocked off a 4A defending state champion.

The Wasilla girls scored a convincing 61-33 win over the Barrow Whalers, and defending state champion Service escaped with a 38-27 overtime win over the Warrior boys during the first day of Doc Larson's Roundball Classic Monday at Wasilla High.

Nathan Fromm and Brad Wacker each hit free throws during the extra period to help allow Service to edge Wasilla 2-1 in a low-scoring overtime frame.

Fromm stepped to the free throw line with 1 minute and 22 seconds left in the overtime frame. He hit 1 of 2 attempts to give Service the 37-36 lead. Wasilla's Alex Baham hit a free throw with 54 seconds left in overtime to tie the score at 37.

Wacker made a trip to the free throw line with 43 seconds left, and also finished 1 for 2.

After a tight first quarter, Wasilla used an 11-7 second-quarter run to take a three-point halftime lead. Service outscored Wasilla 11-6 in the third quarter, and held a 36-34 lead late in the game.

The Warriors tied the game during the final minute of regulation to force overtime.

Baham and Isaack Houck each scored a game-high 13 points to lead the Warriors. Baham shot 5 of 9 from the floor, including 2 of 5 from beyond the three-point line.

Ryan Milleron added nine for Wasilla.

Houck notched the double-double in the loss, also finishing with a game-high 11 rebounds.

Wacker and Ebon Upton scored 11 points each to lead Service.

Wasilla dropped to 1-1 with the loss. The game was also Wasilla's second straight against a team that played for a 4A state title last year. The Warriors opened the season with a win over West Anchorage, last season's state runner-up.

In girls action, Wasilla outscored Barrow 14-8 in the first quarter, and took a big lead with a 20-8 second-quarter run. The Warrior defense forced 33 Barrow turnovers and held the Whalers to 25 percent shooting in the game.

Leya DePriest posted a double-double to lead Wasilla. DePriest finished with 13 points on 6 of 13 shooting, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Wasilla out-rebounded Barrow 42-29 in the game.

Azlynn Brandenburg added eight points in the win, while McKenna Dinkel and Cassidy Edwards chipped in seven each.

Wasilla improved to 2-0 with the victory.

The Wasilla boys hosted defending state champion Service Monday evening, but results were unavailable before press time. See frontiersman.com/sports for more.

Six boys teams and four girls teams are included in the 2014 field, for there days of round-robin basketball. Eight of the 10 programs are from Alaska, and two squads are from outside the state.

The Lake Stevens Vikings of Lake Stevens, Washington, are in the girls' field. The Mesa Verde Mavericks of Citrus Heights, California, are in the boys' field.

Thunder Mountain, Barrow and host Wasilla round out the girls' field. Thunder Mountain, Service, Barrow, West Valley and Wasilla round out the boys' field.

Half of the Alaska teams in the field advanced to the state tournament last year. Service is the defending 4A boys state champion. The Barrow girls placed third at the 3A level, and the West Valley boys placed fourth in the 4A bracket.

The tournament also features one of the most intriguing talents in Alaska. Kamaka Hepa, a 6-foot-7 freshman on the Barrow boys basketball squad, was named the best eighth-grader by an ESPN analyst during an invitation-only showcase for eight and ninth graders in Tennessee.

Wasilla girls 61, Barrow 33

Doc Larson's Roundball Classic

Monday, Wasilla High

Barrow 4-8-7-14--33

Wasilla 14-20-15-12--61

Barrow (33) — Wolgemuth 2 4-6 8, Kim 1 0-0 2, Nicely 2 3-7 7, Tuai 1 4-6 6, Mongoyak 4 2-2 10; 10 13-23 33.

Wasilla (61) — Kelly 1 1-1 3, Drorbaugh 1 3-4 5, Heath 1 0-0 2, Obremski 1 0-0 2, Baham 3 2-6 8, Lindeman 1 0-0 2, Brandenburg 4 0-3 8, Toews 1 0-1 3, Dinkel 3 1-3 7, Edwards 2 3-4 7, DePriest 6 1-2 13; Totals: 24 9-19 61.

3-point field goals: Barrow 0, Wasilla 4 (Baham 2); Total fouls: Barrow 17, Wasilla 20.

Service boys 38, Wasilla 37

Doc Larson's Roundball Classic

Monday, Wasilla High

Service 8-7-11-10-2--38

Wasilla 7-11-6-12-1--37

Service (38) — Wacker 4 3-8 11, Upton 2 6-9 11, Drammeh 3 0-0 6, Fromm 4 2-3 10; Totals: 13 11-20 38.

Wasilla (37) — Milleron 3 1-2 9, Baham 5 1-2 13, Garnett 1 0-0 2, Houck 5 2-2 13; Totals: 14 4-6 27.

3-point field goals: Service 1 (Upton 1), Wasilla 5 (Baham 2); Total fouls: Service 14, Wasilla 18.