Wasilla girls continue to win

WASILLA - The Wasilla girls proved that size is better than speed against a 5-0 Kenai Kardinal girls basketball team Friday.

The small yet speedy Kardinals flew onto Wasillas home court with constant full-court pressure in a matchup of two top-ranked Region III girls teams.

We wanted to get in their face to limit their offensive opportunities, Kardinal coach Jim Beeson said. We knew we would have a hard time matching up with their post players.

Kenais strategy worked, for awhile.

The Kards ran up a 13-9 lead over the Warriors after forcing seven Warrior turnovers in the first quarter. A couple of court-long passes to Warrior wide receivers Nancy Wininger and Brittney Kroon, which resulted in easy scores, were enough to force the Kardinals to back off the press early in the second quarter.

But it was too late for Kenai when Warrior Alina Minnick netted three points off Renaye Lavins behind-the-back pass and ensuing foul shot, putting Wasilla up for good 18-15 midway through the second quarter. Minnick scored eight points in the game.

Our coach had a talk with us before the game, Minnick said. She was telling us that they were quick. And they were pretty fast. Its good for us to play some teams like that.

The Kardinals remained within striking distance throughout the game, but the Warriors allowed only four Kardinals to score.

Cory Hershberger led the way for the Kardinals with 12 points and Erica Shinn added 10.

Wasilla countered with some defensive prowess of its own, limiting Kenai to just three points in the second and fourth quarters. Lavin led Wasilla with 12 points, while Kroon added 10.

KENAI (29) Kr. Knudsen 2 1-3 5, Ka. Knudsen 0 0-0 0, Reilly 0 0-0 0, Montgomery 0 0-0 0, Hershberger 3 4-6 12, Arbelovsky 1 0-0 2, Edwards 0 0-0 0, Polak 0 0-0 0, Shinn 5 0-2 10. Totals 11 5-11 29.

WASILLA (37) James 2 1-2 5, Lavin 5 2-3 12, Jenks 0 0-0 0, Minnick 2 4-8 8, Hayes 0 0-0 0, Jillson 0 0-0 0, Kroon 4 2-2 10, Wininger 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 9-15 37.

Total fouls Kenai 17, Wasilla 13. Fouled out Hershberger, Arbelovsky. Three-point goals Hershberger 2.

Kenai13310329

Wasilla9146837

Palmer 68, Skyview 19

Lisa Thomas scored 16 points and Tami Callison added 15 for the Moose, as they dominated the Panthers from the very start Friday at Palmer High School.

Palmer 71, Homer 28

Defense took center stage for the Moose, as they allowed only 11 second-half points to hammer the Mariners Saturday night at Palmer High School.

On offense, Katie Williams poured in a game-high 26 points, including 15 in the third quarter alone.

Colony 64, Homer 47

Jessica Moore scored a game-high 28 points for the Knights, who also got 10 points from McKenzy Menard as Colony rolled past Homer Friday at Colony High School.

Colony 51, Skyview 29

The Knights sent the Panthers packing Saturday, as Colony dominated Skyview to post its second victory in as many nights against a Kenai Peninsula opponent.

Seward 62, Su Valley 38

The Rams fell to the Seahawks despite getting eight points each from Anika Swed and Margaret Denkewalter Saturday at Su Valley High School.

Su Valley 46,

Cook Inlet Academy 34

Danielle Pratt scored 17 points and Swed added 10 for the Rams, who outscored Cook Inlet 18-4 in the second quarter.

Nikiski 60, Su Valley 29

Ireta Dehlin scored 10 points, all in the second half, but it was not enough to carry the Rams. Pratt added eight points for the Rams.

Seward 57, Houston 32

The Hawks dropped their second game of the weekend as the Seahawks jumped to an early lead and never trailed.

Nikiski 53, Houston 20

Freshman Linnea Pudwill scored 10 points, half of her entire teams total, but Nikiski used plenty of depth to counter and defeated the Hawks Friday night.Photo: Wasillas Brittney Kroon pulls down a rebound as Kenais Stephanie Arbelovsky tries to box out.Photo by GENE JANSEN.