The Peninsula Conference has two non-Peninsula champions.
The Lumen Christi girls and Birchwood Christian boys won championships Friday at the conference tournament at Lumen Christi, while the Ninilchik girls and Nikolaevsk boys also earned state berths by winning in the second-place games Saturday.
The No. 2 seed Archangels girls toppled Ninilchik, the No. 1 seed and 2016 conference champion, 32-23 in the championship.
The win was historic for Lumen Christi. Coach Nikelle Sherman posted on Facebook that the school has been around for 22 years and this is the first time the Archangels not only won the championship, but also made it to state.
“Their coach had a great game plan for stopping (conference MVP) DeeAnn (White) and those Lumen Christi girls played their hearts out,” Ninilchik girls coach Josh Demlow said. “It was awesome. They fought for everything and earned it for sure.”
Demlow said he was not taking anything away fro his team. Lumen’s home gym was packed with supporters and the coach said it took a lot of grit for his squad to hang in there.
Lumen Christi started fast, taking a 13-6 lead after the first quarter and 19-9 lead at halftime. Ninilchik cut it to 24-20 after three quarters, but Lumen won the final quarter 8-3.
“Our girls were in it at the end,” Demlow said. “They were down four with two minutes left and fouled to try and get back in it but couldn’t convert.”
Nyadeng Puoy, the tournament MVP, had 15 points to lead the Archangels, while DeeAnn White had 12 points to lead the Wolverines.
The top seed Birchwood Christian boys stifled No. 3 Nikolaevsk 46-30 for the conference crown.
Birchwood decided the game in the first half, jumping out to an 11-6 lead after one quarter and a 28-14 lead at halftime. The second half was then 18-16 in favor of Birchwood.
Birchwood received 19 points from Peter Swanberg, 12 points from conference MVP Michael Balos and 10 points from Seth Alexander. JD Mumey paced Nikolaevsk with 11 points.
Ninilchik girls 36, Nikolaevsk 22
Things could have gone one of two ways for the Wolverines after Friday night’s emotional loss in the championship game. They could have came out flat or carried the emotional play into Saturday.
They did the latter.
“The loss last night hurt,” Demlow said of the title tilt. “If we were going to lose in a championship game, though, that’s the way to lose. We lost to a team that put everything out there.”
With Ninilchik seeking a third straight state berth and Nikolaevsk seeking a seventh straight state berth, a tough battle was assured.
“We used the game last night as motivation,” Demlow said. “We did the same thing last year, we lost in the championship game and had to come back.
“We needed to try and fight out a win and we got it done.”
Ninilchik led 10-4 and 20-12 at halftime.
“Today, our girls played incredibly aggressive,” Demlow said. “I felt like we controlled pretty much the entire game.”
DeeAnn White had 12 points for the Wolvereines, while Olivia Delgado pitched in 10. Markiana Yakunin paced the Warriors with nine points.
Nikolaevsk boys 45, Lumen Christi 44
For the fifth straight season, the Warriors won the second-place game to earn a spot at state. This time they had to do it in a tight game in the packed home gym of the opponent.
“It was a loud, crazy gym,” Nikolaevsk boys coach Steve Klaich said. “It was a great atmosphere for basketball.”
Klaich said his team was not offensively, but that didn’t stop the Warriors.
“We’re thrilled,” he said. “The kids played some amazing defense and took care of rebounding. It really paid off because our shooting wasn’t great.”
With 1 1-2 minutes left, Michael Trail hit a bucket to put Nikolaevsk up 45-43. Lumen would cut the gap to 45-44 with a free throw with 1:10 left. After that, Nikolaevsk would make two defensive stops in the final minute to preserve the victory.
Lumen led 8-6 after the first quarter, but Nikolaevsk was on top 24-16 at halftime and 39-30 after three quarters. A frantic Archangels rally came up just short.
Kalenik Molodih, the tournament MVP, had 20 points to lead the Warriors, while Sage Stanish and Michael Trail had 10 points apiece. Trail had 22 rebonds, while Molodih had 16. Klaich said Michael Trail was his player of the game for his performance on both ends of the floor.
For Lumen Christi, Andrew Bennett had 22 points, while Mark Loeffler had 10 points.
Lumen Christi boys 69, Ninilchik 55
The No. 2 seed Archangels kept their season alive Saturday by pulling away from the No. 4 seed Wolverines to move into the second-place game.
Ninilchik, which won’t get to defend its run of two straight Class 1A crowns, led 16-13 after a quarter and trailed 29-25 at halftime.
“We were up for most of the first half, but we got in foul trouble,” Demlow said. “We were down at the half, then they made a little run to start the second half.
“We kept inching back, but could not close the gap.”
Lumen led 47-36 after three quarters.
Demlow said the large crowd on hand helped the Archangels, but he also said his team struggled with things that have been a problem all season — foul trouble and missed layups.
“From where our boys started the season to where they are right now is so exciting for the future of Ninilchik boys basketball,” Demlow said. “Everybody said it would be a rebuilding year, and I said, ‘Yea. But we’ll be solid down the stretch.”
Demlow said the solid finish to the season has the players looking forward to next season. Demlow said players can’t drink soda during the season, so when the game was done, a player asked if he could have soda.
Demlow said sure, but reminded the player offseason workouts start in two weeks. The player came back and reported he had chosen Gatorade.
Andrew Bennett and Mark Lawfler had 21 points apiece for the Archangels, while Daniel Bennett had 15 points and Luhm Poy added 12 points.
For Ninilchik, Garrett Koch led the way with 17 points, while George Nelson had 16 points and Jake Clark pitched in 10 points.
Nikolaevsk girls 42, CIA 25
Elizabeth Fefelov poured in 20 points as the third-seeded Warriors toppled the fifth-seeded Eagles on Friday to move into the second-place game and earn a shot to keep alive a streak of six straight appearances at state.
Cook Inlet was able to stick with the Warriors for a half, but after intermission Nikolaevsk started to pull away. The Eagles led 10-9 after a quarter and trailed 16-14 at halftime. But Nikolaevsk won the third quarter 13-8 and the fourth 13-3.
Adara Warren had 16 to lead the Eagles, while Justina Fefelov also had eight for the Warriors.
Ninilchik boys 44, Nanwalek 31
Friday, he No. 4 seed Wolverines advanced to the second-place semifinal by ending the No. 6 seed Eagles’ season.
The winner of the noon semifinal will play Nikolaevsk for second place and a spot at state. Ninilchik is looking for a chance to run its streak of Class 1A state titles to three.
The Wolverines gradually pulled away as the game wore on, leading 13-11 after a quarter, 26-20 at halftime and 37-26 after three quarters.
George Nelson came through with 17 points for Ninilchik. Marcus Wilson and Uriah Huntstman each had 11 points for Nanwalek.
Peninsula Conference
BOYS
MVP — Michael Balos, Birchwood.
Coach of year — Joshua Hawley, CIA.
All-conference — Michael Balos, Birchwood; Kalenik Molodih, Nikolaevsk; Andrew Bennett, Lumen; Garrett Koch, Ninilchik; Jaden Kurtz, Wasilla Lake.
Second team — Uriah Huntsman, Nanwalek; Peter Swanberg, Birchwood; Seth Alexander, Birchwood; Lam Puoy, Lumen; Michael Trail, Nikolaevsk.
All tournament — Andrew Bennett, Lumen; Garrett Koch, Ninilchik; Seth Alexander, Birchwood; Jaden Kurtz, Wasilla Lake; Lam Puoy, Lumen; Landen Wohrle, Birchwood; Logen Wohrle, Birchwood; Uriah Huntsman, Nanwalek; Peter Swanberg, Birchwood; JD Mumey, Nikolaevsk.
Tourney MVP — Kalenik Molodih, Nikolaevsk.
Free throw — Mason Mullan, Kodiak ESSS.
3-point — Kalenik Molodih, Nikolaevsk.
Academic team — Hunter Moos, CIA; Bradley Nunley, Birchwood; Lucas Cragg, CIA; Braedon Reich, Birchwood; Landen Wohrle, Birchwood; Logen Wohrle, Birchwood; Michael Balos, Birchwood; Keith Cramer, Birchwood; Joshua Boyd, CIA; Brennen Bogasdus, Kodiak ESSS; Shon Nael, Lumen; Sage Stanish, Nikolaevsk; Chris Jackson, Nikolaevsk;
GIRLS
MVP — DeeAnn White, Ninilchik.
Coach of Year — Micah Ellington, Birchwood Christian.
All-conference — DeeAnn White, Ninilchik; Kristin Klaich, Nikolaevsk; Nyadeng Puoy, Lumen; Olivia Delgado, Ninilchik; Maeve Bakic, Lumen.
Second team — Elizabeth Fefelov, Nikolaevsk; Elesheva Tiner, Birchwood; Adara Warren, CIA; Isabella Koch, Ninilchik; Anna Cizek, CIA.
All tournament — DeeAnn White, Ninilchik; Elizabeth Fefelov, Nikolaevsk; Adara Warren, CIA; Isabella Koch, Ninilchik; Kristin Klaich, Nikolaevsk; Markiana Yakunin, Nikolaevsk; Olivia Delgado, Ninilchik; Maeve Bakic, Lumen; Jamie Martin, Lumen; Sophia Dupras, Lumen.
Tourney MVP — Nyadeng Puoy, Lumen Christi.
Sportsmanship — Cook Inlet Academy.
Free throw — Kristin Klaich, Nikolaevsk.
3-point — DeeAnn White, Ninilchik.
Academic team — Kaylen Kallander, Birchwood; Rebecca Cox, Birchwood; Andrea Rios, Birchwood; Faith Clark, Birchwood; Maeve Bakic, Lumen; Serena Becker, Birchwood; Olivia Delgado, Ninilchik; DeeAnn White, Ninilchik; Sophia Klaich, Nikolaevsk; Kristin Klaich, Nikolaevsk; Deborah Brown, Nikolaevsk.
Friday girls championship
Archangels 32, Wolverines 23
Ninilchik 6 3 11 3 — 23
Lumen Christi 13 6 5 8 — 32
NINILCHIK (23) — Delgado 2 0-0 5, Robuck 1 0-0 2, Koch 1 0-0 2, White 4 4-9 12, Cooper 1 0-0 2. Totals — 9 4-9 23.
LUMEN CHRISTI (32) — Estes 0 1-2 1, Bakic 1 2-2 5, Dupras 1 3-5 5, Martin 3 0-0 6, Puoy 5 3-7 15. Totals — 10 9-16 32.
3-point goals — Ninilchik 1 (Delgado); Lumen Christi 3 (Puoy 2, Bakic). Team fouls — Ninilchik 15, Lumen Christi 9. Fouled out — none.
Friday girls 2nd-place semi
Warriors 42, Eagles 25
Nikolaevsk 9 7 13 13 — 42
CIA 10 4 8 3 — 25
NIKOLAEVSK (42) — K. Klaich 3 0-0 7, Fefelov 1 0-0 2, Kain 1 0-0 3, Lasiter 0 0-0 0, Yakunin 0 1-2 1, Mametieff 0 1-2 1, J. Fefelov 3 0-0 8, E. Fefelov 8 4-5 20. Totals — 16 6-9 42.
COOK INLET ACADEMY (25) — Delon 1 0-0 2, Hyatt 0 0-0 0, Cragg 1 0-0 2, Cizek 2 1-4 5, Hammond 0 0-0 0, Warren 6 4-4 16. Totals — 10 5-8 25.
3-point goals — Nikolaevsk 4 (J. Fefelov 2, K. Klaich, Kain). Team fouls — Nikolaevsk 9, CIA 11. Fouled out — none.
Friday boys championship
Birchwood 46, Nikolaevsk 30
Birchwood 11 17 5 13 — 46
Nikolaevsk 6 8 6 10 — 30
BIRCHWOOD CHRISTIAN (46) — P. Swanberg 8 1-2 19, B. Reich 0 0-0 0, J. Swanberg 1 0-0 2, La. Wohrle 0 0-0 0, T. Reich 0 0-0 0, Lo. Wohrle 1 1-2 3, Balos 5 0-0 12, Cramer 0 0-0 0, Nunley 0 0-0 0, Peterson 0 0-0 0, Alexander 4 2-4 10. Totals — 19 4-8 46.
NIKOLAEVSK (30) — Boquecosa 0 0-0 0, Molodih 1 1-2 3, Fefelov 0 0-0 0, Fefelov 0 0-0 0, Stanish 2 0-0 5, Yakunin 1 0-0 3, Kalugin 0 0-0 0, Nikitenko 0 1-2 1, Mumey 4 0-0 11, Trail 3 1-2 7. Totals — 11 3-6 30.
3-point goals — Birchwood 4 (P. Swanberg 2, Balos 2); Nikolaevsk 5 (Mumey 3, Stanish, Yakunin). Team fouls — Birchwood 8, Nikolaevsk 10. Fouled out — none.
Friday boys 2nd-place quarter
Wolverines 44, Eagles 31
Nanwalek 11 9 6 5 — 31
Ninilchik 13 13 11 7 — 44
NANWALEK (31) — Demas 1 1-2 3, J. Jimmy 0 0-0 0, Wilson 5 1-5 11, Bales 3 0-3 6, A. Jimmy 0 0-0 0, Moonin 0 0-0 0, Huntsman 5 1-4 11. Totals — 14 3-14 31.
NINILCHIK (44) — Nelson 6 0-0 17, Corey 0 0-0 0, Koch 2 0-1 4, Hadro 4 0-0 9. Clark 4 0-0 8, McGinnis 0 0-0 0, White 3 0-0 6, Mumey 0 0-2 0. Totals — 19 0-3 44.
3-point goals — Ninilchik 6 (Nelson 5, Hadro). Team fouls — Nanwalek 9, Ninilchik 13. Fouled out — none.
Saturday boys 2nd-place semifinal
Archangels 69, Wolverines 55
Ninilchik 16 9 11 19 — 55
Lumen Christi 13 16 18 22 — 69
NINILCHIK (55) — Nelson 5 1-4 16, Carey 0 0-0 0, Koch 7 3-8 17; Hadro 1 2-3 5, Clark 5 0-0 10, McGinnis 0 0-0 0, White 2 0-4 4, Mumey 1 0-2 3. Totals — 21 6-19 55.
LUMEN CHRISTI (69) — Poy 2 7-9 12, D. Bennett 5 3-6 15, Lynch 0 0-0 0, Bernert 0 0-0 0, A. Bennett 9 2-4 21, Lawfler 10 1-2 21. Totals — 26 13-21 69.
3-point goals — Ninilchik 7 (Nelson 5, Hadro, Mumey); Lumen 4 (D. Bennett 2, Poy, A. Bennett). Team fouls — Ninilchik 17, Lumen 18. Fouled out — Koch, Clark.
Saturday girls 2nd place
Wolverines 36, Warriors 22
Nikolaevsk 4 8 4 6 — 22
Ninilchik 10 10 7 9 — 36
NIKOLAEVSK (22) — K. Klaich 2 0-0 4, Yakunin 3 1-2 9, Mametieff 1 0-0 2, J. Fefelov 0 0-2 0, Hickman 0 0-0 0, E. Fefelov 2 2-2 6. Totals — 8 4-8 22.
NINILCHIK (36) — Delgado 4 1-2 10, Robuck 1 0-0 2, Corey 0 0-0 0, Koch 1 4-6 6, White 5 2-4 12, Cooper 2 2-2 6. Totals — 13 9-14 36.
3-point goals — Nikolaevsk 2 (Yakunin 2); Ninilchik 1 (Delgado). Team fouls — Nikolaevsk 13, Ninilchik 7. Fouled out — none.
Saturday boys 2nd place
Warriors 45, Archangels 44
Nikolaevsk 6 18 15 6 — 45
Lumen Christi 8 8 14 14 — 44
NIKOLAEVSK (45) — Molodih 6 6-6 20, Stanish 4 1-3 10, Nikitenko 1 0-0 2, JD Mumey 1 0-0 3, M. Trail 5 0-0 10. Totals — 17 7-9 45.
LUMEN CHRISTI (44) — Puoy 4 1-6 9, D. Bennett 1 0-2 3, Lych 0 0-0 0, A. Bennett 8 2-4 22, Loeffler 5 0-0 10. Totals — 18 3-12 44.
3-point goals — Nikolaevsk 4 (Molodih 2, Stanish, Mumey); Lumen Christi 5 (A. Bennett 4, D. Bennett). Team fouls — Nikolaevsk 9, Lumen Christi 9. Fouled out — none.
