Carstens wins California hoops tourney

Just because the month of March is behind her doesn’t mean Nikiski High School junior Bethany Carstens is done hooping.

Carstens picked up a team championship April 22 with the Alaska Stars at the Elite is Earned Sprint Invitational tournament in Walnut Creek, California. The Nikiski standout represented one of three Alaskan contingents at the tournament, which showcased basketball talents in front of a collection of at least 30 Division I and II college coaches.

The Alaska Stars, an elite program that brings together the state’s top high school players, helps players not only reach their hoops dreams, but also their academic dreams. This year was one of the most successful for the program, as three Stars teams combined for an 11-2 record, highlighted by the Elite team’s title.

Carstens said the opportunity to play at the highest level she has seen in her career was worth it.

“Everyone on that team is one of the best players in the state,” she said. “It was really cool to be part of that and winning it was great.”

As one of only 30 girls from Alaska to compete, Carstens said the action on the court was fast and furious.

“Everything is a lot faster, you’re sprinting and going as hard as you can the entire game and you can’t take a break,” she said. “I wasn’t the go-to person that I’m used to.”

Carstens was joined by nine other Alaska teammates on the Elite team that toppled EBC Elite, a Washington state program, in the championship game 68-44 to claim the U17 title. Carstens said her presence on the boards helped her to bring down rebounds and her shooting accuracy made her a deadly threat from beyond the arc.

Carstens isn’t done yet this year. The soon-to-be-senior will be traveling nearly the entire month of July to play in several elite tournaments, starting July 4 in Oregon and continuing in Chicago, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Rocklin (California) and Orange County.

“I think our clubs are getting a lot better,” she said about the Alaska teams. “Everyone’s getting a lot better, and Alaska may be a little overlooked.”

Financial limitations have put the program and the coaches in a tough situation, but players have helped out by fundraising throughout the school year. Carstens said she has worked to gain sponsorship from local businesses and individuals.

Knowlton drafted into NA3HL

Soldotna hockey veteran Cameron Knowlton took the next step April 18 when he was taken 59th overall in the second round of the 2018 NA3HL draft by the Atlanta Capitols.

Knowlton, a Soldotna senior, was part of a SoHi Stars program that competed at state in 2015 and 2016. Knowlton played this season for the Wenatchee (Washington) Wolves Under-18 AAA team, where he finished with the most team assists. He is currently an affiliate player for the Wenatchee Wild BCHL.

More in Sports

The Kenai Central volleyball team celebrates Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, against Soldotna at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Brackets released for conference volleyball tournaments

Kenai Peninsula volleyball teams will seek state berths Thursday, Friday and Saturday… Continue reading

Soldotna's Wyatt Faircloth celebrates a tackle in the Division II semifinal Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Justin Maile Field at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
SoHi’s Faircloth gets MVP of Al Aska Shrine Classic

Soldotna’s Wyatt Faircloth was named the Most Valuable Player at the Al… Continue reading

tease
Wrestling roundup: Results from Mountain City, Monster Mash Duals

Bethel won the Mountain City Wrestling Invitational on Friday and Saturday in… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Ra'ah Roady, Abigail Price, Sierra Hershberger and Isla Crouse qualified for state in the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays at the Region III Swim and Dive Championships at Kodiak High School on Nov. 1 and 2, 2024. (Photo provided)
Kenai Central’s Abigail Price breaks 2 school records, wins 1 event at region meet

Kenai Central junior Abigail Price led the Kenai Peninsula at the Region… Continue reading

Eagle River quarterback Nolan Beaty is sacked by Soldotna linebacker Wyatt Faircloth on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at Justin Maile Field at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Railbelt, Division II postseason honors announced

The Railbelt All-Conference and Division II All-State teams were released Saturday, Nov.… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears goalie Leif Ekblad moves to cover the puck while teammates Brady Engelkes and Luke Hause try to keep Avery Anderson of the Minnesota Wilderness from scoring Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Wilderness notch sweep of Brown Bears

The Minnesota Wilderness pulled off a North American Hockey League sweep over… Continue reading

Soldotna's Cassidy Kruse hits Soldotna head coach Luke Baumer with a pie as part of the Killing Cancer on the Kenai event on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Weekend volleyball: Kenai stops SoHi, Homer; Nikiski defeats Homer; Seward wins Barrow tourney

The host Kenai Central volleyball team defeated Soldotna in five sets Friday… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Logan Mese scores on Palmer's Mily Christman during the Peninsula Ice Challenge on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna captures Peninsula Ice Challenge

The Soldotna hockey team won the Peninsula Ice Challenge with a 4-0… Continue reading

tease
Zombie Run results posted

The Tsalteshi Trails Association put on the 2024 Zombie Run on Sunday,… Continue reading

Most Read