Last year, Ninilchik standout Landon Colburn was named the top player in the Class 1A boys. During the offseason, Ninilchik was bumped to 2A.
Different level, same result.
Colburn has been named the Wasilla Physical Therapy/Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches 2A Boys Player of the Year.
Ninilchik head coach Nick Finley said he believes Colburn is among the best in Alaska at any level.
“This last spring and summer we went up and played against the 3A and 4A competition in the offseason. Yes, he’s the best in 2A, but I think he’s up there in the top five in the entire state,” Finley said.
The success is a product of the work, Finley said.
“It really shows how hard he works. He works in the offseason. He works in the weight room and he works during the season,” Finley said. “Every chance he gets, the kid gives 110%. He pushes his teammates to be the best they can be. He’s worked so hard.”
Colburn averaged 18.5 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5.5 steals per game as a senior.
“Offensively he could go out and score 30 every single night at the 2A level, but he doesn’t,” Finley said. “All five starters averaged double figures throughout the entire season. It shows how unselfish he is.”
Finley said Colburn has really excelled on the defensive side also.
“He takes a lot of pride in his defense,” Finley said. “He’s really bought in, as all of our kids have, to playing defense and really getting our offense going from playing good defense. We create offense from forcing turnovers and forcing teams to play at a place they are not used to.”
Finley said Colburn, a 5-foot-7 guard, was often tasked to defend bigger players.
“It doesn’t matter how big the kid is, Landon finds a way to shut them down,” Finley said.
Finley said Colburn has the aspiration and potential to play at the next level.
“We’re doing everything we can do to get him recognized,” Finley said.
