Saturday: Shaktoolik topples CIA for Class 1A state title

The Shaktoolik boys defeated Cook Inlet Academy 76-55 for the Class 1A state basketball championship Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.

The top-seeded Wolverines (18-3) won the first boys state title in school history, while the No. 2 Eagles (21-6) failed to add to three state titles, the last coming in 2005.

The teams were on a collision course all season. CIA invited Shaktoolik to its season-opening tournament and both teams opened their seasons against each other, with Shaktoolik winning 72-65. The Wolverines also defeated the Eagles 64-41 on Jan. 17.

The Eagles prepped for the rematch for the rest of the season, including by knocking off Class 4A teams Eagle River and Soldotna at the Al Howard Shootout in mid-January.

When the rematch came at the 5,000-seat Alaska Airlines Center, with the lower bowl mostly full and fans scattered in the upper sections, the Wolverines were more than ready, despite having just two seniors on the roster.

“Shoutout to Shaktoolik,” CIA senior guard Ian McGarry said. “They’re good. They showed up.

“That’s the best I’ve seen them play.”

The Wolverines got out to a 23-13 lead after the first quarter — a hole from which CIA would never escape.

“They have a lot of poise for being as young as they are,” CIA head coach Ben McGarry said. “When you look at their roster, they have two seniors and a bunch of sophomores and freshmen, really.”

Coach McGarry knew there was no way his team could score with Shaktoolik.

On defense, the plan was to use a matchup zone, force Shaktoolik to take tough shots from the outside, and get the rebound.

Even though the Wolverines don’t have a player measuring 6-foot-0 on the roster, they play bigger than that. They outrebounded CIA 33-26 and, much to the thrill of the crowd, managed eight blocked shots.

On offense, CIA wanted to get the ball in the middle of Shaktoolik’s 1-3-1 zone after creating some space by moving the ball around.

In the first quarter especially, coach McGarry said his team was hurt by sloppy turnovers and settling for quick 3-pointers. CIA had 21 turnovers to the eight of Shaktoolik.

“We had a game plan that we did not execute as well as we needed to,” coach McGarry said. “I think it worked when we were doing it, and that’s how we came back.”

CIA’s best antidote for the lightning-quick hands, feet and leaping ability of the Wolverines was 6-foot-4 Alek McGarry with room to operate in the middle of the zone.

Alek McGarry, a junior, had a game-high 31 points on 11 of 18 shooting and kept his team in the game through the second and third quarters.

“The second quarter is one of the best quarters I’ve seen him play,” Ian McGarry said of his brother. “I don’t think anybody can guard him, but you could see that tonight for sure.”

CIA trailed 55-46 in the final minute of the third quarter. With Shaktoolik getting the ball, coach McGarry called timeout because he knew it would be a crucial stretch.

The Eagles played good defense after that timeout until sophomore Seth Paniptchuk hit a fadeaway 3-pointer from the top of the key to beat the buzzer.

Shaktoolik got possession going into the fourth quarter. Paniptchuk connected on another 3-pointer and suddenly it was 61-46.

“That probably changed the entire game,” Ian McGarry said. “We can definitely come back from eight, but 14 or 15 is a much harder deficit.

“Props to Seth. Those were huge shots.”

The display also had the whole crowd, minus the section of CIA fans, fully behind the Wolverines.

“They probably had 2 or 3,000 people cheering for them,” Ian McGarry said. “So it’s a big thing to overcome.”

Coach McGarry said he expected Paniptchuk and sophomore Ryan Evan, who had 16, to hit shots. The coach said the big hurt came from freshman Chase Katchatag.

Katchatag had 22 points on 10 of 12 shooting, with 14 rebounds, four steals, four assists and three blocks. Paniptchuk added six assists, six steals and three blocks.

Coach McGarry said Katchatag, listed at 5-10 and 140 pounds, set the tone for Shaktoolik dominating the hustle plays.

“We should not have allowed No. 1 (Katchatag) to dominate the way he did,” coach McGarry said. “He just outhustled our guys all game long.

“He beat us to the ball on offense and defense. So to me, he actually was the key difference maker.”

Ian McGarry had 16 for the Eagles, while Lucas Oyoumick and Zach Armstrong had 3, and Brandt Rollman had 2.

For Shaktoolik, Ray Sagoonick had 6, Austin Rock had 5, Devin Rock had 4 and Mason Paniptchuk had 3.

When Ian McGarry got to CIA, the Eagles hadn’t been to state since 2012. McGarry, who is not sure of his basketball future but plans to keep playing the game, led them there the last three years.

“I think the steps we made to build it back up are huge,” Ian McGarry said. “Obviously, we didn’t quite get it done, but this was still a really amazing team.

“I love the guys I did it with.”

Coach McGarry said it’s tough to see the seniors leave, starting with his son, who had over 2,000 points for his career.

The coach said it was great to have Armstrong on the team this year. Armstrong was diagnosed with leukemia in November 2022 and this year not only helped Kenai Central to the Division III state football title game, but helped the Eagles to the Class 1A title game.

“He’s a really great kid, and to have his family as part of our program was a really neat gift for us,” coach McGarry said.

The coach was happy to welcome Hyrum Henderson back to the program after a year off, while Blaine Hunt was a new player this season who got to come on the state tournament ride. Brady Baeten was injured this season, so served as the manager.

Coach McGarry also thanked his assistant coaches.

“And we had fans,” he said. “We had tons of fans that drove out and paid money to be here.

“They really cheered us on all year. Even today, there was a bunch there, even if they were outnumbered.”

The coach also loves the players he has returning.

“We’ve got a lot coming back,” he said. “We just have to figure out a way to match up with Shaktoolik.”

In the Class 1A awards session, the CIA girls were given the sportsmanship award.

Class 1A boys state all-tournament team

Alek McGarry, Cook Inlet Academy; Brennen Stalker, Selawik; Chase Katchatag, Shaktoolik; Connor Hootch, Emmonak; Ian McGarry, Cook Inlet Academy; Ivan Davis-Nayokpuk, Shishmaref; Jethron Nanalook, Manokotak; Jonathan David Jr., Minto; Keontay Jackson, Kake; Michael Renshaw, Tri-Valley; Neveah Gloko, Manokotak; Nolan Ticket, Buckland; Ray Sagoonick, Shaktoolik; Royce Borst, Skagway; Seth Paniptchuk, Shaktoolik; Tyler Hugo, Nunamiut.

Class 1A girls state all-tournament team

Brook Schaeffer, Noatak; Brooke Phelps, Bristol Bay; Brooklyn Hingesbergen, Selawik; Chloe Wassillie, Akiuk; Summer Sampson, Shaktoolik; Ella Rollman, Cook Inlet Academy; Faith Mudge, Tri-Valley; Jane Ward, Fort Yukon; Jora Savland, Hoonah; Nellie Ward, Fort Yukon; Lea Armour, Klawock; Lindsay Long, Emmonak; Madison Katchatag, Shaktoolik; Renee Kiyutelluk, Shishmaref; Dannika Wassillie, Newhalen; Kylee Carroll, Fort Yukon.