The Soldotna girls and Nikiski boys basketball teams each played their way into the semifinals of the 54th Annual Joe Floyd Christmas Tournament on Monday in Kodiak.
In the girls tournament, Bethel and North Pole played the first game, with North Pole winning 57-26 to set up a game with Nikiski. The Warriors topped the Bulldogs 45-13 to reach the semifinals. Soldotna topped Kodiak 45-28 to reach the semifinals.
Today, Bethel and Kodiak face off in the playback bracket at 9 a.m., with the winner facing Nikiski at 6 p.m. The semifinal between the Stars and Patriots is at 2 p.m.
In the boys tournament, Bethel and Nikiski faced off in the opening game, with Nikiski winning 52-37 to move to a matchup with North Pole, which the Bulldogs won 60-45 to reach the semis. Kodiak reached the other semifinal by toppling Soldotna 62-44.
Today, Bethel and Soldotna play in the playback bracket at 11 a.m., with the winner playing North Pole at 8 p.m. The semifinal between Kodiak and Nikiski takes place at 4 p.m.
Soldotna girls 45, Kodiak 28
The Stars took a 25-8 lead after the first half en route to a first round victory.
Rhys Cannava had 17 points for the Stars, while Tanner Inman pitched in 12. Also for Soldotna, Kaitlyn McAnelly and Ellie Burns each had six, Montana Fischer had two and Katelyn Morrison and Morgan Lemm each added a point.
For Kodiak, Avie Arevalo had 13, while Shanoah Spear had four, Kate Holland, Hannah Nero and Mariella Mangrobang each had three, and Serenty Bushell had two.
Kodiak boys 62, Soldotna 44
The Bears led 29-20 after the first half en route to winning the game on the first day.
Jackson Knug paced the Bears with 17 points, while Connor Case had 13 and Shawn Case added 10. Also for Kodiak, John Ticman and Frankie Marcelo each had eight, Mason Mullan had four and Joren Valdez had two.
For the Stars, Maleda Denbrock and Ethan Sewell led the way with 10 points apiece. Daniel McRorie pitched in eight, while Jakob Brown and Brock Wilson each had six, and Zac Buckbee and Will Inman each had two.
Nikiski boys 52, Bethel 37
The Bulldogs trailed 19-18 at halftime before winning the second half 34-18.
Charlie Chamberlain led the way for the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Drew Handley had 10, Brady Bostic had nine, Braedon Porter had seven, Dillon Hanson had five, Seth Payne had four and Isaiah Daniels had three.
For Bethel, Peter Crow had 22, Greg Turner had 11 and Paul Dyment and Mathew Fredricks had two apiece.
Nikiski boys 60, North Pole 45
The Bulldogs trailed 35-31 at halftime and 45-44 after three quarters, but won the final quarter 16-0.
Brady Bostic had 21 points to lead the Bulldogs, including nine in the final quarter. Also for Nikiski, Braden Porter had 15, Seth Payne had eight, Isaiah Daniels had six, Drew Handley had five, Charlie Chamberlain had four and Levi Anderson had one.
North Pole girls 45, Nikiski 13
The Patriots took a 22-5 lead after the first half in cruising to victory in the tournament opener.
Ahcia Guzman had 15 points to lead North Pole, while Tiahna Guzman had 11 and Nevaeh Robinson had 10. Also for North Pole, Madison Gylmn had four, Taylor Croan had three and Jill Ross had two.
For the Bulldogs, Destiny Langston had four, Kinlee Jeffreys and Ember Nelson each had three, Emma Weeks had two and Brooke Abel added one.
