A pair of sharpshooting teams from the Northwest Conference dashed Cordova’s hopes at this year’s 2A State Tournament in Anchorage on March 16-18.
Legendary Unalakleet Coach Steve Ivanoff, a former Wolfpack player with over 40 years of experience at their helm, fielded a team that included six Ivanoffs on its roster. It was appropriately named Arctic Ivanoff from the high school of 38 students who constantly iced long-range shots. The 5-10 junior hit four for four from three-point range, including a pair of treys with one second left in the first and third quarters.
CHS trailed 25-17 at the quarter and 44-33 at halftime. Unalakleet held Cordova to 4 points in the third quarter, eventually winning 75-55. The Wolfpack made 14 of 30 three pointers, generating 42 points from beyond the arc.
Freshman Christian Adams led Cordova with 18 points, and Andrew Werner added 15. David Johnson topped Unalakleet with 22.
The Cordova-Point Hope matchup was much closer. CHS trailed 18-10 at the quarter but battled back to tie it up 26-26 at halftime. The Wolverines took a 43-41 lead after three quarters, but turnovers against Harpooner full court pressure took their toll, as Pt. Hope won by a 65-58 final.
Final stats showed Pt. Hope scored 23 points off turnovers, and CHS gave up 49 turnovers total against the two speedy teams from the Northwest.
Christian Adams again led Cordova, this time with 16 points; Werner and Andrew Muma followed, with 15 and 12 respectively. Pt. Hope had four players in double digits, led by Kirk Kaliksun with 19.
The 2A Championship game was a rematch of the Southeast Conference playoff, with SE winner Petersburg topping SE runner-up Metlakatla by a 46-26 final.
Stewart Conn of Petersburg was named Tournament MVP. Cordova freshman Christian Adams was selected to the All-Tournament team.
Cordova finished the season with an overall 16-13 won lost record.
