The Cordova Wolverines finished third at State in their first year at the 2A level, and despite the loss of four starting seniors, are beginning the new basketball season with high hopes.
“We’ve got an interesting mix of veterans and freshman this year”, said Coach Mike Adams. “Practices have been going well, although several of the guys missed the first weeks due to wrestling.”
Returning varsity players include seniors Andrew Werner, Camaron Gillespie, Andrew Muma, and Zach Hamberger, junior Cody Sjostedt, and sophomore Billy Bailey. “They have been doing a good job of leading the way and helping the younger players”, said Adams, who has 18 freshman trying out this year.
Cordova could field a very tall squad. Werner and Sjostedt both stand 6-3, Gillespie is 6-2, and a pair of promising newcomers, Keegan Estes and Christian Adams, are also 6-2.
Adams will also have an Adams on the sideline to help out. Bert Adams, a highly successful coach from Yakutat and a former 2A Coach of the Year, will be his assistant coach this year. “It will be great to have him as part of the program”, said Coach Mike Adams. “Especially with so many young players we can both work with.”
Cordova opens the season with a bang. The Wolverines travel to Anchorage for the Rally the Regions tournament on Dec. 27-30. The four-day Invitational features teams from 2A and 1A schools all over Alaska. This year, Petersburg, Metlakatla, Unalakleet, Aniak, Dillingham, Unalaska, Bristol Bay, and Cordova will attend.
Unalaska and Petersburg played in the 2A state title game, with the Raiders topping the Vikings for the first state title in that school’s history. Pairing for the first three days of the tournament have already been set, and Cordova will face Dillingham, Unalaska, and Bristol Bay in the first three rounds. Matches for the final round will depend on the outcome of the earlier games.
“We are really excited about opening the season with such great competition”, said Adams. “It sounds a lot like the State 2A tournament last year to me.”
Cordova will play its first home games on Jan. 13-14 against Conference foe Su-Valley, and the week after that will host the Cordova Tipoff, featuring Unalaska, Eielson, and Haines.
