The Cordova Wolverines open their season here on Dec.15-16, with many new faces on the court and the sidelines.
Bert Adams, who coached the JV boys last year, has moved up to take over the varsity program. Adams played his high school ball at Yakutat, and then had a very successful eight-year run as the 2A Eagles coach that included seven trips to State and a 2A State title in 2006.
Taking over the JV coaching job is Jake Borst, a former Wolverine that played on the only CHS squad to every make it to the 3A State finals, under Jason Boerger back in 2006.
With only one returning starter, and two varsity players with much varsity experience, the duo inherits a rebuilding project.
“We are young and breaking in a new system,” Adams said. “With that said, we have a solid group of players who have worked hard in the off-season to develops skills to fit in the system we would like to play. I cannot emphasis enough how proud I am of the boys who made this commitment to the Cordova basketball program. When you develop a good work ethic, good things happen.”
Leading this group is their only senior, 6-4 Cody Sjostedt. Then it’s five sophomores: 6-3 Christian Adams, 5-10 Kaiden Graves, 5-8 Duari Rodriques, 6-2 Keegan Estes, and 5-10 Billy Bailey.
“On defense, our style will be a mixture of physicality, aggressiveness and discipline, while learning to harness that energy,” Adams said. “On offense, we will try to control the tempo with emphasis on decisions and shot selection.”
“Our focus is on March and to be playing our best basketball by then,” Adams added. “What we do in December is just a foundation for what we are building; we expect some bumps and bruises along the way. Valdez will be a tough first series, but from a mental perspective it is important to look at the 22 game season.”
Adams mentioned Glennallen as the toughest competition in Conference play, with SuValley as another strong opponent. District playoffs this year will be held in Nenana. In its first two years at the 2A level, Cordova has advanced to the State 2A tournament.
The new-look Wolverines will be trying to make it three in a row.
“The goal, by the end of the season, is to have the discipline it takes to be a successful team,” Adams said. “It’s a basic principle to success in life; when you have it, success will come.”
2017-18 basketball season
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Dec. 15-16 | Valdez (endowment) | Cordova |
| Dec. 27-30 | Rally at Regions Hardwood Classic | Anchorage |
| Jan. 5-6 | Effie Kochran | Effie Kochran |
| Jan. 18-20 | Cordova Tip Off: Palmer JV, ACS, Unalakleet | Cordova |
| Jan. 22-23 | Nenana | Cordova |
| Feb. 2-3 | Glennallen | Cordova |
| Feb. 8-10 | Elks Tournament | Valdez |
| Feb. 16-17 | Tok | Cordova |
| Feb. 23-24 | Unalaska | Unalaska |
| March 2-3 | Su Valley | Su Valley |
| March 8-10 | Conference Regionals | Nenana |
| March 15-17 | State | Alaska Airlines Center |
