CHS boys finish sixth at state

The Cordova Jr./Sr. High School boys varsity basketball team. Back row: Kaiden Graves, 3, Rustyn Bradford, 42, Christian Adams, 24, Evan Gatton, 4, Keegan Estes, 44, Quin Muma, 20, and Kaleb Carrillo, 32. Front row: Trevor Dundas, 30, Eddiemar Gasmen, 12, Gage Frohnafpel, 14, Billy Bailey, 10, Chrisbelle Pena, 1, and Aaron Phillips, 22.

The Cordova Wolverines had to settle for sixth place at the State 2A basketball tournament in Anchorage on March 14-16, winning one and losing two in Alaska’s version of March Madness.

Tikigaq outgunned Cordova 81-73 in the highest scoring game of the tournament in the March 14 opening round.

The score was tied 41-41 at halftime, with CHS hitting 7 of 10 three pointers in the first sixteen minutes.  Tikigaq responded with full court pressure that caused 19 turnovers and 5 steals and took away Cordova’s three-point attack.

Cordova was outscored 23-15 in the third quarter and trailed by over 20 points midway through the last period, before battling back to lose by eight.

The loss came despite huge efforts from Wolverines Kaiden Graves and Christian Adams.  Graves poured in 32 points, including 7 of 13 from beyond the arc, and Adams had a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds.

Tikigaq had four players in double digits, led by Jalen Cannon with 24 points.

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Cordova and Haines battled through three close quarters in their March 14 consolation matchup.  CHS lead 32-30 at halftime, and Haines took a 45-41 advantage after three period.

But CHS exploded to outscore Haines 18-4 in the final stanza to win 59-49.  Graves finished with 15 points; Adams came up with another double-double, with 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Rustyn Bradford added 14.

Cordova fell to Unalakleet 67-59 in the battle for 4th place on Saturday, March 15.  Adams topped CHS with 23; Graves added 14.  Unalakleet, another quick and balanced squad from northwest Alaska, featured a lineup including five Ivanoffs, was led by All-Stater Aiden Ivanoff, with 25.

Tikigaq topped Metlakalta 53-47 to the State 2A championship game.

Cordova finished 15-11 overall.  The Wolverines will have a deep and veteran squad returning next year, including starters Kaiden Graves, Evan Gatton, and Christian Adams, and Rustyn Bradford.

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Dick Shellhorn
Dick Shellhorn is a lifelong Cordovan. He has been writing sports stories for the Cordova Times for over 50 years. In his Cordova Chronicles features, he writes about the history and characters of this Alaska town. Alaska Press Club awarded Shellhorn first place for Best Humor column in 2016 and 2020, and third place in 2017 and 2019. He also received second place for Best Editorial Commentary in 2019. Shellhorn has written two books about Alaska adventures: Time and Tide and Balls and Stripes. Reach him at dshorn44@gmail.com.