Cordova High School’s Lady Wolverines’ season ended with a tough loss to Tok last week in the losers’ bracket of the Interior Conference Playoffs at Glennallen.
Neither team ever led by more than five points in the elimination matchup. Cordova trailed 9-8 at the first quarter, was up 19-17 at halftime, trailed 32 -30 at the end of three quarters, and came up short by a 44-40 final.
Shaunessi Schandel had her best game of the season, pouring in 25 of Cordova’s 40 points before fouling out late in the final stanza, but it was clutch free-throw shooting by Tok in the final minutes that made the difference.
Tok made five out of six from the charity stripe at crunch time.
The Tok girls team cancelled their games with Cordova during Homecoming here on February 17 and 18. The two teams matched up well, playing one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
“The girls came out with hunger and played a hard-fought game,” said Cordova Coach Stacie Chappell. “Tok was just a little more experienced than us.”
Cordova opened the tournament with a 37-18 win over Ninilchik in the first round on Wednesday, March 8. Schandel sparked CHS with nine of Cordova’s first 10 points in the opening quarter and finished with 14 points total. Alayana Goss also had a big game, finishing with 14 points – ten of those in the final quarter.
“It was a great game for us,” said Coach Chappell. “Each girl had their best game, and as a team it was our best too.”
Cordova struggled against top-seeded SuValley in their Thursday, March 9 matchup, falling 51-22. Schandel lead the CHS scoring with 12 points.
Schandel and Kate Flores were named to the All-Conference team.
Summarizing the tournament following the season ending loss to Tok, Chappell said “I couldn’t be more proud of these girls for sticking strong all the way to the end. Lady Wolverine Pride!”
