The Cordova High School boys basketball squad’s run at the 2A championship fell short after the team lost in two games at the state tournament in Anchorage last week.
Head coach Jake Borst told the Cordova Times in an interview that he was proud of his boys and their showing, even though it didn’t amount to a chance at the title.
“I’m glad we were able to make it back to the state tournament,” he said. “It was the first time since 2019 that we were able to make it, and I think we played really hard.”
The wolverines dropped their first quarterfinal game to Metlakatla, 33-50, on March 16.
Borst said Cordova was neck and neck at the start of the game, but the long travel days and exhaustion started to catch up to them at the end.
“We played them close in that first round matchup, we were up by two at halftime actually, but we were just worn down,” he said. “They’re a bigger, more physical team.”
The Cordova boys were knocked out of the tournament their next game on March 17 after losing to Wrangell in the consolation bracket, 47-61, but Borst said it wasn’t for a lack of effort.
“All the boys played really hard,” he said. “We were playing with a lot of effort and our defense was great.”
Borst said that even after last Saturday’s loss, he was proud of the team’s finish this season.
“As a whole, we had a really great team,” he said.
Borst gave special recognition to the seniors on his squad, saying they have been instrumental in the growth of the program.
“It is really nice to have so many outstanding, responsible seniors and upperclassmen. (They) were able to set such a good example to the younger kids and be positive role models on the team,” he said. “The seniors really played their hearts out.”
Cordova finished 21-10 overall, and 7-1 in conference play.
The Ninilchik boys defended their state title this year, winning their second championship in two years since the team voluntarily moved up from the 1A to the 2A class. They beat Tikigaq on March 18 to take the title, 66-53.
