JDHS righted the ship and closed the stanza with scores by K. Baxter inside, Nizich inside and a pair of free throws and freshman Athena Warr inside for the 65-43 final.
“I’m so proud of my girls, for giving their all and just staying humble,” JDHS’ K. Baxter said. “This week was insane! It was the loudest I’ve ever heard a gym before. I’m proud of the Ketchikan girls too, and happy they gave us two good and tough games. It feels so surreal. Job’s not finished yet though!”
Nizich led the Crimson Bears with 23 points, K. Baxter added 18, C. Baxter eight, Lockhart five, Johnson three, senior Addison Wilson, Tokuoka and Warr two each. Nizich had three steals, three assists and three rebounds. C. Baxter had seven rebounds and two assists. K. Baxter 10 rebounds and three assists. Lockhart had four steals, four assist and four rebounds and Tokuoka had three steals, two assists and five rebounds.
JDHS hit 14-21 at the free throw line, Kayhi 4-16
Bauer led the Kings with 12 points, Brendible nine, Macmanus eight, senior Lilli Goodwin six, freshmen Claire Ruaro and Lauren Tucker three apiece, and freshman Peyton Nickich two.
This is the JDHS’ sixth win over Kayhi this season. They opened country wise email marketing list regions with a 64-36 win and won 58-27, 67-28 at Ketchikan Jan. 17-18, and 52-23 and 51-23 at home Feb. 13-14.
The Crimson Bears advance to the ASAA 3A/4A Basketball State Championships March 19-22 at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. JDHS is 19-6 overall and 6-0 in the Southeast Conference. Kayhi ends their season at 8-17 overall, 0-6 SEC.
“Ketchikan did an amazing job hosting this tournament,” coach Nizich said. “It was a packed house every night and so fun seeing all the teams, fans, cheer, dance, and band being so loud. What a unique and incredible atmosphere we get to play in. We want to thank Ketchikan for their wonderful hospitality this week.”
In other Friday action the Metlakatla Chiefs and MisChiefs claimed their respective girls and boys Region V championship and first seed to the state tournament. The MisChiefs topped Haines 53-22 and the Chiefs topped Wrangell 57-46.
The Wrangell girls eliminated Craig 55-39 and th e aero leads Petersburg boys ended Haines’ tournament 28-26. Wrangell and Petersburg play in Saturday’s second-place games to determine the second seed to the state tournament. They will play the losers of Friday’s Metlakatla championship wins. The Wrangell and Haines girls will play for the second state berth and the Wrangell and Petersburg boys for the second state berth.
