Trailing by 11 points three different times in the first half, the Homer girls basketball team drew within six points of Barrow by halftime Saturday afternoon, and harbored legitimate hope in the Class 3A state championship game.
Read more: Familiar 2nd-half surge powers Barrow girls to 3A hoops title
It wasn't flashy, it wasn't high-scoring and their shooting percentage was horrendous, but the Whalers did what they needed to do to get the job done, especially on the defensive end.
Read more: 3A boys: Stingy defense earns Barrow back-to-back state crowns
The Wasilla Warriors did the survive-and-advance thing to get to the championship game of the Class 4A girls basketball tournament, winning an overtime game on their way to the title game.
Read more: Wasilla survives Dimond comeback to capture 4A girls crown
For the first time since Carlos Boozer roamed the court 18 years ago, the Juneau Crimson Bears are Class 4A boys basketball state champions.