The South Wolverines used a flurry of late 3-pointers to pull ahead and away from their south-side rival in a 48-37 victory over the Service Cougars in Cook Inlet Conference basketball action Friday night.
The game came on the final night of regular-season play and sends South and into next weekend’s conference tournament on a high note.
“We were really able to come together as a team in the fourth quarter,” said Wolverines senior Aidan Ohlson. “It’s a great feeling going into regions, because we know we might play them again.”
A week earlier, South used a second-half rally to force overtime before prevailing 58-49 over the Cougars. South improved to 8-6 and clinched the No. 4 seed in the upcoming CIC tournament, which begins Wednesday. Service slipped to 6-8 and is the No. 5 seed.
“Service always plays us tough,” South coach Jamaal Siah said. “It’s always a rivalry, it’s always good. Back-and-forth throughout the game. We were able to knock down a lot of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and play tough defense. I think that was the difference late in the game.”
The Wolverines bounced back from a two-point loss to Bartlett on Tuesday thanks in large part to senior captains Ohlson and Reece Ivanoff. They were forces on both ends of the court and both scored in double figures.
“They’ve been carrying us all year and it was no surprise that when the opportunity presented itself, they were able to knock down some shots for us,” Siah said.
Ivanoff led South with a game-high 23 points and Ohlson had 11.
“I can’t say enough about Reece,” said Ohlson. “I think he is one of the best players in the state, we’re beyond grateful to have him and he was a huge part of the win tonight.”
The Wolverines knocked down five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to come from behind.
A low-scoring first half ended in a 18-18 tie, and Service led 28-23 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, South began hitting from both mid- and long-range and attacked the glass for layups and put-backs.
A pair of back-to-back 3-pointers from senior AJ Yabut ignited the comeback, and with four minutes left in regulation, Ohlson made the bucket that tied the game 33-33 and then hit another from behind the arc moments later to give the Wolverines their first lead of the half.
“I felt like it was an opportunity for me to step up for my team,” said Ohlson. “We set a screen on my guy and he dipped under so I was wide open for the three and I took it.”
South finish with a 15-4 run to seize the victory.
The game marked the second time teams played front of spectators after the city listed capacity restrictions earlier in the week. Even though it was technically a home game for the Cougars, the bleachers were filled with rowdy friends and family members from both teams and the Wolverines fed off the energy.
“We got the best parents, the most passionate parents in the state. I guarantee that,” said Siah. “They’re going to pack the stands and be ready to go.”
Service was coming off its biggest win of the season, 49-45 over Dimond on Tuesday, but wasn’t able to ride the momentum. The Cougars were led in scoring by Dylan Westlake and Chris Blalock with 13 points apiece.
Other boys games
Chugiak 55, Bartlett 54 — Owen Lewis scored a buzzer-beating basket while falling out of bounds to lift the Mustangs to a one-point win over Bartlett. With the win, Chugiak secured the No. 2 seed for the upcoming CIC tournament.
Lewis, a senior, came through on Senior Night with 18 points. His final bucket came after he drove from the top of the key to the baseline, where he hit a fallaway layup.
Jackson Wall added 17 points for the Mustangs. Bartlett was led by D.J. Joseph’s 18 points and Bishop Tosi’s 14.
East 48, Dimond 38 — The East Thunderbirds wrapped up an undefeated regular season by handing Dimond a home-court loss. Hasaan Herrington poured in 18 points and Jahbez Sellers added 14 for the T-birds, who led 28-16 at the half.
Bladi Lena scored 11 points to lead the Lynx.
In Friday’s other game, West toppled Eagle River 66-48. No details were reported.
Girls games
Bartlett 69, Chugiak 37
Amelia ‘Uhila ended the regular season the way she started it — by racking up a triple-double. Bartlett’s sensational senior piled up 20 points, 10 assists, 10 steals and seven rebounds to help the Golden Bears complete an undefeated run through the regular season.
Kendal Hodgdon matched ‘Uhila’s 20 points for Bartlett, which raced to 21-1 first-quarter lead.
Chugiak senior Ari Lewis, in her final home game, made a big impact on Senior Night with 27 points for the Mustangs.
Dimond 59, East 41
Freshman Maile Wilcox pumped in 27 points to propel the Lynx to a decisive victory over East. She scored 11 points in the first quarter to boost Dimond to an 18-6 lead.
Hailey Seuteni and Deajahnae Bobbitt combined for 20 points for Dimond. For East, Nyathiel Wal scored 11 and Kristi Anderson had 10.
In Friday’s other girls game, South beat Service 48-31 and West won by forfeit over Eagle River. No details were reported from the South-Service game.
CIC boys standings
East 14-0
Chugiak 11-3
Dimond 9-5
South 8-6
Service 6-8
West 5-9
Bartlett 3-11
Eagle River 0-14
CIC girls standings
Bartlett 14-0
Dimond 12-2
West 9-5
East 8-6
Chugiak 7-7
South 4-10
Service 2-12
Eagle River 0-14