Tikigaq boys begin defense of their 2019 title by romping into Class 2A semifinals

The Tikigaq Harpooners had to wait two years to begin defense of the state championship they won in 2019, so they were more than ready to go Thursday when the Class 2A tournament started at Palmer High School.

Joelian Lane poured in 31 points to lead the team from Point Hope to a 72-34 romp over Scammon Bay in first-round action.

The Harpooners will face Glennallen in a 6 p.m. semifinal game Friday at Palmer High. Hooper Bay and Tok will meet in the 8 p.m. semifinal.

Lane shined by hitting 13 of 22 shots and was joined in double figures by teammate Gevin Oenga, who scored 13. Henry Kowunna added eight points, eight rebounds and five steals.

Jerry Kaganak led Scammon Bay with 14 points.

In Thursday’s other games, Glennallen beat Sekawik 67-46, Hooper Bay stopped Su Valley 70-47 and Tok defeated Unalakleet 85-59.

Glennallen held Selawik scoreless in the second quarter en route to a 32-10 halftime lead. Hunter Terrel and Ryan Albert led the Panthers with 23 and 20 points, respectively, and Terrel added six rebounds.

Axel Snyder paced Selawik with 21 points and seven rebounds.

In the night games, Hooper Bay used a big first half and Tok used a big second half to claim victories.

Tok pulled away from Unalakleet after a close first half, outscoring the Wolfpack 51-29 in the second half after leading by four at the break.

Tok’s Revyn Almquist Corgill dropped in 29 points on 11 of 21 shooting from the field and 6 of 6 shooting from the foul line. Jeffery Adams supplied a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Teddy Northway added 16 points.

Unalakleet got a boost from Ellsworth Haugen’s 27 points and 10 rebounds and Cody Ivanoff’s 21 points.

Hooper Bay grabbed a 28-7 first-quarter lead to breeze past Su Valley. The Warriors shot better than 50% from the field, hitting 29 of 53 shots.

Each team placed three players in double figures.

For Hooper Bay, Nile Smith had 26 points, Evin Matchian 16 and Latrell Lake 10. For Su Valley, Bryson Jolley provided 15 points and 10 rebounds, Charles Goodman had 12 points and Tristan Shelby 11.

ASAA March Madness

Class 2A boys

Thursday’s games

Tikigaq 72, Scammon Bay 34

Glennallen 67, Selawik 46

Tok 85, Unalakleet 59

Hooper Bay 70, Su Valley 47

Friday’s consolation games

Noon -- Scammon Bay vs. Selawik, Palmer High

Noon -- Su Valley vs. Unalakleet, Wasilla High

Friday’s semifinals

6 p.m. -- Tikigaq vs. Glennallen, Palmer High

8 p.m. -- Tok vs. Hooper Bay, Palmer High