Ketchikan’s Brittney Slick scored 19 points as the Kings eliminated the Thunder Mountain Falcons from the 4A Girls Region V tournament Thursday.
For the second time in three days, Thunder Mountain could not match the Kings’ speed and offensive execution, falling 50-33.
Ketchikan led 36-19 at the half after making 10 of 14 free throws.
Nina Fenumiai’s 23 points and strong interior presence was one bright spot for Thunder Mountain. Fenumiai, though, did not receive nearly enough help from her teammates; Kyra Jenkins Hayes, Kira Frommherz and Cyrene Uddipa combined for just 10 points.
Ketchikan will face Juneau-Douglas High School today at 6:30 p.m. The only way for the Kings to make it out of the 4A girls bracket is with two straight wins over JDHS.
The Kings only win against JDHS this season came at home in mid-February. In four regular season wins, the Crimson Bears won by an average of 11 points.
Crimson Bears fend off Kings Wednesday
JDHS defeated Ketchikan 52-45 on Wednesday evening in the second round of the 4A Girls Region V tournament.
The loss of offense once provided by freshman Kendyl Carson (sitting out on a disciplinary violation) has required the young Crimson Bears squad to band together.
Three JDHS players had 14 or more points in Wednesday’s win: Alyxn Bohulano (15), Caitlin Pusich (15) and Cassie Dzinich (14).
“We’ve come almost closer and we’re working as one now,” said junior Morgan Balovich. “I think we’ve all stepped up in our own ways in what we’ve needed to do.”
AJ Dela Cruz lead all Kings scorers with 15 points.
The team opened the game on a 12-3 run. The Crimson Bears led 26-20 at halftime.
Bohulano’s defense helped keep the maroon-and-white from ever taking the lead. The 5 foot, 6 inch sophomore forced several turnovers and led all JDHS players with six third-quarter points.
“We got an athlete that can drive, we got one that can shoot, we got on that can go inside and post up, and so the balance of (inside and outside) is huge. If you have three players that are tough and a nice support system, I mean they did a great job. I’m really, really proud,” head coach Lesslie Knight said.
Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
