The Thunder Mountain High School Boys Basketball team travelled to Ketchikan this weekend, losing two games to the state’s No. 1-ranked team.
The Falcons stuck with their opponents for the majority of Saturday’s game, but were blown out 10-30 in the third quarter, leading to a lopsided 70-45 final score.
Kayhi Kings senior Jason James took Thunder Mountain for 16 points in the third period. TMHS head coach John Blasco saw that as the game’s turning point.
“We played them close in the first half,” Blasco said. “Everything went wrong in the third and we weren’t able to regain our composure.”
James led all scorers on Saturday with 24 points, followed by senior teammate Nathan Bonck with 18, senior Matt Standley with 12 and senior Isaac Johnson with seven.
Friday’s match remained even throughout, ending 54-62 in Kayhi’s favor. The Falcons played a “really nice inside game,” according to Blasco, and spread the ball around offensively, with five players scoring more than six points.
“Guys came off the bench with good energy and good attitude. A few key possessions changed the game for us,” Blasco said.
TMHS dug a hole in the first period of Friday’s game, going down 8-17, but clawed their way back to a 23-23 tie by halftime.
Ketchikan was led by senior Jason James with 17 points, seniors Isaac Johnson and Matt Standley both had 12, while senior Nathan Bonck added 10.
Thunder Mountain junior Mahina Toutiolepo and senior Chase Saviers led the Falcons with 10 points each. Senior Moa Maka and junior Riley Olson both had nine.
This week, the Falcons play at home against Mt. Edgecumbe at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
