The Glennallen girls basketball team has been really, really good the last two seasons. The Lady Panthers unfortunately weren’t able to overcome Seward in the 2A State Championship game on
Saturday, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, falling to the Lady Seahawks, 42-26.
This was the second year in a row the two sides met, with Seward, who has claimed 56-straight victories, winning last year’s title as well.
“Seward played tough defense and put a lot of pressure on our ball handlers,” head coach Jubilee Heinbaugh said. “They took advantage of our mistakes for easy buckets. We were hoping to put an end to their 55-game win streak, but we came up short.”
The Seahawks opened the game with an early lead, and led 11-2 after the first quarter. The Panthers played an even second quarter though, as both teams scored 10 points and they were still in striking distance at the half, down 21-12.
They hung within single digits through the early portion of the third quarter, but Alianna Stone, who was in foul trouble for much of the game, eventually fouled out in that frame. Seward took advantage, taking control of things with a 36-19 lead entering the fourth and Glennallen was unable to make much noise in the final minutes.
“The girls never gave up, kept switching our defense, and starting to find gaps in their zone during the second half,” Heinbaugh said. “We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but with Alianna on the bench in foul trouble most the game, the others stepped up and found ways to put points on the board.”
Still, for her team to make another run at the state tournament, that was something the coach will gladly take, even if they did come up a bit short.
“Only one team wins the whole thing and getting a chance to play in the championship two years in a row is a huge accomplishment for players and coaches involved,” Heinbaugh said. “I'm proud of every one of these girls and the way they grew as the season progressed. When one of the girls had an off night, someone else stepped up.”
The Panthers were led by Chloe Palacios and Raylie Sutherland who had six points apiece, Stone finished with five points, Chisana Korth had three points and Rene Rock-Albert, Koiana Cooley and Anniyah Stone had two points apiece.
Rock-Albert also tracked down 10 rebounds and Korth got her hands on five boards while Palacios swiped away four steals.
For the Seahawks, Mikinley Williams had 13 points and Ava Jagielski had 12 points. Jagielski also reached 1000 points for her career in the contest.
On Friday, Glennallen did battle with Craig in the semi-finals, and they pulled off a 48-37 victory.
Craig led the game late in the first quarter, but Palacios knocked down a field-goal as the buzzer sounded, tying things up at 8-8 after one.
Glennallen carried that momentum into the second quarter, taking 21-16 lead at the half and they were also in front 37-26 entering the fourth.
“We came out a little slow in the semi-final game, but Chloe's buzzer beater to tie the game at the end of the first quarter was a momentum changer,” Heinbaugh said. “We kept that momentum going, and every time Craig tried to close the gap, one of our girls answered.”
Alianna Stone had a big game, getting 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks. Rock-Albert had 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, Korth added six points and she pulled in four rebounds, Sutherland and Cooley had five points apiece with Cooley getting five rebounds and Sutherland passing for three assists.
Palacios finished with four points, two rebounds and two assists. Anniyah Stone was able to get her hands on three rebounds.
Sarah Steffen led Craig with 15 points and Ashlynn Smith netted 11 points.
On Thursday, Glennallen opened up the state tournament with a low-scoring victory over Unalakleet, 33-25.
“Chisana Korth started us off with three threes to go ahead 14 points in the first quarter,” Heinbaugh said. “Unalakleet had us beat in size and played tough in the paint. We held them off to advance to the semi-final.”
The Panthers held leads of 14-1, 20-9 and 25-14 after each quarter break.
They were led by Alianna Stone with 14 points, Korth put in 10, Sutherland finished with three points while Palacios, Cooley and Anniyah Stone all had two points apiece. Alianna Stone also had 11 rebounds and five steals and Korth had four rebounds and four steals.
Violet Jack paced Unalakleet with 16 points.
Glennallen finishes the season 20-4 overall, another impressive season for the Lady Panthers who repeated as Interior Conference Champions for the fifth straight year.
“We have a great group returning and some exciting upcoming players for next year,” Heinbaugh said. “We are sad to see Raylie and Chisana leave the program, but excited for their futures. With four competitive seniors next year, we are in a great place to continue a winning program.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here