Susitna Valley Junior and Senior High was the host of the first ever Crowley Invitational basketball tournament this past weekend.
The high school was a mass of students, parents, athletes and coaches as basketball team AND ski teams took over the school. As the sun shone strong outside and a crowd gathered for the Borough’s championship ski races, the gymnasium heated up with two and a half days of hoop action with 12 teams and a total 108 athletes taking part.
The Su Valley boys’ team took first place in the boys tournament with a 60 – 44 win over rival Nenana. The Fort Yukon Lady Eagles topped the Su Valley girls, 45-44 in a nail biting finish, to take top honors in the girls’ tournament.
Sierra Pederson, Bailey Stevenson, Sierra O’Connor and Kat Wollett of Su Valley were named to the Girls All-tournament team. Dylan Figley, Bill Kelly and Paxson Matthews were all named to the Boys’ All-Tournament team. Eleven athletes were chosen for each of those All Tournament teams.
Team sportsmanship award went to the champion Fort Yukon Lady Eagles and the boy’s team, Wings Christian Eagles.
Kandace Carroll of the Fort Yukon team was named the girls’ tournament MVP and Su Valley’s Bill Kelly was boy’s MVP.
Athletic director James Sickler was honored with an overall tournament MVP award for organizing the event.
It is still possible to listen to games in their entirety podcast by KTNA volunteer and now sports podcaster, Louden Wilson, on his new web site talkeetnafamous.com
