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King Cove boys sweep Sand Point

February 23rd 12:26 pm | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

It was like Cody Mack was born for Senior Night.

Playing on his 18th birthday, the senior shined in his final night game at home to lead the King Cove boys basketball team to a 92-73 victory over Sand Point in Class 1A action along the Aleutian Chain.

Mack, the lone senior, delivered 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.

But he wasn't the player of the game.

That distinction went to teammate Josiah Mack, who had a monster double-double with 26 points and 24 rebounds.

The other twin tower, PJ Hamilton, collected 25 points and eight rebounds.

"The big men ruled the night for King Cove," said coach Dan Sebastian.

Darrell Gundersen, the shortest player for the T-Jacks, came up big with 16 points, six steals and three assists.

Sand Point played without a standout starter, an absence that left the Eagles shorthanded and outmatched.

"They played hard but were unable to adjust very well to losing a key player from their lineup," Sand Point coach David Mitchell said of his players. "However, with all that being said they never gave up and played hard throughout the weekend."

Sand Point was led by its 1-2 punch of seniors Timmy Lundgren (23) and CJ Roby (22). Matthew Bravo added nine, Troy Boulsey seven and KJ Wilson six.

"The Eagles always plays us very tough and it is a shame that they arrived without one major contributor," Sebastian said. "If both teams are at full strength, this is a great series."

King Cove now leads the season series 4-1 with three games remaining in Sand Point.

"We have a couple days to adjust," Mitchell said. "This has been such a wonderful season. They have worked hard both in the class and on the court. They had many challenges to just keep the season and team together with only eight players this year.

"There is much to be proud of. I have been impressed how the team and kids have been able to keep coming back and overcoming the difficulties of the year. These kids should hold their head high."

King Cove won the other two games in the series.

The T-Jacks won the first night 86-49 behind the dynamic duo of Josiah Mack (33) and Darrell Gundersen (22).

Mark Newton had 10 assists and Christian Christiansen grabbed 10 rebounds.

King Cove shot a torrid 53 percent from the floor.

"We ran the floor very well and handled the Eagles press very well," Sebastian said.

In the series finale, King Cove scored a season-high 93 points and was led by the hard-to-guard Mark Newton, who dropped in 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting.

Hamilton had 20 points, sinking 8 of 10 free throws, while Avery Samuelson (15), Devan Mack (11) and Christiansen (11) also reached double figures.

The T-Jacks were missing a handful of players due to sickness or suspension.

"I was very proud of the way the team stepped up while being forced to play shorthanded," Sebastian said. We do have some defensive concerns, but we continue to improve."

Sand Point's CJ Roby and Matthew Bravo combined for 32 of the team's 49 points.

Top-ranked Rookies 16-0

There was no stopping the King Cove girls basketball team last week.

The Rookies stretched their unbeaten streak to 16 games after sweeping visiting Sand Point in a three-game series.

King Cove opened with a 65-27 victory after outscoring the Lady Eagles 48-15 during the second and third quarters combined.

Raylene Kochuten led all scorers with 19 points. Shauna Jo Calver added 13 points and Dannielle Carlson chipped in 10.

For Sand Point, April Wilson pumped in 17 points.

In the second game, King Cove prevailed 54-13 behind Calver's career-high 21 points.

Alaina Kuchuten was high scorer for the Eagles with seven points.

The Rookies won the third game 64-30.

 

Van Williams can be reached at vwilliams@alaskanewspapers.com

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