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Noorvik, Noatak boys split series

January 13th 1:43 am | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

With each side missing key players, the Noorvik and Noatak boys basketball teams came into last weekend's series a little shorthanded.

Yet they still came up big with back-to-back thrillers.

"Both games went down to the wire," Noorvik coach Darren Zibell said.

In the first game, Noorvik pulled out a 57-56 road win behind Elmer Armstrong III's career-high 25 points. Teammate Walter Tebbits added 15 points.

The Bears built a 15-point lead in the third quarter behind strong shooting from the 3-point line to the free-throw line. Armstrong sank 6 of his team's first 9 foul shots, a product of his ability and aggression.

It looked like a blowout, but Noatak wasn't having it. Led by their 1-2 punch of Anthony Ashby [25 points] and Ezra Arey [16], the Lynx clawed back to take a 4-point lead into the fourth quarter.

With 30 seconds left, Noatak clung to a 1-point lead. But Noorvik had the ball, and the Bears called on Armstrong.

"My boys brought the ball up the court, made a few passes and found Elmer in the corner. He drove baseline and was fouled," Zibell said.

Armstrong sank both free throws, putting Noorvik ahead with just 13 seconds to go. Noatak had one last chance, "but with solid defense we came away with the W," Zibell said proudly.

In the second game, Ashby gave the Noatak fans something to cheer about with a clutch jumper at the buzzer to provide a 53-51 win.

For much of the game the rematch was like a prize fight, with both sides exchanging shots but neither taking control.

With 9 seconds left, Noatak capitalized at the free-throw line to tie the game at 51-51. Noorvik then turned the ball over, giving the ball back to Noatak.

Uh oh.

Ashby, an all-star player, made them pay.

He took the inbounds pass, made a nice move and drilled a 12-footer at the buzzer.

"Noatak has a very young team but [coach] Stan Van Amberg is doing a good job," Zibell said. "Anthony Ashby is definitely one of the top players in our region. He is a nifty ballhandler with a quick first step, and he finishes well around the basket."

The last-second shot overshadowed the play of Tebbits, who pumped in a career-high 25 points for Noorvik.

 

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