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Koenig, Kenworthy win shooting contest at all-star game

April 20th 3:24 pm | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

When it came to the 3-point shooting contest at the AABC All-Star Senior Showcase, Abbie Koenig of Point Hope was money.

The senior guard sank all 5 money balls en route to winning the girls title with a score of 18, three points better than the second-highest total. She beat out some of the best players in Alaska, most of them from larger schools in bigger cities.

Each player was given 5 racks with 5 balls. The first four were worth one point, the money ball two points.

"I was pretty calm," Koenig said. "I just kept telling myself that it was for fun."

Koenig said she makes 3-point shots all the time during practice.

But at the state tournament she managed to make only 1—of—6 attempts in three games.

At the senior showcase, she drained a 3-pointer and scored 7 points as her team won the second game.

"Everyone was cheering for everyone. It was all positive attitudes," Koenig said.

Kotzebue's Dessirea Kenworthy won the coed hot shot contest. Her teammate was Colter Lasher of Dimond in Anchorage.

Each team had one minute to score points using a 1-2-3 scale. They won with 27, beating three other teams in the finals.

The second annual AABC All-Star Senior Showcase featured a dunk contest for boys and a 3-point shooting contest for boys. There were also two all-star games, first in Soldotna and then in Anchorage.

Kenworthy didn't play the first night and then pumped in 7 points in the second game.

"I was nervous at first, but then I wasn't after I got on the court," the all-state guard said. "It was lots of fun. It was fun playing against all the all-stars."

Class 2A Player of the Year Brianna Kirk collected 12 points and a bunch of rebounds and assists to help her team win the first game.

"What stood out for me was playing with all very talented girls and we all got along and worked together," Kirk said.

She missed the second game because she was out of state on her senior trip.

"The all-star game was an awesome opportunity and I'm glad I got to be a part of it," Kirk said. "I really enjoyed playing against and with the state's best players."

Point Hope's Caroline Long also participated in the all-star game. She was a defensive spark plug, making 4 steals on each night.

"I already knew I could play defense. I know that's my strongest point because I really don't like to score," Long said.

She also shared the ball, dishing 4 assists each night.

"I feel I played better the second game," Long said. "It was fun. I met a lot of the girls and they are nice girls."

Reach Van Williams at sports@reportalaska.com.

 

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