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Nanooks net top seed in WC

March 1st 1:38 pm | Tommy Wells Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

The Nome-Beltz Nanooks officially put the target on their backs last week. The Nanooks claimed the top seed in the upcoming Western Conference tournament by grinding out a pair of tough road wins over the Barrow Whalers.

The wins, however, may have done more for Barrow than it did for Nome.

Whalers head coach Jeremy Arnhart said his team played well against Nome and will take that momentum into the upcoming regional tournament, which tips off on March 7 at Dimond High School in Anchorage.

"We hope to build on some quality moments we had in both games this weekend," said Arnhart. "We had several players step into roles because of injury, and they did a great job. We will now focus all of our efforts on the regional tournament."

Nome had to fight for both of its wins against Barrow, especially in the opening of the two-game series on Friday when they were forced to rally for a 57-49 victory.

The Whalers got off to a quick start against the Nanooks. Led by the shooting of Raqwaun Lisbourne, Barrow put the Nome-Beltz on its heels early by reeling off a 19-15 run in the first eight minutes of play.

Nome answered back in the second. The Nanooks outscored Barrow by a 19-3 clip in the frame and took a 34-22 cushion into the half.

Barrow managed to regain its composure in the third. The Whalers pushed in 13 points in the stanza and went into the fourth quarter trailing by 13, at 48-35.

The Whalers made a late run in the closing minutes. The team posted a 14-9 run in the fourth and pulled to within eight at the final buzzer

Lisbourne finished as Barrow's top scorer by pumping in 14 points.

Nome was led by 16 apiece from Dominique Hall and Tyler Eide.

The Nanooks, despite double-digit performances from Lawrence Kaleak, Joe Martelle and Makana Ahgeak, closed out the series on Saturday by grinding out a 63-48 decision.

Kaleak finished the contest as Barrow's top scorer with 15 points. Martelle and Ahgeak added 11.

Eide powered Nome's attack with 19.

 

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