By Van Williams
Classic Media Director
The South Wolverines used an 11-0 run to open the fourth quarter and then got huge back-to-back buckets by Belen Marchant inside the final two minutes to win a 49-44 nail-bitter over Point Hope on Day 1 of the Alaska Airlines Classic at West High.
Olivia Heartwell and Isabela Costa da Silva also made big plays down the stretch as the Wolverines rallied from a 10-point deficit entering the final frame.
South’s comeback spoiled a prime performance by an upset-minded Point Hope squad that was powered by its 1-2 punch of Jadyn Lane (17 points) and Jennifer Nash (15 points).
Marchant led South with 10 points, while Costa da Silva had 9, Heartwell 8 and Amelia Nowak 8.
Heartwell came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring or assisting on eight points during an 8-2 run that helped South take a 43-42 lead. She also had two steals and three rebounds in the final four minutes.
Costa da Silva’s steal and layup with 12 seconds left pushed South’s lead to 47-44. Then she iced the game with a pair of free throws.
Point Hope showed up ready to perform on the big stage. The Harpoonerettes led 7-2 early before stretching it out to 25-17, thanks in large part to Lane, who scored 11 of her team’s 23 points in the second quarter.
Tatyana Nashookpuk and Nash each buried 3-pointers at the end of the half to help Point Hope take a 31-21 lead into halftime.
Nash is a delightful ballhander who showcased crafty and creative moves, unleashing beautiful handles and hesitation moves off the dribble that made her hard to guard.
Both teams are in action Wednesday, with Grace Christian taking on Point Hope at 6 p.m. and South Anchorage taking on West Anchorage at 7:30 p.m.
South Anchorage Wolverines 8 13 9 19 – 49
Point Hope Harpoonerettes 8 23 9 4 – 44
South – Nowak 8, Nevzoroff 0, McDonald 4, O.Heartwell 8, Merchant 10, Gebauer 6, Avalos 3, King 4, Costa da Silva 9, N.Heartwell 0, Brandt 0.
Point Hope – Ky.Oviok 0, Berger 8, Nash 15, Ka.Oviok 5, Nashookpuk 3, Lane 17, Teayoumeak 2, Melik 2.
Alaska Airlines Classic 