After a tough series and two losses against Cordova, the Homer boys basketball team looks to take on the best of seasons' past at home in the annual alumni game Dec. 26 in the high school gym.

Mariner Coach Mark Casseri was impressed with the strength of Cordova, in terms of talent and overall team play.

"They played really well, they moved the ball and shot extremely well, they were extremely fast and had a swarming defense and they shot really well," said Casseri.

Cordova was 87 percent from the free-throw line in action Friday, and 72 percent on Saturday.

"On Friday we tried to run with them and couldn't adjust and played right into their hands. Saturday we tried to slow the game down and we were with them for most of the game, but they were just able to make shots and we weren't," said Casseri.

Cordova ruled the Ms on both nights, winning 72-34 on Friday and 73-25 on Saturday.

According to Alaska State Athletics Association rules, if there is a difference of 40 or more points in the fourth period the clock will continue to run without interruption through the end of the game.

Casseri said he was pleased with the performance of his team but that it was a learning experience for the boys who, despite the on-court difficulty, have continued to keep their heads up and have worked to come together as a team.

The Ms have another challenge on Dec. 26, from former teammates at the annual alumni game which starts at 6:45 p.m. Spectators are asked to donate for admission, and usually donations are about $5.

While the game might not go toward official standings, the competition should still be fierce, with some of the top players from the last three years dusting off their court-shoes.

"We're just going to go through our basic fundamentals. It's probably going to be a lot of guys two or three years out of school. They're the ones we'll probably see at the alumni game," said Casseri.

In league play, the Ms will take on Skyview in an away game Jan 5.

Skyview has lost to Nikiski this year, and if the show the Ms put on compares, then the game should prove to be a stiff challenge between two evenly matched teams.

STATS

Dec. 18

Homer (34)

Watrey - 0 0-0 0, Walsworth - 0 0-1 1, Shealy - 0 0-0 0, Jimenez - 0 0-0 0, Garvey - 3 2-2 8, Cotney - 0 3-4 3, Jester - 1 1-4 3, Anderson - 2 0-1 4, Day - 1 3-4 5, Glosser - 1 1-3 2, Kennelty - 3 2-5 8, Woods - 0 0-0 0