Wrapping up a storm of nearly non-stop basketball, the Nikolaevsk Warriors played the Ninilchik Wolverines at the Warrior Dome on Jan. 28. The Nikolaevsk girls claimed a 55-17 win and the boys a 53-24 victory. 

The following day, Lumen Christi teams were guests of Nikolaevsk, with the Warriors claiming another double victory. The Warrior girls team won 60-14 and the boys team won 69-33.

On Jan. 30, the Nanwalek boys team traveled to Nikolaevsk, with Nikolaevsk scoring 70 and Nanwalek 44.

Bea Klaich, head coach for the Nikolaevsk girls team, said she is pleased with the progress her team has made throughout the season.

“They are playing well as a team and are having a lot of fun while they are at it,” said Klaich. “The girls work hard in practice which translates into playing well in games. Never satisfied with where we are at, we continue to try to get better with every practice and every game.”

This week the Warriors are taking a break from at-home games, but not from basketball. They played Wasilla Lake Christian at Wasilla Lake on Tuesday and participate in the Nenana Invitational Tournament beginning today and continuing through Saturday. Other participating teams include Cook Inlet Academy, Fort Yukon, Huslia, Nenana, Sand Point, Su-Valley and Tri-Valley. Nikolaevsk’s first games will be against Huslia.

“We are looking forward to participating in the ‘Little NIT,’ Nenana Invitational Tournament, where there are some tough games to look forward to,” said Klaich. “The NIT has eight boys and eight girls teams participating who are always competitive. The environment in the gym is always loud and fun. We won the tournament last year for the first time for the Nikolaevsk girls, and we would love to repeat that accomplishment again this year.”

On Feb. 12, action returns to the Warrior Dome, with Nikolaevsk playing the King Cove girls and boys teams.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.