The Metlakatla High School boys basketball team opened a 22-4 halftime advantage over Haines and was never threatened in the second half as the Chiefs won their opening Region V tournament game 49-32 at Juneau-Douglas High School on Wednesday. Haines had no answer for the speedy backcourt led by Chiefs seniors Tristan Winter and Drew Yliniemi. Winter scored 16 of his game-high 19 points in the first half, and Yliniemi scored all 12 of his points in the second half. “I am just trying to stay calm and relaxed so I don’t make mistakes,” Yliniemi said. “I try to keep the tempo nice and paced. Our floor leader is Tristan (Winter) and we feed off of him.” There was no shortage of food for Metlakatla as they gobbled Haines turnovers and missed shots to push out to a 39-19 lead after three quarters of play. Winter, Yliniemi, Michael Maki, and Tristan Alexander scored the first baskets of the second half for the Chiefs. Haines countered with buckets by Isaac Wing, Keanu Lynch and five points from Justin Swinton but Metlakatla’s Zavier Ghomely ended the run with two free throws and a basket inside to keep the Chiefs out front with eight minutes to play. Haines’ Devin Light made a late run with a deep three and a fast break but Yliniemi answered with the same. Winter led the Chiefs with 19 points, Yliniemi 12, Ghormley 8, Alexander 5, Ryan Hudson 3, Chris Marsden, and Macki 1 each. Metlakatla went 15-28 at the charity stripe; Haines 12-18. Light led the Glacier Bears with 11 points, Swinton added 9, Isaac Wing and Kai-Sato Franks 5 each, and Keanu Lynch 2. Metlakatla advances to play Craig at 8:30 p.m. tonight for the 2A boys championship and a top Southeast seed at the state tournament in two weeks. Haines plays an elimination game at 9:45 a.m. today against Wrangell. MHS 49 - 32 HHS MHS- Tristan Winter- 19 PTS, 7 RB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 6-9 FG, 5-12 FT, 1-1 3-PT; Drew Yliniemi- 12 PTS, 2 RB, 1 AST, 4-10 FG, 3-4 FT, 1-3 3-PT; Zavier Ghormley- 8 PTS, 2 Rb, 4-7 FG, 2-2 FT, 0-1 3-PT; Tristan Alexander- 5 PTS, 10 RB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2-6 FG, 1-3 FT; Ryan Hudson- 3 PTS, 3 RB, 1 AST, 1-6 FG, 1-3 FT; Michael Maki- 1 PT, 2 RB, 1-2 FT, Chris Mardsen- 1 PT, 1-2 FT
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 17:41:34 +0000