“It always feels good riding home on the ferry with the trophy, taking it to your community,” Kake’s Kip Howard said after winning the Masters Bracket title for his team Saturday at Juneau-Douglas High School.
Kake defeated Hoonah 70-64 Saturday afternoon for the Master’s title during the 70th annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. Both teams traded buckets nearly the entire game until Kake hit their free throws in the closing minute.
Howard, who led all scorers with 20 points, expressed pride in the level of play between both teams.
“Hoonah is like family any ways, so we tried to play respectful, we tried to play hard and sometimes you get that balance where there’s going to be a tough game in between,” Howard said.
Following Howard for Kake was Jay Peterson with 18 points. Peterson was named the Masters tournament MVP. He dedicated his individual accomplishment to his late father and Gold Medal Hall of Famer Ray Peterson Sr.
Behind Peterson in scoring was Lloyd Davis with 15 points. In a scary moment late in the game, Davis had to be carried off the court following a head injury. He was conscious and in stable condition while leaving the court.
Leading Hoonah in scoring was Tierney Bible Sr. with 16 points. Bible Sr. thought his team’s play in the paint could have been better.
“We didn’t hit the boards enough, but other than that I thought we played well,” he said. “We just lost the lead, you know, they just kept coming.”
Albert Hinchman scored 15 points while Kamal Lindoff added 11 points for Kake.
The all-tournament team for the Masters bracket consisted of Nick Davis and Kip Howard for Kake, Kamal Lindoff and Louie White for Hoonah and Dan Hotch for Klukwan. Ed Mercer was awarded the sportsmanship award.
Kake’s Rob Jackson rebounds against Huna’s Ed Mercer Jr., left, and Pete Schneeberger, right, during their 70th annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament championship game Saturday at Juneau-Douglas High School. Kake won 70-64.
