Cordova’s own Isabelle Nothstine was named most valuable player at this year’s 43rd annual Tip-Off Tournament, held Jan. 16-18 at Cordova High School.
The Nome Nanook girls took first place in the tournament, with the Cordova girls right behind in second place. In addition, the Cordova boys won first place for sportsmanship in their division.
“I’m proud of the way they played,” said Cordova Wolverine coach Jake Borst said about his players.
The season itself was initially somewhat in jeopardy, with ferry service not an option because of needed work on the vessel. Alaska Airlines, however, came to the rescue with a donation so Cordova could help fly a team in.
“We did offer a one-time discount so students could travel to compete,” said Tim Thompson, external affairs manager at Alaska Airlines.
Details were unavailable, but several Cordova residents, speaking anonymously, said the discount offered teams from Akiachak and Redington high schools was extremely generous.
On Jan. 15, the Nome Nanook girls beat the Lady Wolverines 46-38, while Cordova boys narrowly stopped the Nanooks junior varsity squad, 41-40.
On Jan 16, the Nanook girls bested the Redington Huskies 59-20, while the Akiachak Wolf boys stopped Cordova’s Wolverines 64-40.
On the final day of the Tip-Off Tournament the Redington Husky girls slammed Akiachak Wolf girls 55-9, while Redington boys stopped their rivals from Akiachak, 60-41. Then the Nome Nanook girls bested Akiachak 70-24, and the Akiachak boys won their game with the Nanooks boys JV team, 47-42.
Later, the Lady Wolverines stopped Redington girls, 31-22, and Redington boys bested the Cordova Wolverines 62-20.
Borst said close to 200 people packed the Cordova High School gymnasium to watch the tournament. He noted players and chaperones also rented hotel rooms, ate out, and shopped at local groceries – contributing to the local economy.
The wonderful workers at the high school provided three meals a day for the visiting athletes, who slept in classrooms at the high school, said Seth Balint, activities director for Cordova High School.
Correction: This story was corrected on Jan. 27 to accurately reflect the final team standings.
