The region’s biggest event in high school basketball returns this weekend after a year break. The school district cancelled the basketball season last year to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Now, the Lower Kuskokwim School District’s basketball tournament is back and will determine which teams will travel to Anchorage for the state tournament.
Teams from 11 villages will compete for their chance to become the Lower Kuskokwim regional champion. Chefornak, Kwethluk, Toksook Bay, Quinhagak, and Tuntutuliak are sending both boys and girls teams. They’ll be joined by boys teams from Kipnuk, Nunapitchuk, and Quinhagak. Also competing are girls teams from Napaskiak, Kongiganak, and Kasigluk.
This year’s tournament will look a little different from previous years. Spectators are only permitted are to attend the games they’ve been invited to. Only four spectators are allowed for each player, coach, and assistant coach. Spectators must be vaccinated and masked. Temperature checks will be held at the door.
The games begin Thursday, March 3 at 8:45 a.m. with the Kipnuk Falcons challenging the Mekoryuk Herders. For Merkoryuk, this will be their first district tournament in about 20 years.
Games will run back to back through Saturday, March 5. The girls' championship game will be March 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m. It will be followed by the boys' championship game at 8 p.m.
Games will be broadcast on KYUK 640 AM. LKSD will also be streaming the games live on their Facebook page.
