Anchorage basketball player Alissa Pili enjoyed the ultimate homecoming this weekend as she earned a Great Alaska Shootout title and Most Outstanding Player award.
She also earned our Alaska Athlete of the Week honors.
Pili powered the fourth-ranked Utah Utes to a 117-72 rout of previously unbeaten Eastern Kentucky in the Shootout title game before a crowd of 2,329 at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The 6-foot-2 All-American delivered an epic effort with 28 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots.
The Dimond High graduate shot 11-of-18 from the field, with all 11 field goals coming inside the paint. She also made all six free throw attempts.
Pili became just the second Alaskan in the tournament’s 40-year history to be selected Most Outstanding Player.
Also receiving votes:
- Aaron Concepcion – The South High wrestler was selected the Most Outstanding wrestler at the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament. He won all five matches by pin.
- Santiago Gomez-Prosser – The Anchorage earned All-American honors, finishing 21st at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, helping NAU to a runner-up finish.
- Jeremy Swayman – Boston Bruins goaltender of Anchorage continued his scorching start to the NHL season – 7-0-1 after 20 saves Saturday in a 5-2 win over Montreal.
The Alaska Athlete of the Week is selected by a panel each Monday.
Have a candidate in mind? Email us your nomination: info@alaskasportshall.org.