Aryanna Watson was named our Alaska Athlete of the Week after a turning in a sparkling performance in the Cook Inlet Conference basketball tournament that was capped off by a dramatic game-winning shot.
The Service freshman phenom, who has been touted all season as the next big thing in Anchorage girls basketball, ,connected on a 17-foot jumper with 1 second left to supply a 39-38 upset over top-seeded Dimond in the championship game of the Cook Inlet Conference Tournament Saturday night at West High School.
Watson finished with 16 points and scored all five points for her team in the fourth quarter, none bigger than the jump shot she rattled home to beat the buzzer and the Lynx.
The playmaking guard had a game-high 21 points the previous to lead the Cougars to a 56-37 semifinal win over Bartlett.
Also receiving votes:
- Shalane Frost – The Fairbanks endurance athlete took the overall victory at the Drift 100, accomplishing the rare feat of a skier also beating all bikers and runners at the winter ultra endurance event near Pinedale, Wyo.
Kendall Kramer – The Fairbanks native became a four-time NCAA All-American skier for UAF as with a 6th place finish in the 20-kilometer classic race at Steamboat, Colorado.
Nolan Walker/Drake Glover – The two forwards from Anchorage each delivered the first 30-goal seasons of their professional careers over the weekend. Walker, a second-year pro, now owns 30-30–60 scoring totals in 56 games. Glover, the former UAA skater owns 31-22–53 totals — all career highs — in 48 games.
Nick Walters – The Eagle River native coached the Anchorage Wolverines to a three-game weekend series sweep to run the North American Hockey League team’s winning streak to 11 games. The Wolverines, 33-13-4, also clinched the franchise’s second NAHL Robertson Cup playoff berth.
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.