The Soldotna boys basketball team opened up play at the Clark Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan on Tuesday with a 60-39 victory over North Surrey, British Columbia.

The Spartans had a tough time getting to Ketchikan, and once North Surrey got there Soldotna made things no easier.

North Surrey was warned its Monday flight from Seattle might not make it to Ketchikan, but the Spartans took the chance. They ended up spending the night in Sitka, then arrived at the gym in Ketchikan as Soldotna was already warming up for the 2:15 p.m. contest.

The host Nikolaevsk boys picked up a 64-35 Peninsula Conference victory over Nanwalek on Friday.

The Warriors led 15-4 after one quarter and 29-12 at halftime.

Andre Tipikin had 27 points to lead Nikolaevsk, while Eric Mametieff added 14.

For Nanwalek, Antone Ukatish had nine points.

Friday boys

Warriors 64, Eagles 35

Nanwalek481013—35

Nikolaevsk15142114—64

NANWALEK (35) — N. Ukatish 3 1-2 7, X. Romanoff 2 0-0 4, Evans 2 3-7 7, A. Ukatish 3 2-6 9, J. Romanoff 3 2-4 8. Totals — 13 8-19 35.

The Soldotna High School alumni will look to snap a four-game losing streak in the 16th annual Kenai Central High School - Soldotna High School Hockey Alumni Game on Friday at the Soldotna Sports Center at 7 p.m.

The Stars, who fell behind by a big deficit last year before mounting a comeback that came up short, are loaded with talent to try and stop Kenai’s streak.

The team will be led by Lee Green and Anthony Zurfluh. Green skated for the University of Alaska Anchorage and four ECHL teams, including the Alaska Aces. Zurfluh also played for the Aces.

The visiting Homer hockey team lost to Juneau 4-3 on Friday before claiming a 3-1 victory on Saturday. Both were nonconference affairs.
On Friday, Homer received goals from Tommy Bowe, Mark Reutov and Kai Simmons.
On Saturday, Bowe scored twice and Nikit Matveev scored once for the Mariners.