While Oscar nominations may abound on the silver screen, the Chugiak High boys varsity basketball team is in dire straits in hopes of surfacing a best supporting actor for the rest of their season.
The Mustangs do have a bona fide selection for best leading man in senior Chris Devine.
Devine didn't disappoint in Chugiak's Friday matinee showing with the visiting Crimson Bears of Juneau-Douglas. The southeast Alaska powerhouse had made a whirlwind tour of its Southcentral competition, with games against two Anchorage schools and Colony.
The 6-foot-7-inch Devine contributed 27 points, more than half his squad's tally in the 57-53 loss to the Bears.
The Mustangs appeared a step slower than Juneau from the outset as the Bears quickly moved out to a 24-16 first-quarter lead. While Chugiak held a height advantage inside, the Mustangs couldn't match Juneau-Douglas' foot speed, which contributed to many Mustang turnovers defensively and several open three-pointers offensively, including one at the buzzer to end the first quarter.
Trailing 41-30 at halftime, the Mustangs made a 13-3 run, their strongest of the contest, in the third quarter, coming within a point, 44-43.
Chugiak's efforts fell short, however, as Juneau outscored the 'Stangs 13-10 in the final period.
"We had a chance to win it but didn't do it" said Chugiak coach Kevin Fullmer.
Trailing by a bucket with 12 seconds remaining and the ball, Fullmer called for an out-of-bounds play that would yield two options: a corner jumper from Aaron Loges or a pass inside to Devine at the post block. Loges had a good look and took the long shot, only to just miss.
The Mustangs matched and even exceeded the Bears from field goal range, yet failed to force the issue inside and create opportunities from the free throw line. The Bears were first to get into the bonus and double bonus situations in the second half.
Chugiak shot 11 of 16 from the charity strip, with a 7-of-9 showing by Devine, while Juneau-Douglas went to the line 26 times, making 19 shots.
The game revealed a lingering malady for the Mustangs: the lack of a supporting cast for Devine. Following the Division I recruit's game-high 27 points, Chugiak could muster only six points from Michael John, and five each from Malcolm Stallworth and Tre Mickens.
"I need three or four guys in double figures," Fullmer said.
"We're growing and progressing every game. We're getting better - just without the 'W'," he added.
'Stangs rebound at Service
The Mustang boys played tough down the stretch Tuesday to beat host Service 52-47.
The win improves Chugiak's league record to 3-3 (7-8 overall).
Mustang Chris Devine led all scorers with 17. The big man had some help from Michael John (12 points) and six fourth-quarter points by David Carter.
The Mustangs will host Palmer Friday, Dimond Saturday and Service Tuesday.
Chugiak 52, Service 47
Chugiak (52) - Devine 5 7-14 17, Burchell 0 0-0 0, John 4 2-2 12, Mickens 2 1-2 6, Carter 2 1-3 6, Dickey 0 0-0 0, Stallworth 2 0-0 4, Loges 1 2-2 5, Kissee 1 0-0 2, Lee 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 13-23 52.
Service (47) - Cristal 0 0-0 0, O'Reilly 4 4-4 13, Cellos 1 1-1 3, Haysmer 0 0-0 0, Boardman 0 1-2 1, Hardy 3 2-4 10, Hibbert 2 0-0 6, Hackley 0 0-0 0, Dunn 2 3-4 7, Staser 0 0-0 0, Jones 2 3-4 7. Totals 14 14-19 47.
Totals 18 8 13 13 -- 52
Service 8 15 10 14 -- 47
Friday, Feb. 14
Juneau 57, Chugiak 53
Juneau (57) - Ayers 0 2-3 2, Henderson 2 0-1 5, Heumann 5 4-7 18, Hura 2 2-3 6, Hamey 3 3-3 10, Jones 0 0-0 0, Wild 3 4-6 10, Garvey 0 0-0 0, Monagle 1 4-4 6, Nelson 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 19-26 57.
Chugiak (53) - Devine 10 7-9 27, Michael 2 0-0 6, Micken 2 0-0 5, Carter 1 0-0 3, Dickey 0 2-2 2, Stallworth 2 1-1 5, Loges 0 1-2 1, Kissee 2 0-2 4. Totals 19 11-16 53.
Juneau-Douglas 24 17 3 13 - 57
Chugiak 16 14 13 10 - 53
