Wrangell's Kyan Stead hoped for triple overtime in all-star game

Graduating senior Kyan Stead, who was selected by the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches for this year's all-star game in Anchorage, wished the game had lasted just a little longer.

Stead's team lost in double overtime in the April 12 contest, 84-82, in a high-scoring game that he described as fast-paced.

"I was hoping for a third overtime," he said.

Cordova's John Itliong sank the winning basket for the Gold team. Stead played on the Blue team in the Division 1A/2A all-star matchup of seniors from smaller schools.

"There were seconds left and he went up with a 3 and he made it," the Wrangell senior said.

It was "pretty weird" to play on the same team as students he had competed against during the regular season, Stead said. "I played against all of them in our division." A couple of Metlakatla players were on the Blue team, along with one from Kake.

The senior all-star games for all divisions of Alaska high school basketball were played on the same day, at Grace Christian School in Anchorage.

Stead was one of the Wrangell team's best shooters from three-point range this past season, including scoring seven three-pointers in the first half of a game against Metlakatla last December.

He hoped to make the all-star team, but knew the coaches had a lot of tough decisions. "I had a slight chance that I would make it," he said.

He admitted to being "a little nervous" about taking the court with high school stars from around the state. Although he didn't make the finals in a separate competition in the 3-point shot, and watched the clock run out on the double OT team loss, "I still had a great time."