Feb. 5, 2007
FAIRBANKS, AK - After leading the Nanooks to two wins including hitting a game-winning shot against Western Oregon, Alaska juniorKenny Barker (San Diego, CA) was named the Great Northwest AthleticConference Co-Player of the Week for men's basketball for the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4, the conference announced today from Seattle. It is the first such award for Barker, the Nanook's second-leading scorer and rebounder, this season.
"You always want to see guys that work exceptionally hard have success. I'm glad to see the league recognize him for what he's done for us," head coach Frank Ostanik said. "He's a leader in the weight room and plays hard every night."
In two victories, Barker compiled 46 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, one block and played 79 of possible 80 minutes. Playing with a short bench due to an injury against Saint Martin's, the Nanooks got needed production from Barker to help pick up the pace for leading scorer Jushay Rockett, who was plagued by foul trouble. When the Nanook offense seemed to run out of gas, Barker, who played every minute, took over and scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.
"We don't have a gunfighter or great depth," Ostanik said. "There are a lot of things we don't have. But we do have Kenny Barker."
With Alaska down six at the half against Western Oregon, Barker was again at his best in the second half when the Nanooks needed him most. He scored 15 of his 22 points after intermission including a thrilling, game-winning three-pointer with just four seconds left. Playing against a frontline of players four to six inches taller, the 6-3 guard grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Barker had nearly as many offensive rebounds (5) as the Wolves had as a team (7).
"We told him a week ago that he needed to be a factor on the glass," Ostanik said. "He's responded. He had 12 against a big team and we needed every one of them. His ability to score and rebound at that position are remarkable. I don't think there is anybody in the league his size that can do that."
Sophomore guard Cristina Bruketta (Ellensburg, WA) picked up honorable mention honors on the women's side. In two Nanook wins, she racked up 36 points on 9-of-17 shooting including eight three-pointers with 10 rebounds, two steals and only two turnovers. She had the best game of her young career against Western Oregon when she scored a career-high 25 points on a career-best 6-of-10 effort from behind the arc, while also grabbing seven boards in just 26 minutes. Her previous career-high of 20 points came against the University of California-San Diego in Nov. 2005. The sharp-shooting 5-8 guard is now 12-of-23 from downtown over the previous three games.
Both Nanook teams, on four-game winning streaks, will be on the road this week. The men play a pivotal contest against archrival the University of Alaska Anchorage Feb. 7. The women play at Seattle and Western Washington Feb. 8 and 10.
