Senior night for the Nome-Beltz boys’ basketball team, the Lady Nanook cheerleaders and the pep band was on Friday, Mar. 3.
The Unalakleet Wolfpack was in town to take on the Nanooks on March 3 and 4.
The three seniors on the basketball team — Jade Greene, Kelvin Lewis and Ethan Hannon — were honored by their families and head coach Patrick Callahan before Friday’s game.
The evening was emotional for everyone, according to Callahan.
“You know, there’s always a lot of emotions involved, and it’s neat to see the families come out, and the kids, and you change your rotation,” Callahan said. “There’s just a lot of emotions to deal with. So, there’s not nearly as much Xs and Os. It’s just dealing with the whole the senior night; people are crying, there’s flowers out, an extended pregame. There’s just a lot there.”
Callahan added that senior night is less about the game and strategy and more about a long-term commitment from the players and their families.
“It’s more about the family’s commitment, and the kids’ commitment to seeing through four years of high school basketball, probably a lot of junior high basketball and elementary. (It’s about) staying out of trouble and staying in school. That that’s what I think we’re here to recognize,” Callahan said.
Coach Callahan could always be counted on for good game and life advice during his time in Nanook blue and white, Greene said.
“He’s been coaching for I don’t even know how long, so he knows what he’s doing, and he believes in us, and he knows how to teach us; he knows what to do in moments where we need a coach,” Greene said.
The six cheer team seniors — Addison Knudsen, Brenna Scholten, Victoria Gray, Cirsten Thrun, Chelsi Koutchak and Cameron Minix — were also honored.
After the game, Minix explained that the team had high spirits all season long.
“The season has been amazing,” Minix said. “We have a lot of new people, which I think is an advantage, and I loved this season because a lot of the girls showed very hard work and I’m so proud of them.”
There were three senior members of the pep band honored — saxophonists Ryan Outwater and Lucas Marvin and guitarist Andrew Peterson IV.
The crowds are always a big part of the Nanook basketball experience at home, Peterson said.
“It’s been an amazing experience, you know, having a wicked crowd like this here at Nome-Beltz, and having an amazing pep band right by my side,” Anderson said. “It’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve had in high school.”
The Nanooks were victorious both days against Unalakleet, winning 70-64 on Friday night and 90-62 on Saturday afternoon.
The NBHS boys end the season with a 20-2 record overall. They are 7-0 in conference and are destined for the playoffs, where they will get a chance to defend their 3A state championship title.
The Lady Nanooks fell to Unalakleet on the road on Friday in a heartbreaker, 43-42, but rebounded with a 42-40 win on Saturday. They end the season at 12-10 overall, and in second place in their conference at 4-2.
*CORRECTION: Originally KNOM reported the Lady Nanooks lost to Unalakleet on Friday 43 to 32, which was incorrect. This story has been updated to reflect the correct score.
Image at top: Nanook head coach Patrick Callahan and seniors Ethan Hannon (14), Kelvin Lewis (10) and Jade Greene (13). Photo by Greg Knight, KNOM (2023).
Images above: Nome-Beltz celebrates senior night. Photos by Greg Knight.
