3A Boys Semifinal | Fruean Puts Barrow Back in the Title Game | March Madness Alaska 2026

Thursday, March 19, 2026 | UAA Alaska Airlines Center

Alex Fruean had been to this stage before. Thursday he made sure it ended differently.

Fruean dropped 37 points on two-time defending champion Nome-Beltz, carrying Barrow to a 63-50 semifinal win and back to the 3A Boys title game for the first time since 2018. He scored 11 of Barrow's first 14 points and had 21 by halftime. Every time Nome made a run, Fruean had an answer. Every time Barrow needed a bucket down the stretch, he delivered — 13 of their final 23 points in the fourth quarter. Nine field goals, four threes, 15-of-20 from the line.

Lennox Fruean did his part too. A wing three gave Barrow a 33-31 lead in the third quarter. A steal and layup pushed it to 38-34. When Barrow needed the door closed, Alex found Darren Salazar in the corner for a three with 54 seconds left to make it 56-48. That was the game.

Lane Schuerch kept Nome alive with 28 points and four threes. Cohen Booth chipped in 12 before fouling out. Nome was trying to reach the title game for a fifth straight year. Barrow had 37 reasons it wasn't happening.

Saturday is the 3A Boys championship. Barrow meets Mt. Edgecumbe — a program they beat 83-73 back in January on the road. Edgecumbe has won five straight and just knocked out Sitka in the Battle of the Bridge semifinal. Neutral floor. One game. Everything on the line.

Final: Barrow 63, Nome-Beltz 50 (3A Boys Semifinal)