3A Girls Championship | Barrow's Time | March Madness Alaska 2026

Saturday, March 21, 2026 | UAA Alaska Airlines Center

Barrow lost in the championship game in 2024. Lost again in 2025. This program has carried more than most over the past few years. Saturday, they carried it all the way.

The Lady Whalers beat Monroe Catholic 56-49 to win the 3A Girls state championship at March Madness Alaska 2026 — the program's sixth title overall and first since 2022.

This group has been through it. The loss of a coach who poured himself into many of these players since middle school — Derek Ahgeak, who led them to the 2022 title before his passing in September 2023. Ahgeak's passing wasn't just a loss for the program. In Utqiaġvik, where the Lady Whalers are a source of deep community pride, it was felt by everyone. Coach Nicole Smith has spent three years building on that foundation — and Saturday, this community watched their team bring a championship home.

Smith watched her team fall behind in the fourth quarter and answer. Monroe Catholic opened the final period on an 11-2 run to take a 47-44 lead. Barrow responded. Aiga Unutoa hit a three to tie it at 47. Kylen Burnell followed with another from the arc — her fifth three of the game — to put Barrow ahead 50-47 with 80 seconds left. Monroe couldn't answer. Ahmela McFadden, Unutoa, and Burnell converted free throws to close it out.

Burnell and Unutoa each finished with 16. For Unutoa, this one carried extra weight — her father, assistant coach Seko Unutoa, was on the bench beside her. Her cousins Zadah, Faagi, and Selagi were on the floor with her. A family moment inside a program moment inside something bigger than both.

Monroe Catholic reached their first title game in over two decades and made Barrow earn every point. Leila Church led the Rams with 15. Trinity Turiel added 14. They played with everything they had.

Barrow's sixth championship. This one meant everything.

Final: Barrow 56, Monroe Catholic 49 (3A Girls Championship)