Wolves win two over the weekend on home court

After losing two games on home court last week to Sitka High School, the Wrangell boys varsity basketball team won two games over the weekend to Juneau.

Friday night, the Wolves scored 67 points to the Crimson Bears’ 41. The following night, Wrangell scored 70 points while Juneau scored 37.

Wrangell coach Ray Stokes said he thought his team played well both nights against Juneau and added it was a good weekend for the players to prepare for next week’s regional tournament in Ketchikan.

Stokes noted senior Clayton Rhodes’ performance over the weekend, as well as those by seniors Clayton Stokes and Mike Simpson and sophomore Jake Murphy.

“[Murphy] had some really good minutes over the weekend, he is showing some promise,” Stokes said.

The team’s six seniors were honored Saturday at Senior Night, including Rhodes, Simpson and Stokes as well as David Allen, Nathan Ashton and Travis Bangs.

Bangs led his team in scoring Friday night, adding 15 points to the scoreboard. Stokes scored 13 points for the Wolves, and junior Ryan Reeves scored 12.

Saturday night, Stokes led his team in points, scoring 23. Simpson scored 12 and both Rhodes and Bangs scored 10.

The Wolves also played two home games last week against Sitka. Wrangell was defeated 47-71 and 56-62, but Stokes said he thought his team played better than what the scores reflect.

“I was really proud of the boys, they gave everything they had,” he said.

Silva said it seemed Wrangell had a chance to win the second game against Sitka on Feb. 16, but missed baskets and a high number of turnovers contributed to the Wolves’ loss.

Silva also said he thinks Bangs played the best game of his basketball career Feb. 16.

The Wolves head to Ketchikan Monday for the regional tournament March 1-4. Stokes said the tournament will be an interesting one, because every team in the conference seems to have beaten each other. Sitka, though, will definitely be the tough team to beat, he said.