Lady Wolves change up defense in Metlakatla matches

Wrangell High School hosted Metlakatla High School for a quick basketball rematch. The Lady Wolves had played in Metlakatla on Jan. 16 and 17, with varsity and junior varsity each losing their two games to the hosts.

The Lady Wolves' varsity squad won Friday evening, beating the Miss Chiefs in overtime 38 to 35. Though kept close throughout the game, Metlakatla came back in the fourth quarter to tie it up at 30. In extra time, several shots and a pair of free-throws were enough to put Wrangell ahead in the stretch.

"They did a really good job," said Jack Carney, Wrangell Public Schools' activities director.

In the game, Amy Jensen led the team in points with 11 scored, followed by Darian Meissner with nine.

Metlakatla won Saturday's game in turn, maintaining a lead throughout and netting 51 to Wrangell's 34 points.

Wrangell's junior varsity squad lost both of its games over the weekend, 22 to 35 on Friday and 11 to 28 on Saturday. Alex Campbell led her team for points, with 12 scored over the weekend. Anna Allen made both of her two attempted free-throws Friday night, with the team overall making half of its 18 attempted throws.

Coach Edna Arabella-Nore explained her girls have been adjusting their defense, focusing on man-coverage rather than zone in an effort to keep the pressure on shooters from the outside.

"It's a young team," she said.

"They're working hard and learning a lot," added assistant coach Laurie Brown. The coaches felt the team had done well getting rebounds and had executed the man-defense well against Metlakatla's offense.

"That's been good practice for us," said Brown.

"I'm very happy with how they played," said Carney.

If the team continues working on its defense and shooting, Arabella-Nore said she felt it would be ready for regionals in March.

The Lady Wolves head to Petersburg this weekend for its homecoming games, then off to Craig on Feb. 6 and 7.