Boys beat Metlakatla for fourth at State

Wrangell's High School boys basketball team members were welcomed as hometown heroes last Thursday, after taking fourth at the State Tournament in Anchorage last week for the 2A division. It was the team's first trip to State in more than a decade, and though it did not bring back a title Wrangell's players brought home several awards.

"I was really proud of the boys," said the Wolves' coach, Ray Stokes. "They all did great." The team won two of its three games, and beat region rival Metlakatla High School for fourth place.

"Most importantly, they won the highest GPA award amongst all the teams there," Stokes added. He pointed out the team won the Academic Award for its 3.61 grade point average, paying tribute to the term "student athlete."

Wrangell also received the tournament's Sportsmanship Award.

"They're some of the best kids off the court that I've coached," commented assistant coach Jason Clark.

"They really earned it," said school activities director Jack Carney. He noted players were composed and respectful, shaking hands and making a good impression.

Player Blake Stokes was also singled out for recognition, being picked for the All-Tournament Team. "Very few guys get that," Carney said. Stokes led the team for points per game, with a 13.7 average. He was also named player of the game during the match against Glenallen on March 15.

Wrangell's first game on Sunday was also its only loss of the tournament, playing against defending State champions Glenallen. The two played a tight game for the first half, but the Wolves fell behind in the second, losing by 14 points.

"They hung with them for a couple of periods," Carney said. However, he pointed out Glenallen is a difficult team to defend against, and the Wolves were hampered by fouls.

The Wolves won their second game March 17 against Chevak, setting themselves up for a rematch against Metlakatla on March 18.

"It was a good game," Carney said. The Wolves and Chiefs stayed neck and neck throughout the game. "They just kept progressing, progressing, progressing."

Then in the fourth quarter, Tyler Gillen scored three out of four free throws, setting up the team for a close two-point win.

"It shows just how well our team gelled," Clark said. He felt the team showed the most improvement this year with its communication and defense. "I think they improved dramatically. We did a lot of different things throughout the year."

"Beating them was especially satisfying," Stokes said of the final game. The two teams' sixth match of the season, Wrangell's win left them evenly split and finishing the season slightly ahead of the Region V champs. "That was fun for the kids."

Mason Dingwall was named player of the Metlakatla game. "I was really pleased with that," the coach commented.

Back at home, Carney said the whole school was watching the live stream of that final game, glued to their screens 'til the last. "We were proud of them," he said.

"We ended on a really good note," Clark commented. "I couldn't be more proud of the boys."

"It was great to finish on an upbeat note," Stokes agreed. The win will give his team something to work on for next year. Four of the Wolves' seniors will not rejoin the team; however, the coach remains positive about Wrangell's prospects next season.

"It's hard to replace seniors, but there's a good nucleus of younger players coming," he said. Stokes is also looking into having a team camp this summer.

"We'll see how that goes," he said.

Stokes was thankful to the people who met the team at the airport, including the school's band and the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department, which provided a truck to convey players around town in triumph.

Next season, Petersburg High School will be joining the 2A division, potentially changing the dynamic within Region V. Carney thought the competition would be a positive thing. "I'm just looking forward to the whole program being boosted," he said.

Overall 2014/15 was a good year for the high school's athletic program, with its wrestlers coming in seventh at state and the girls cross-country team getting a regional title. Adding to that the boys basketball honors, Carney felt it reflected well on Wrangell as a whole.

"Those are just team awards that really reflect well on the community," he said. "That's what we're going for, and I'm really proud of their achievements."