P-burg girls on win streak at Wrangell homecoming

The girls basketball varsity and junior varsity teams came away with losses over the weekend, as Wrangell High School hosted division leader Petersburg for its homecoming celebrations.

Friday and Saturday's varsity games played out similarly in terms of points, with Petersburg picking up leads early on and building from there. Wrangell finished each evening with 32 points, to the visitors' 61 and 63 points on Friday and Saturday.

The team had some standout moments, with Helen Decker making three of four free throws Friday night, and Amy Jenson leading the team for points over the weekend with 24.

"They've had a lot of improvements for sure," team coach Edna Nore said. The girls will be playing at home the next two weekends, and Nore said the team will continue to change some things up in its playing.

Junior varsity played a closer game on Friday, trailing just behind Petersburg into the fourth quarter before bringing the final score up to 26-36.

"They played really tough," activities director Lisa Nikodym said. She found they were making more shots and getting better at collecting rebounds. "The JV girls did really good."

On Saturday Petersburg stepped up its game, pulling into a lead in the second quarter and starting the next half with 17 extra points. The JV Lady Vikings won the game 41 to 19.

"We've had a lot of competitive games," Nikodym said. "It was just back and forth, back and forth."

"Petersburg, of course, they're just a strong team overall,so our players have really stepped up to match them," she continued.

Overall, the homecoming weekend was a success. The stands were about evenly split between the red and blue-clad fans, and the games were well-attended.

"It's great for the kids, because it brings the crowds in and shows them school spirit is still alive," Nikodym said.

Referees and volunteers helped put on the weekend, running concessions, keeping time and minding the entrance. Restaurant owners also helped out by extending their hours over the weekend.

"The community always steps up for events like this," said Nikodym.