Ian Jenson goes for a two-pointer over Cade Clay's outstretched hands during the fourth quarter, in Wrangell's midday game versus Haines on January 12.
Surrounded by Glacier Bears, Tyman Teat drops one for two during the second quarter of last week's midday win over Haines.
Wrangell High School's boys basketball team chalked up a pair of wins over Haines last week.
"We saw some definite good things," said Wolves coach Ray Stokes.
In Wednesday night's game, they took an early lead on the visiting Glacier Bears, with Riley Blatchley's four two-pointers helping build an 18-10 lead during the first quarter. Wrangell continued to build on that lead the rest of the game, finishing with a score of 60-40. Haines was given plenty of opportunities to keep up, with the team given a total of 26 free throws due to fouls.
The next game was played at midday, due to the visitors' travel arrangements. Stokes explained the traditional Friday-Saturday game schedule will become less common as schools adjust to a combination of budget cuts and slimmer ferry scheduling.
"I think you're going to see more of odd schedules as the money crunch hits," he said. "The way travel's getting anymore, it seems people are trying to leave it to the traveling team."
As a result of the team's flight schedule, Haines was unable to field a junior varsity squad for last week's tournament, so only varsity-level games were played.
Thursday's game was another win for Wrangell, bringing its division record to 3-3-0 for the ongoing season. The team finished the half with a 42-16 lead, with its offense racking up 24 points to Haines' six during the second quarter. Trevor Miller shot four for four on free throws through the game, and led the Wolves for points with a total of 16. The team continued its lead and finished with a 68-29 win.
"Both games I thought we did some good things, and we certainly found some things we need to work on," said Stokes. Players were making the most of their positions, and were moving the ball better. "Defensively we need to improve though."
Wrangell next hosts Craig this weekend, with games scheduled Friday and Saturday for both the boys and girls teams.
"They ought to be some good games," Stokes said.
His boys and Craig's each have a win between themselves this season, with the Panthers winning theirs in the closing seconds.
Stokes felt if his players continued to improve their defensive game and pacing they should be able to keep ahead of Craig's offense.
"They're very, very fast, and they shoot the ball very well from the corners," he noted. "This weekend ought to be entertaining."
The next week, Wrangell will be hosting Petersburg for its homecoming weekend, another set of games Stokes looks forward to. Petersburg is currently the state's division leader, so the match up will not be an easy one. After a bye-week, Wrangell will next host another tough competitor, Metlakatla.
Reader Comments(0)