Basketball bouncing into action for new season

After volleyball's silver-place showing at State last month and as the wrestling team wraps its own season, Wrangell High School's basketball program is already practicing for its new year.

After bidding goodbye this spring to its coach of 30 years, the boys team will be headed up by a new coaching staff this season. Cody Angerman will be replacing retiring Ray Stokes as head coach, and Graham Gablehouse has been hired as assistant coach. Both men grew up in Wrangell, and are familiar faces on its basketball courts.

"Graham and I, we grew up together in the same grade. Played basketball all our lives together, which sort of helps with that rapport," said Angerman.

Gablehouse explained they had played throughout school, and the two have since participated on Wrangell's Gold Medal team when it plays in Juneau.

"We've played different positions and I think that's going to help our look, just seeing different views of it and helping each other's coaching style," he said.

"As far as this goes, I think we're going to have a good connection, make some good things happen," Angerman added.

As players the two have a lifetime's experience, but coaching will be a relatively new ballgame. Angerman said he has a little experience coaching little league baseball and has assisted with the basketball team. "But nothing to this level, so it's definitely taking on a challenge here. Filling some big shoes, too."

Both coaches played under Stokes during their time in high school. Since his start at Wrangell in 1987, Stokes' teams had brought back a number of regional titles, and one state victory during the 1994-95 season.

"He's obviously an icon. Everybody knows how legendary he is around here," said Angerman. "Everyone knows how good of a coach he is, and even more, how good of a guy he is. So to step in here and try to do what he did, I mean, we've relayed to the kids plenty of times we're not Coach Stokes."

"Definitely an irreplaceable coach there," Gablehouse commented. "We've already told the kids this is going to be a learning experience for us, too."

Returning as head coach of the girls' team, Laurie Brown is also looking forward to a new season. Along with assistant coach Katelyn Reeves, a number of players will be reprising their roles from last season.

"We have quite a few returning students," said Brown. Of the roster's two seniors this year, one – Krissy Lockabey – will be a new addition to the team. Filled in with several freshmen, Brown said the team should be ready for the regular season to begin after New Years'.

"It's looking to be a good season," she said.

The girls have already been practicing since November 29, but will be getting some competitive play in before its first away game in Petersburg on January 5. "Our first games will actually be in Ketchikan, the Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic," said Brown.

From December 28 to 30 teams both from around the region and outside the state will take part in the tournament.

"What's nice about that is it's all 3A and 4A teams, so it's all really good competition," said Brown.

The boys team will also be headed to Ketchikan for the tournament, which precedes their regular season.

"It's going to be a real eye-opener for us," said Angerman. "We're going to cram as much as we can within these next few weeks to get ready before then."

"It'll be good to get the kids playing time before our season starts," Gablehouse added.

The teams' first home games are scheduled for the weekend of January 19, hosting Haines.