Eighth graders excited for new challenges with Lady Wolves

Due to a shortage of players this season, the Lady Wolves received a waiver from the state school sports association and accepted two eighth graders into the team.

Adeline Andrews and Aubrey Wynne attend Stikine Middle School but will be playing with the high school basketball team. Both have past experience playing basketball, and joined the team for the challenges.

Andrews said she has played basketball for the middle school and with the Amateur Athletic Union for several years. Wynne has also played with the middle school and AAU for several years, she said, adding that she goes to the gym to play in the summers.

Both said joining the team is a good opportunity for them to play a sport they love - and at a higher level.

"I knew that the high school wouldn't have a team without a few of us," Andrews said. "So, I took the opportunity to do it."

Wynne agreed. "It was a good opportunity. ... They didn't have enough players, so it was kind of a win-win."

Playing at the high school level will be hard, Andrews said, but that is why she decided to give it a try. Playing against older and more experienced players will challenge her to improve, she said. After the first couple of practices with the Lady Wolves, she believes she is ready for their first games.

"They've had more practice and time to get skilled up, but it's a nice challenge for me to try to catch up with them early," Andrews said.

Wynne said it will be different, playing with and against high schoolers, but so far she likes the difference. The Lady Wolves are a young team this year, she said, and she enjoys being part of the team because the players take things seriously.

"I really like it, because it's way more serious and it's not so much just for fun," Andrews said.

The Lady Wolves will have their first games of the season Friday and Saturday, against Craig, with the girls playing the first game each day, followed by the boys team. Friday's games will start at 5 p.m. Saturday's games will begin at 9 a.m.

Only two household members per athlete will be allowed to attend the games in person, but the games will be streamed for everyone else to watch.