Tight games for Wolves season-opener split

With one win and one loss, both narrow, the Wrangell Wolves had a hard-fought opening to their high school basketball season. Wrangell High School hosted the Petersburg Vikings last weekend to start the season.

"They were definitely exciting for sure," Coach Cody Angerman said of the Friday and Saturday games.

The first game, Jan. 29, went to the Vikings. They took the lead early in the first quarter, sinking a three-pointer. However, the Wolves were not deterred. They took the lead briefly, but ended the quarter in a tie, 10-10.

Wrangell pulled ahead slightly in the second quarter, 17-16, widening it to 26-22 at the end of the third quarter. The score was tied 26-26 and then 28-28 in the fourth quarter, but Petersburg pulled ahead in the final seconds, winning 31-28.

The second game, Jan. 30, was just as hard-fought but a win for Wrangell. The opening quarter saw Wrangell score first, with the score tied 6-6 for most of the quarter. In the final minutes, the Wolves scored on a streak of baskets and took the lead 12-6.

The second quarter saw the Wolves and the Vikings both demonstrate a strong offensive game, tied 21-21. In the third quarter, Wrangell pulled ahead 35-32. The fourth quarter saw the Wolves and Vikings tied up once again for a while, but the Wolves managed to take a narrow lead and hold on to it, winning 48-43.

Angerman said he saw definite improvement in his team in the second game compared to the first. He spoke with Petersburg's coach, and said they agreed neither of their teams played up to par the first game. The early games of the season are a good time to find areas of improvement in the team, he said, and grow as the season goes on.

"There's still a lot to take away from it ... and hopefully keep getting better," Angerman said.

Trisa Rooney, high school activities director, said that another round of games is tentatively scheduled for this weekend, Feb. 5 and 6, for both the boys and girls teams. The home games against Craig are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. The Wrangell Lady Wolves, the girls team, will play first both nights.

Only two household members per athlete and necessary staff will be allowed to attend the games. "Please remember to mask up and wait to be screened at the door ... and please keep your mask on for the entire time you are in the building," the school district said.

In between the two games each day, spectators will need to leave the gym for about 20 minutes so that crews can sanitize it, the district said.

Rooney said that the games will be streamed for those who cannot attend in person.