Lady Wolves confident in return to basketball court

A new year, a new coach and new attitudes are propelling the high school girls' basketball team into the new season.

After just four games, last season was cut short due to COVID-19. But the players have shaken that off and are in the winning mindset.

"I think it's looking really good. I'm super excited to see what our team can do," said junior Kiara Harrison.

The team looks at last season as an opportunity to learn, practice and grow, which is already making a difference in this year's performance.

"Their attitudes and maturity, their personal skills, even their relationships with their teammates are better," said assistant coach Anna Allen. "Last year was a learning year for everybody. It was a huge growing opportunity. This year, they have our trust, we have their trust, and I think that changes the dynamic immensely."

Head coach Christina Good echoes Allen's sentiments, having only worked with the team for a short time. It's her first year coaching in Wrangell, having recently returned to town after being away for 25 years.

"After our first three days of practice, we're ready," Good said. "If there's going to be a year for a championship, this is going to have to be the year."

The connection between teammates is also crucial, Good said. Many of the players have known each other since kindergarten, and some are cousins, like Kayla and Kendra Meissner, Jamie Early and Allen. "We have a lot of cohesion on the team and the communication is there," Good said.

Those familial bonds can help form a tighter squad, but they can also create a different dynamic. Allen said she has a higher expectation for the girls to whom she's related.

"I know that can frustrate them, and it can frustrate me, but overall, I'm still very impressed with them and super thankful that I can even be in this role in their lives," she said.

The coaching staff is playing to the natural strengths of the team, putting them where they'll make the most impact. Good said the team is strong in post and guard positions and has one other natural gift.

"We have a lot of height," she said. "We've got Kiara Harrison. She's 6 feet, 1 inch. We don't have anybody under (5 foot, 5 inches)."

Allen said they would definitely take advantage of height, but the focus is on individual skill sets. "They could be a (5-foot, 5-inch) player and outjump anybody, and I'm going to put them closer to a post so they can get those rebounds," she said. "But the height is nice, that's for sure. It makes it a little easier."

Harrison takes advantage of her height where she can, but recognizes when it can be a hindrance.

"The fastest defender is the lowest defender," she said. "As long as you're working hard to get low and move your feet quickly, (height) is not a drawback, but sometimes it can pose a little bit of a challenge."

Even though they have plenty of strategy in place for offensive, defensive and out-of-bounds plays (inbounding the ball), Good said the girls' talents are going to be what helps them dominate on the hardwood.

Coaches and players alike are looking forward to all the matchups to come, but there are a couple of teams that come to mind when they talk about their main competition.

"The biggest competitors are Petersburg and Metlakatla," Allen said. "Mainly because Petersburg is our biggest rival, mainly because of the township rivalry. It's really easy to get into our heads that we have to perform and we have to beat them, and if we don't it's a big deal. A lot of Petersburg is a mental game."

Metlakatla comes to mind because, Allen said, they always have good players and are the hardest to beat.

The first game is on Jan. 15 in Wrangell against Haines. For now, Good will keep honing those skills she knows her team has.

"We're just trying to keep things very calm, very simple at practice," she said. "I really want these girls to be confident and work out their natural abilities. That's what we focus on when we're at practice."

This year's team:

Jamie Early (senior)

Kendra Meissner (senior)

Liana Carney (senior)

Kiara Harrison (junior)

Kayla Meissner (sophomore)

Aubrey Wynne (freshman)

Della Churchill (freshman)

Vanessa Johnson (freshman)

Addy Andrews (freshman)