Trevyn Gillen, No. 12, is flanked by two members of the Sitka High School boys basketball team. Gillen and his teammates played against the varsity squad of the 3A school twice over the weekend, once against its junior varsity team and once against Nikiski.
The Wrangell Wolves had a preview of what's to come in this season's basketball tournaments, and the team has its work cut out for them.
In competition that spanned three days, the Wrangell High School boys basketball team traveled to Sitka to take on three different teams. They won two games and lost two games in fierce opening play.
On Thursday, the team was supposed to compete against Kodiak High School, but the Bears were canceled by foul weather. Instead, the Wolves took on the Sitka junior varsity team.
It took Wrangell time to get points on the board, finally scoring after more than three minutes of play. Seniors Jacen Hay and Devlyn Campbell started sinking baskets to tie up the score, but Sitka was able to pull ahead with two-pointers and free-throws. Eventually, Wrangell was able to start getting around the Sitka defense to take the lead, ending the first period ahead 15-14, Wrangell.
It was an equally matched second period that kept both teams scoring in answer to the other. Where Sitka was able to keep control of the ball, Wrangell had a solid defense. The second period ended 27-26, with Sitka leading.
The second half of the game started hot and Wrangell found its footing, landing point after point. Hay seemed like he couldn't miss the three-point shots he was laying down. By the end of the third period, Wrangell led by 14 points. Try as they might, Sitka's JV team couldn't catch up in the final period, as Daniel Harrison was able to contribute to the three-point buckets. Wrangell won 55-46.
"With not many practices in, missing some key players for wrestling, we really had a lot of players step up and do a great job for us," said head coach Cody Angerman. "Another thing is that both Sitka and Nikiski are 3A (larger) schools, so we're playing up. I'm proud of these guys for sure."
On Friday, Wrangell didn't fare as well going up against Sitka's varsity team, who showed up aggressive and fast by knocking the tipoff out of bounds. Wrangell got on the board first with another three-pointer by Hay, but Sitka answered with their own three-pointer.
The play seemed almost messy at times, with what looked like no control from Sitka. However, no matter where Wrangell's players would pass, a Sitka player was there, stealing the ball on a regular basis. With 1:19 left to play in the first period, the game was tied 10-10. At the buzzer, Hay landed his infamous three-point shot to take the lead.
Sitka's defense and speed increased as the game went on, gaining a seven-point lead by halftime. Things did not improve for Wrangell as Sitka only powered ahead after the third period started. The three-point shots Wrangell relied heavily on were coming up short.
By the end of the game, Sitka led by 16 points, winning 49-33.
On Saturday, Wrangell took on Nikiski, working well on the hardwood from the start. Where Nikiski seemed to struggle with its defense, the team made up for in its drives to the post, scoring two and taking advantage of Wrangell fouls. Wrangell led by two points at the end of the first two periods, 7-5 and 16-14, respectively.
In the second half of the game, Nikiski put on the pressure, keeping Wrangell on their toes. By the end of the third period, Nikiski took the lead, 28-25. That seemed to light a fire for Wrangell as they began to land shot after shot, eventually gaining a substantial lead. Nikiski couldn't keep up and Wrangell won the game 46-31.
The Wrangell Wolves had a shot at redemption against the Sitka varsity team as the two battled it out one more time Saturday night. Wrangell knew what to expect this time, and the Sitka Wolves made it no easier than their first game.
As Wrangell took the lead in the first period, Sitka's play became more aggressive, swooping in to steal, drive and score the ball. The two exchanged the lead throughout the period, with Wrangell leading 17-15 at the buzzer.
Despite a tight second period, with both teams putting up a solid defense, Sitka took advantage of its lead and surged forward, profiting off their fast and furious tactics and leading 31-24 at the half.
Try as they might, Wrangell couldn't close the point gap for the rest of the game. Every time they would get a couple of points, Sitka would answer by driving the ball and scoring two to keep the lead at 12 points. Even though Hay dropped a three-point shot in with 14 seconds left on the clock, it wasn't enough. Sitka won 54-46.
"Our guys played really tough. I would love to play this Sitka team again when we get Ethan (Blatchley) back," Angerman said.
Wrangell is scheduled to play Haines next in Wrangell the first week of January.
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