Varsity girls lose both games against Metlakatla

The girls varsity basketball team suffered two blowout defeats at home to Metlakatla last weekend.

"I thought our girls really put in a lot of effort, defensively," said head coach Christina Good. "We're a young team; we're still learning. ... I'm really proud of our girls for keeping their heads up and putting in the effort. I feel like both nights they did that."

The Lady Wolves knew that the MissChiefs would be tough opponents. Before the Feb. 9-10 games in Wrangell, the Metlakatla girls had won 12 in a row. "Metlakatla, they are so good at pounding the paint and hitting their shots," Good said. "They're a darn good team, and we're learning from those good teams."

In Friday's game, the Lady Wolves got off to an early start with a trey from senior Kayla Meissner, putting them ahead 3-2. But Metlakatla took control and won 61-27.

Saturday's game was almost halfway through the first quarter before freshman Alana Harrison scored the Lady Wolves' first two points to the MissChiefs' 8 points. The score once again widened from there, with Metlakatla winning 85-29.

High scorers for the varsity girls were Harrison and Meissner, earning 10 points and 9 points, respectively, in both games. "Alana Harrison did well on both nights, rebounding," Good said.

The junior varsity team also lost both of their games against Metlakatla, with the MissChiefs winning in a close contest Friday, 37-33, then Saturday, 54-33.

On Friday, Harrison was the top scorer for the JV team with 13 points, followed by freshman Sophia Martinsen and sophomore Christina Johnson, who both scored 5 points. On Saturday, Martinsen was the top scorer with 11 points, while Harrison got 8.

Good said that the key to improvement is more rebounds, fewer turnovers and definitely more scoring. "We have to attack and block out," she added. "Running our offense, taking care of the ball and getting our rebounds."

The team will prepare as the regular season nears the end, making way for the Southeast regional tournament in March. "Tournament is a whole new ball game," Good said. "We just have to stay the course."

The Lady Wolves will next play at Craig, Feb. 23-24.