By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka High girls basketball team turned their intensity around after dropping their opening Capital City Classic tourney game 52-25 to the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears last Thursday, finishing the tournament with two more losses but strengthened mentally.
The Lady Wolves fell 38-28 to the East Anchorage Thunderbirds on Friday and 58-50 to the Barrow Lady Whalers on Saturday.
“The second half of today and definitely yesterday we played more of the style we would like to play,” Sitka coach Sondra Lundvick said after the loss to Barrow. “Until we get healthy and to full strength it will be a struggle. We put some young kids into some spots that were fairly pressure filled. I think they’re adjusting. They’re getting better. It’s still December and we hope to be playing until late March so we’ll see.”
Playing without starting senior point guard Joei Vidad (on vacation) and with senior Abby Forrester taking the court with a broken finger and sprained ankle, the Lady Wolves went toe-to-toe with East and Barrow.
Forrester had two steals in the first two minutes of action and senior Jessica Davis hit two buckets, but Sitka trailed East 12-6 after eight minutes.
Sitka seniors Jessica Davis (45) and Shay Jensen (10) defend Barrow junior Olivia Leavitt during the Capital City Classic in Juneau on Saturday. (Sentinel Photo by Klas Stolpe)
The Lady Wolves scored 10 points in the second quarter, 7 from the free throw line and 1 deep shot from senior Shaye Jensen, to trail 23-16 at the half.
Sitka outscored East 7-5 in the third quarter to close within five points, 28-23 starting the final eight minutes.
East scored the first six points of the fourth quarter and Sitka’s first point came via a Forrester free-throw with 1:33 remaining in the game. The Lady Wolves ran out of steam and fell 38-28. Sitka hit 11-19 at the charity stripe, East 1-2. Sitka had 13 turnovers, East 6.
Forrester and senior Jessica Davis led the Lady Wolves with 8 points apiece, Jensen added 7, senior Kyleigh McArthur and freshman Tawny Smith 2 each, and junior Tiffany Elefante 1.
Sitka senior Kyleigh McArthur (21) is fouled by East Anchorage’s Arianna Nelson and Kristi Anderson (20) as Lady Wolves coach Sondra Lundvick reacts during the Capital City Classic Tournament in Juneau on Friday. (Sentinel Photo by Klas Stolpe)
Against Barrow on Saturday the Lady Wolves put themselves into a 13-3 hole with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter.
After a timeout, Sitka went on a 7-3 run behind a rebound score from freshman Chloe Morrison, a Morrison put back and free throw, and another Morrison rebound and score to trail 16-10 after eight minutes.
Forrester went to work in the second quarter, scoring the first six points for the Lady Wolves, and McArthur added a jumper and a steal to feed Morrison inside, to stay close with Barrow at the half, 30-21.
Sitka senior Abby Forrester shoots over the Barrow Lady Whalers defense during the Capital City Classic in Juneau on Saturday. (Sentinel Photo by Klas Stolpe)
Barrow so. Lewanne Brower hit three straight shots from beyond the arch to key an 18-point third quarter for the Whalers while Sitka relied on Forrester driving and two fast break baskets by Smith and Elefante to trail 48-32 with just eight minutes to play.
Forrester scored 10 of her game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter. Sitka rallied to within 11 points, 55-44, with 3:06 remaining in the game.
Barrow so. Katelyn Kaleak scored on a rebound and fr. Jennilee Donovan hit a free-throw for a 58-44 advantage.
Forrester scored a jumper and then hit two free throws to close the gap to 58-48 and Morrison scored inside for the final 58-50 deficit for the Lady Wolves.
“You have to know time and situation and the right thing to do,” Lundvick said. “We’re learning. I have to keep in mind that is what we are doing and these are all teachable moments. Sometimes everybody is frustrated but there are things you have to learn and grow through and until you do it you don’t know it. We have to be patient with ourselves and each other. The goal is to get a little bit better every year and if you do that then you are doing what you need to do.”
Sitka hit 18-26 at the charity stripe, Barrow 8-12. The Lady Wolves had 8 turnovers, the Lady Whalers 4.
Forrester led Sitka with 23 points, Morrison 10, Smith 7, Davis 5, Elefante 3, McArthur 2. Barrow was led by 17 points from sr. Jordan Ahgeak, Kaleak added 15, Brower 9, jr. Olivia Leavitt, Donovan, and sr. Sara Wolgemuth 3 each, fr. Justine Balanza, jr. Madison Nicely, and so. Trinity Manu 2 apiece.
McArthur had 3 steals for Sitka, Forrester, T. Smith, so. McKenna Smith 2 each, and Jensen 1. Morrison had 7 rebounds for Sitka, Davis 5, Forrester 4, and McArthur 2.
