By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka High School girls basketball team will look to rebound from a long weekend at the Palmer Elks Showdown with a strong performance in Juneau on Friday and Saturday.
“We still went 1-2 even without our full roster,” Sitka coach Sondra Lundvick said. “I hope to have everyone back for this weekend in Juneau.”
In the Palmer tournament, the Lady Wolves fell 54-50 to 4A Palmer, defeated 3A Grace Christian 41-37, and lost to 4A West Valley 73-46.
Sitka senior Abby Forrester was selected to the All Tournament team, averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game.
“She played outstanding,” Lundvick said.
Forrester poured in 20 points against Palmer. Chloe Morrison added 12 points, Kyleigh McArthur 6, Tiffany Elefante 4, and Tawny Smith, Shaye Jensen, Jocelyn Brady and Jessica Davis 2 apiece.
Sitka trailed 19-12 after the first quarter, 31-20 at the half, and 43-38 starting the final eight minutes. The Lady Wolves were 12-19 at the free throw line, the Moose went 5-9. Catherine Usehmann led Palmer with 21 points and Abriana Busbey added 17.
Against Grace, Forrester led with 15 points, McArthur 8, Morrison 7, Smith 4, Jensen 3, Brady and Elefante 2 apiece.
The game was tied 11-11 after the first quarter. Sitka led 27-15 at the half and 33-21 starting the final eight minutes. The Lady Wolves hit 12-15 at the line, the Grizzlies went 5-8. Tessa Binder led Grace with a game high 21 points.
Sitka faced one of the state’s top 4A teams to end the tournament, and West Valley jumped out to a 20-8 first quarter lead. They outscored the Lady Wolves in each stanza, leading 39-24 at the half and 58-32 starting the final eight minutes.
In a relatively clean game Sitka went 5-6 at the line and West Valley hit 4-5.
Forrester scored 10 points for the Lady Wolves, Morrison added 9, Elefante 8, Makenna Smith, Brady, and Davis 4 each, Jensen 3, McArthur and T. Smith 2 apiece. The Wolfpack was led by 17 points from Sierra Tate, 16 from Ali May and 15 from Sheridan Blasey.
Sitka will have their hands full on Friday and Saturday at the Juneau-Douglas Lady Crimson Bears den. JDHS beat Ketchikan at the Lady Kings court 50-35 last Friday and 43-41 last Saturday. Senior Caitlin Pusich scored 21 and 14 points, respectively. Game times are 6:15 p.m. in Juneau this weekend.
The Lady Crimson Bears are undefeated against Southeast schools this season and are 8-2 overall.
