By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka High Lady Wolves scored an overtime win over the Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves’ basketball squad in a nail-biter game, Friday at Sitka High.
The final score was 45-42, a dramatic close to a game played in front of packed stands, Sitka High’s pep band, and both schools’ cheer squads.
“We struggled offensively, especially early... It showed a lot of grit and a lot of character to withstand that. And I felt like the girls were there for one another,” Wolves’ coach Sondra Lundvick said after the game.
In the first quarter, the Wolves missed six layups, and by the first buzzer, Edgecumbe held the lead 11-2.
But things changed in the second quarter. Sitka High made a 12 point run, unanswered by Edgecumbe. Sophomore Chloe Morrison notched six of those points, with Tawny Smith, Tiffany Elefante, and Jocelyn Brady scoring the remainder.
But the Lady Braves kept their lead by the half, 16-14, spurred on by a trio of baskets by Vernae Ramoth.
“I’m super proud of how hard they’ve worked,” Mt. Edgecumbe coach Kathy Forrester said.
“Our rotation on defense is what we need to try to adjust more,” she noted.
Wolves’ Tawny Smith goes for a shot against the Lady Braves in a match up, Feb. 8 at Edgecumbe. Sitka won that game. (Sentinel photo)
Moving into the third quarter, the teams stayed neck-and-neck, with neither gaining a decisive edge. The quarter ended with Edgecumbe leading 30-26.
“In the second half we had fewer turnovers, and we had some pretty good defensive stands,” Lundvick said.
With 12.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Sitka held a 2 point lead, 38-36. The Wolves called a time out, but there was a twist.
“They (officials) didn’t really make it clear whose ball it was going to be,” Forrester said.
Lundvick noted that she expected her team to have possession following the time out, and Forrester believed that the Wolves would be in possession as well.
But when play resumed, the Lady Braves were in possession.
“You’ve just to play through it,” Lundvick said.
Edgecumbe’s Vernae Ramoth made a basket and evened the score with under a second left to send the match into overtime.
“She got a weak side rebound and put it back up,” Forrester said.
The Lady Wolves pulled ahead in overtime, with baskets from Tiffany Elefante, Tawny Smith, and Jocelyn Brady. The Braves stayed close, however, notching points from Cameryn Olsen and Vernae Ramoth.
Forrester remarked on the large disparity of fouls during the game.
“We fouled too many times again... You can’t foul Sitka, because they make every basket,” she said.
The rival teams play again March 3, at Sitka.
The local boys teams play again March 4, at Mt. Edgecumbe High.
But first, the local squads face off against Fairbanks’ Hutchison High this week. The schedule is below.
Wednesday at Sitka
4 p.m. Girls C Sitka vs. Edgecumbe
5:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Sitka vs. Hutchison
7 p.m. Boys Varsity Sitka vs. Hutchison
Thursday at Sitka
4 p.m. Boys JV Sitka vs. Edgecumbe
5:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Sitka vs. Hutchison (Boys senior night)
7 p.m. Girls Varsity Sitka vs. Hutchison (Girls senior night)
Friday at Edgecumbe
4:30 p.m. Boys C Edgecumbe vs. Sitka
6 p.m. Girls Varsity Edgecumbe vs. Hutchison
7:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Edgecumbe vs. Hutchison
Saturday at Edgecumbe
4:30 p.m. Girls C Edgecumbe vs. Edgecumbe
6 p.m. Boys Varsity Edgecumbe vs. Hutchison
7:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Edgecumbe vs. Hutchison (Senior night)
The Region V Tournament is set for Juneau, March 12-14.
Both coaches mentioned that a number of players were sick during the game.
“I just want kids to be healthy, I think that will make a difference,” Forrester said.
