By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka High School girls basketball team put together one of their smallest starting lineups of the season and came away with one of their biggest scores, racking up 62 points to Craig’s 31 during Thursday’s Coastal Holiday Shootout here.
Playing without injured starting forward Abby Forrester, the Lady Wolves began the contest with freshman Tawny Smith, junior Tiffany Elefante, and seniors Shaye Jensen and Joei Vidad as their four tires, and senior Jessica Davis as the power in the middle.
Sitka sophomore Tiffany Elefante (3) dribbles up court as Craig Lady Panthers freshman Shay Johnson (33) gives chase during the Coastal Holiday Shootout on Thursday at Sitka High.
“I think we figured out that we better play some defense,” Sitka coach Sondra Lundvick said. “That’s what we’re going to go with and hopefully that will give us a little more energy.”
Sitka senior Joei Vidad (5) and freshman Chloe Morrison double team Craig Lady Panthers senior Ashley Hansen (14) during action at Thursday’s
Coastal Holiday Shootout. (Sentinel Photos by Klas Stolpe)
That energy came full court as the Lady Wolves pressured throughout.
Both teams went end to end in the first quarter with Sitka trailing 10-9 as Craig senior Johanna Allen-Skan found her touch from beyond the arch twice.
The second quarter belonged to the Lady Wolves as they opened with an 11-1 run that included two steals and two baskets from Vidad, a basket and free throws from Elefante, and a jumper from Jensen.
Freshman Chloe Morrison came off the bench and hit a jump shot from 10 feet, Vidad got her third steal and two scores, and Jensen and Elefante hit again.
Sitka’s Chloe Morrison (12) scores around Craig Lady Panther senior Ashley Hansen (14) during the Coastal Holiday Shootout on Thursday at Sitka High.
Sitka rotated through the roster in the first half with sophomore Makenna Smith and senior Kyleigh McArthur providing defensive pressure outside and sophomore Jocelyn Brady inside in both quarters.
The Lady Wolves found themselves sitting on a 33-15 advantage at halftime.
“The biggest compliment I can give the team tonight is that everybody that went in did something well,” Lundvick said. “If you can do that, when everybody can contribute in some way, then I think you’re working in the right direction.”
Craig seniors Ashley Hansen, Sarah Yates and Allen-Skan found baskets in the third quarter but Sitka answered with a Vidad rebound and score, a M. Smith steal and score and a Vidad basket from beyond the arch as they pushed out to a 42-25 advantage after three quarters.
Craig Lady Panthers senior guard Sarah Yates (13) is fouled by Sitka sophomore Tiffany Elefante (3) during the Coastal Holiday Shootout on Thursday at Sitka High.
“Joei Vidad had a phenomenal night,” Lundvick said. “It’s that simple. And I thought we had a lot of people contribute in a lot of ways.”
The fourth quarter featured Morrison tallying a steal, score, rebound and block, and another steal that finished with an asset to Vidad. The stanza began and ended, however, with Davis in the post hitting a put back inside, a free throw, another rebound and score, and then a 3-point play the old fashioned way with a minute left.
Davis then set a screen for Elefante who broke down the lane for the last score of the game.
Vidad led Sitka with a game-high 19 points, Davis added 10, Elefante 9, Morrison 8, McArthur 4, and M. Smith 2. Davis and Morrison led with 8 rebounds apiece. Elefante had 5 assists. Vidad led with 5 steals.
Sitka hit 6-9 from the charity stripe; Craig 7-12.
Allen-Hansen led the Lady Panthers with 10 points, A. Hansen added 8, Sarah Yates 5, so. Sara Burnham and fr. Shay Johnson 3 apiece, and jr. Dayna Jo Johnson 2.
Today’s schedule: 3 p.m. boys, Delta vs. Ketchikan junior varsity; 4:30 p.m. girls, Craig vs. Thunder Mountain; 6 p.m. boys, Sitka vs. Craig; 7:30 p.m. girls, Sitka vs. Thunder Mountain.
Saturday schedule: 10 a.m. contests; 1 p.m. boys, KTN JV vs. Sitka JV; 2:30 p.m. girls, Sitka JV vs. TMHS JV; 4 p.m. boys, Craig vs. Ketchikan JV; 5:30 p.m. girls, Sitka vs. Craig; 7 p.m. boys, Sitka vs. Delta.
