By Sentinel Staff
The Sitka High Lady Wolves basketball team went into the Eastern Conference tournament facing an uphill struggle, but overcame their opponents and secured the championship title this weekend. Playing at Houston High in Big Lake, near Wasilla, Sitka opened with a lopsided, 57-29 win against the home team on Thursday, but then faced their cross-bridge rivals, the Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves.
CHAMPIONS - The Sitka High Lady Wolves celebrate their Eastern Conference victory at Houston High, Friday. The team plays again next week at the state championship. (Photo provided by Mindy Bartolaba)
Although Edgecumbe prevailed in three out of four matchups in the regular season, Sitka turned the tables Friday and defeated Edgecumbe 57-54 on Friday to seal the title.
Among the four boys teams, Mt. Edgecumbe took second place and secured a spot at the state tournament by beating Sitka 59-55 on Saturday.
The Braves opened the tournament with a 55-42 win against the Wolves but followed that up with a 91-90 loss in overtime to the Houston Hawks, Friday.
In the second round, Sitka beat the Redington Huskies 48-23, but that win pitted the Wolves against the Braves for the second time in the tournament. Sitka’s second loss against MEHS put the Wolves in third place. Houston won the boys tourney overall.
Additional coverage of the Eastern Conference tournament will appear in the Sentinel this week.
The state championship tournament begins March 22 in Anchorage.
