By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
Their backgrounds are as diverse as their favorite foods, anything from moose soup to mac-and-cheese, but the Mt. Edgecumbe High School Lady Braves seniors who have left their communities for better education have one thing in common: they have become a family.
“I am constantly amazed by this group of girls,” Mt. Edgecumbe coach Kathy Forrester said. “The maturity and growth they have shown since I have known them has made me a better person and coach.”
The Lady Braves will honor their seniors on Saturday before their 7:30 p.m. game against Sitka Lady Wolves in the B.J. McGillis Gymnasium.
The Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves seniors are, from left, manager Haley Sweet-Cushing
(Haines), Ashlyn Strom (Ft. Yukon), Catherine Sunny (Nightmute), Brystel Charlie (Kwethluk), Sanora Bell (Yakutat), Faith Kameroff (Emmonak), Tyra Brown (Chevak), and Leticia Skaflestad (Hoonah). The Lady Braves seniors will be honored before their 7:30 p.m. game Saturday against the Sitka Lady Wolves at the B.J. McGillis Gymnasium. The ceremony will follow the junior varsity game (5:30 p.m.) (Sentinel Photos by Klas Stolpe)
Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves seniors are:
Catherine Sunny (Nightmute), guard. Favorite food - Mac-n-cheese. Favorite book - “The Kite Runner” (Khaled Hosseini). Favorite movie - “The Choice.” Favorite song - “Wanted” (Hunter Hayes). Nickname - Sunny. Best part of your game - Attacking the basket, doing a euro-step, and going in for a lay up. Shooting floaters and three’s. Pregame ritual - We pray as a team right before we play. Favorite basketball memory - Playing charades my sophomore year on the ferry and the trip to Barrow when Sanora said she got a brain freeze from the cold walking from our hotel to the school, and the trip to Kotzebue when coach saw Sanora dancing when I was taking a video of her dancing to Bust Down Thotiana. What will you miss about MEHS - Friends and sports. Advice to young players - Play to your full potential, play with confidence, but most importantly, have fun! Career goals - Go to college at UAA, get a degree in nursing, go to medical school afterwards. Coach’s comments - A four year varsity player that I have only had the pleasure of coaching for two of those years. I remember her as a shy freshman on varsity with a great shot and big glasses. She has learned to be a good teammate and a great basketball player. Very competitive and driven. I will miss her sarcasm, which at times matches mine.
Leticia Skaflestad (Hoonah), wing. Favorite food - Waffles. Favorite book - “Looking for Alaska” (John Green). Favorite movie - “This is the End.” Favorite song - “The Way I Live” (Baby Boy Da Prince). Nickname - Skaf. Best part of your game - Perseverance. Pregame ritual - Pray. Favorite basketball memory - Playing in regionals last year with my best friends and teammates. What will you miss about MEHS - My friends and coaches. Advice to young players - Never take any of it for granted because one day it will be your last practice, your last trip, or your last game. Cherish all the memories and friends you make. Career goals - I will be attending the College of Southern Nevada. Coach’s comments - Been with us for two years and has come a long way. Is a smart defensive player and always works hard in practice and games. Last year she was voted “Most Improved” and it was much deserved.
Brystel Charlie (Kwethluk), guard. Favorite food - Eskimo salad. Favorite book - “The Fault in Our Stars” (John Green). Favorite movie - “Love and Basketball.” Favorite song - “Ghetto Supastar” (Pras featuring Mya, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard). Nickname - Brys. Best part of your game - Defense. Pregame ritual - Pray. Favorite basketball memory - Last year at regionals when we had a strong bond. What will you miss about MEHS - The friends that I have and how supportive they and my coaches are. Advice to young players - Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Career goals - To become an engineer. Coach’s comments - Is a beast on defense and my go-to lead on any defensive situation. Her intensity is infectious. Also leads the team in steals and taking charges and is one of our leading rebounders. I will miss her work ethic and drive. I will also miss her singing and busting out her dance moves.
Ashlyn Strom (Fort Yukon), forward. Favorite food - Moose soup. Favorite book - “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Harper Lee). Favorite movie - “A Walk to Remember.” Favorite song - Country music. “Picture” (Kid Rock), “Give Me One Reason” (Tracy Chapman). Nickname - Ash or Ashy. Best part of your game - Boxing out and getting rebounds. Pregame ritual - Taking a deep breath and reminding myself to have fun and not to be nervous. Favorite basketball memory - Always laughing during games when I was on JV my junior year and going to Ketchikan for regionals and having a talent show and playing card games. What will you miss about MEHS - I will miss hanging out with my friends, playing basketball, and getting opportunities to try new things. Advice to young players - Work hard and try to have fun, be confident in how you play and that there is always room for improvement. Career goals - I want to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage to get my bachelor’s in health sciences, then attend medical school to become a physician assistant or a family practitioner. Coach’s comments - Is a smart, hard-working student athlete, very coachable, kind, and a great teammate. Has improved a lot in the last two years since JV. She is such a positive addition to our team and will be greatly missed.
Sanora Bell (Yakutat), forward. Favorite food - Halibut/shrimp tacos. Favorite book - “Milk And Honey” (Rupi Kaur). Favorite movie - “A Star Is Born.” Favorite song - “Sicko Mode” (Travis Scott). Nickname - Taco. Best part of your game - Love to play it all. Pregame ritual - Team prayer. Favorite basketball memory - Experiencing my team grow each game, and watching my teammates’ progress and gain more confidence in themselves throughout the season. What will you miss about MEHS - Everyone that has become my family here. Advice to young players - Take advantage of your opportunity to play this game for this amazing school. Career goals - Become a dental hygienist. Coach’s comments - I have personally coached Sanora for four years. She is the glue and leader that keeps this team together. The first year I coached her was a bit rough but she has blossomed into not just an amazing athlete but a wonderful, kind-hearted human being. Will always have a special place in my heart. Plus, facebook already tags her as my family.
Tyra Brown (Chevak), forward. Favorite food - My dad’s fried chicken. Favorite book - “All-American Boys” (Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely). Favorite movie - “A Star is Born.” Favorite song - N/A. Nickname - T or Ty. Best part of your game - N/A. Pregame ritual - Get in the zone. Favorite basketball memory - When Tica made a lot of points that one game, I was so proud. What will you miss about MEHS - Friends that are like family. Advice to young players - Work hard for what you want because it is not going to come easy. Career goals - Environmental studies. Coach’s comments - Tyra is a good student athlete whom I’ve coached for less than 2 years. She works hard in practice and her claim to fame is going coast to coast for a basket.
Faith Kameroff (Emmonak), wing. Favorite food - Moose soup & moose ribs. Favorite book - “Looking for Alaska” (John Green). Favorite movie - “Coach Carter” and the cartoon “Frozen 4.” Favorite song - “Hall of Fame” (The Script). Nickname - Panik or Gaga. Best part of your game - Under the rim, pivoting foot. Pregame ritual - Praying for safety, listening to super loud music. Favorite basketball memory - Trying to sneeze with my eyes open with Vernae and Autumn. What will you miss about MEHS - My friends and free wifi. Advice to young players - Work on free throws and always stay positive no matter what. Career goals - UAF KuC in the education department, Yup’ik classes. Coach’s comments - Faith is a talented player and has a heart of gold. One of the most respectful and respected players I’ve ever had the privilege to coach. Has a great sense of humor that will also be missed.
Haley Sweet-Cushing (Haines), manager. Favorite food - Mom’s chicken enchiladas. Favorite book - “A Walk To Remember” (Nicholas Sparks). Favorite movie - “Hairspray” (director Adam Shankman). Favorite song - “Bennie and the Jets” (Elton John). Nickname - Sweets. Best part of your game - Running in heels to get ice for my teammates. Pregame ritual - Getting water bottles ready and getting ibuprofen ready for my team. Favorite memory - Watching our girls have the time of their lives playing in games. What will you miss about MEHS - All my friends and how welcomed I feel here. Advice to young players - Always try your hardest in practices, always try out for the team even if you think you are not going to make it. Career goals - Unknown. Coach’s comments - Haley is very organized and reliable. Is great at reminding me of things I shouldn’t forget. I’ve known Haley since I coached her in middle school and I will miss her very much.
