By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka High School girls basketball team was runner-up at the state championships last season, posting a 20-4 record on the season, and coming within 10 points, 56-46, of powerhouse Anchorage Christian in the final game of the basketball season.
The Lady Wolves graduated just two seniors from that team and have returned eight players to the varsity program.
“This is a really nice group of girls that work hard and are pleasant to be around,” Sitka head coach Sondra Lundvick said. “They come early to practice and have good attitudes. I think it’s the building blocks for a really good core group.”
Starters returning are 5-foot-9 senior guard Joe Vidad, 5-foot-10 senior forward Abby Forrester, and 5-foot-9 senior forward Jessica Davis.
Also returning are 5-foot-7 senior guard Kyleigh McArthur, 5-foot-8 senior forward Shaye Jensen, 5-foot-3 junior guard Tiffany Elefante, 5-foot-11 sophomore center Jocelyn Brady, and 5-foot-7 sophomore guard Makenna Smith.
“We have good experience, definitely,” Lundvick said. “Not all of it at the varsity level, but good experience.”
Key additions to the varsity team are 5-foot-4 freshman guard Tawny Smith and 5-foot-11 freshman forward Chloe Morrison, both of whom could make an impact around the league or at least provide healthy competition throughout the season.
Players in the program include junior Jasmine Molina, sophomores Rean Famini, Jojo Rock, and Jocelyn Brady, and freshmen Jenivive Sibayan, Faye Sibayan, Kaia Lass, Razie Guillory, and Zoe Ahyakak Yazzie. Varsity team manager is senior Chava McClenahan. Assistant coaches are Kristi Brady and Mindy Bartolaba.
The key for Sitka will be filling the point guard role of graduated all-state guard Tatum Bayne.
“That is going to be the toughest thing for us,” Lundvick said. “We are going to have to do a little bit of everything. Be patient and learn and grow in those positions.”
The Sitka girls basketball team poses during practice Monday. Pictured are, front from left, Chloe Morrison, Jocelyn Brady, Tawny Smith, Tiffany Elefante and Makenna Smith. Back row from left, are Kylie McArthur, Joei Vidad, Jessica Davis, Abby Forrester and Shaye Jansen. (Sentinel Photo)
Elefante is ready to assume that role and was in tough situations last season when injuries required her services on the court.
“She stepped up and did great,” Lundvick said. “I expect her to take that spot. But good competition is good for everybody.”
Forrester and Davis are going to be vital for a repeat into the state championship game. Having a strength inside will allow the Lady Wolves to control rebounds and time management.
“My goal is to run the floor as much as possible,” Lundvick said. “We are not in the kind of shape that we will be in but it’s still early. We kind of ease into it. We are far from being in the shape we will be in.”
Interesting games on the schedule this year include a trip to Juneau-Douglas for the Capital City Classic which will feature the 4A JDHS Crimson Bears, 3A Barrow Whalers, and 4A East Thunderbirds; the Palmer Shootout with 4A host Palmer Moose, the 4A West Valley Wolfpack and 3A Grace Christian Grizzlies; and the Homer Tournament with the 3A Homer Mariners and 3A Galena Hawks, a team Sitka defeated 47-36 to open last season’s state championships. They then beat Valdez Buccaneers 45-37 in the state semifinals.
“And just playing Mt. Edgecumbe is stiff competition,” Lundvick said. “I don’t think we have any easy games for sure, and we start right off this weekend against Thunder Mountain. They have a lot of size and we have always had good games against Thunder. It’s an early game for us and I expect we will make mistakes, that’s what you do early but we’ll learn a lot. We just like people to know everything we do we work hard at, in the classroom included, they come six days a week to practice, and they are good students, athletes and citizens of the community and we appreciate all the support.”
Last season, the Alaska School Activities Association used a W.P.I. strength of schedule format to determine an at-large bid to the state tournament for teams that didn’t qualify from their respective regions. It was determined by games played against teams of the same classification. This year the at-large bid will be determined by common opponents among all classifications.
“Every game counts this year,” Lundvick said. “This is the toughest schedule we have played since I’ve been here. And we have a lot of travel this year. This will be a big task for this group of kids early; however it’s the only way to get better. If we want to be the best we have to play against the best. It should provide some very good opportunities for growth and experience against several top teams around the state, both 3A and 4A.”
The Lady Wolves game times this weekend at the SHS gym are Friday at 5:45 p.m. (JV 2:30 p.m.) and Saturday at 7 p.m. (JV 5:30 p.m.).
