Wrangell girls basketball coach Christy Good is feeling optimistic.

She likes the look of her roster this season. She is especially happy with the level of talent on this year’s team.

“This is the first year in a long while that we have had options with so many tall girls,” Good said. “But we are expecting some tough competition.”

She noted that the program has grown steadily each year. Last season, the Wrangell girls basketball team finished third at the Southeast tournament in Ketchikan. The team is ready to improve on that finish.

This year’s squad features a strong mix of players, the coach said. There are three seniors leading the way: Ava Garrett, Shailyn Nelson and Christina Johnson.

Good said there is an effective blend of all age groups on the team. The roster currently has 13 athletes. She is pleased that there will be no reason to pull up any middle school athletes to fill spots on the high school team.

“A coach’s job is to help these athletes find what they’re good at and help mold it into confidence on the court,” she said. “We have a lot of talent on this team. We’re just going to build on our strengths and focus on doing what we can.”

Good brings plenty of knowledge to the bench. She has approximately 20 years of coaching experience. She coached in Wrangell for several years before moving away, and this is her fifth year as head coach since returning to town. She is joined by assistant coaches Kaelene Harrison and Lynsie Morelli.

The primary goal is clear. The team wants to get to the state competition this year.

“It’s a big goal, but I’m very realistic about that as the coach,” Good said. “This is a very competitive league we’re playing in.”

She knows it will be difficult. However, she believes that with hard work and focus, it can be done.

“This is a great group of girls that show up and put in a lot of good effort with good attitudes,” she said.

Her coaching philosophy centers on fairness and performance.

“I feel like each athlete deserves time on the court,” Good said. “If you are talented, regardless of the grade, you will have playing time with the team.”

She also feels confident in the leadership abilities of team members, and wants them to go out and execute their plans and ideas.

On the court, the strategy focuses on fundamentals.

“As a team, we really need to focus on nailing our free throws,” she said. “We want to force turnovers and really sharpen our focus on defense.”

Fans can see the team in action soon. Both the boys and girls basketball teams will open their season with games against Haines on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 9-10, at the high school gym.