Jacen Hay, right, takes a jump shot while being flanked by Haines players, as teammate Devlyn Campbell prepares to rebound at last Friday's basketball game in Haines.
From the start of the game, the Wrangell High School boys basketball team had their work cut out for them against Haines.
The energy from both the Wolves and the Glacier Bears was evident from tipoff in Friday and Saturday games, leading to one loss and one win on Haines' home turf.
Right off the bat in the first period of the first game, Haines took possession of the ball and sunk a 3-point shot. Ethan Blatchley answered with Wrangell's first 2-pointer just moments into play. He would add another 20 points during the rest of the game, scoring half the team's overall points.
Both teams played aggressively, with Devlyn Campbell committing Wrangell's first foul of the game. Jacen Hay used his height and speed to steal consistently from the competition. The game showed two equally matched squads by the end of the first period, with Haines ahead 7-6.
Play was fast and strategic, with both sides keeping tight control on the ball, tying 12-12 at one time during the second period. Hay took advantage of the outside to make several 3-point-shot attempts but had trouble landing the buckets. The Glacier Bears started to pull ahead, eventually leading the game 27-20 at the end of the first half.
By the time the second half began, it was evident the high energy of the first half was affecting all the players on the court. However, once the Glacier Bears got their claws into a lead, they refused to let go. Furious back-and-forth play resulted in the teams trading basket for basket, but Haines was able to pull even further ahead, giving them a 15-point advantage by the end of the third period, which ended 49-34.
Blatchley's ability to score for Wrangell was matched in intensity by Haines senior Eric Gillham, who scored the most points scored of the game at 24. The Glacier Bears seemed to wane in the fourth period as shot attempts fell short on the offensive side.
Haines won, 61-44. "Our effort just wasn't there the first night," said Wrangell head coach Cody Angerman. "I think we counted 25-30 points to basically uncontested buckets on Friday. That's the game right there. Past Ethan, we didn't shoot the ball well, looked sluggish on (defense), didn't rebound the ball and didn't put in the effort. ... Haines outworked us and got every 50/50 ball."
In the second game on Saturday night, the Wolves came together as a pack and hunted for victory. After gaining possession of the ball from tipoff, Hay attempted a 3-point shot but fell short. The Glacier Bears took possession and were immediately called for traveling. Regaining the ball, Wrangell made another goal attempt but couldn't deliver. With the ball back in Haines' grip, Wrangell committed a foul against the home team, leading to the first point on the board.
Shortly after, Campbell was fouled and added Wrangell's first point to the board. Two of Wrangell's younger players, Keaton Gadd and Kyan Stead, played like seasoned pros, putting down their share of buckets and driving the ball wherever possible. Stead gave Wrangell its first lead of the game by dropping a 2-pointer.
Not to be outdone, Haines made an effortless 3-pointer to regain the lead, only to lose it to a goal made by Hay. The first period ended with a 10-10 tie.
In the second period, Gadd laid down back-to-back 3-pointers. Daniel Harrison, who was absent from Friday's game, rejoined the squad on Saturday and added to the Wolves' ferocity.
Everything the Glacier Bears brought at Wrangell on Friday, Wrangell served right back to the home team on Saturday and then some. The Wolves gained a solid lead early in the second period and held onto it, giving them a 10-point lead at the half, 22-12.
The Wolves younger players started the second half of the game by adding points to the board, with Boomchain Loucks making the first basket. The points were piling up for Wrangell as Stead dropped a 3-pointer, followed by Gadd and then Hay. Campbell used his speed to weave through the competition and make a 2-pointer. Wrangell held a 19-point lead, allowing Haines to score only four points during the quarter. Third-period play ended with Wrangell leading 39-16.
"We made adjustments for Saturday," Angerman said. "Even though we took the L the first night, it was a silver lining to see that we can make changes and turn it around immediately."
Wrangell had a 25-point lead in the fourth period with 5:43 left to play. The Glacier Bears increased their aggression and a series of fouls led to slower play in the quarter. Haines' points during the period came mostly from free-throw attempts, while Wrangell solidly made goal after goal. Hay brought in the most points for the team at 17, and Wrangell won 53-34.
The Wolves are scheduled to play the Vikings in Petersburg this Friday and Saturday. "They're a tough team and we'll need to play well to win," Angerman said.
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