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The Sitka High Lady Wolves beat the Mt. Edgecumbe Braves 34-32 Wednesday night (Feb. 24) at B.J. McGillis Gymnasium in the final game of the regular season for both teams.
The game had no effect on the conference standings, but both teams were looking to enter next week’s Region V tournament on a high-note.
The Lady Braves led most of the game, but Sitka took control of the action late in the fourth quarter. Karimae Carlson scored with three minutes left to put the Lady Wolves up 31-30 and Sitka went up for good after Justine Chapman stole the ensuing inbounds pass and scored to give the visiting Sitka team a 33-30 advantage. Sitka outscored Mt. Edgecumbe 10-2 in the fourth quarter as they stifled the Lady Braves with full-court pressure.
Christina Fields, a junior from Kotzebue, scored for Mt. Edgecumbe with about 40 seconds to bring the Lady Braves within 2 points at 34-32. Edgecumbe got the ball back with 6 seconds left, but the Lady Braves were unable to get a final shot off. The loss dropped MEHS to 15-3 overall and 9-3 in the conference. Lainey Beaver, a senior from Kotzebue, led all scorers with 11 points. Nicole Pingayak (Chevak) scored 8 points and Aeshia Upton (Togiak) had 6. The seven seniors on coach Carl Blackhurst’s squad were honored before the game tipped off. During the ceremony, Pingayak and Beaver were joined on the court by fellow 12th graders: Bessie Binkowski (Anchorage), Whitney Weber (Anaktuvuk Pass), Holly Demantle (Akiak), Upton, and Chantae Kochuten (King Cove). The Edgecumbe seniors were presented with roses by Sitka High players.
The Lady Braves will enter the Region V tournament, March 2-6 at Mt. Edgecumbe, as the two seed, with a first-round game against Metlakatla looming. The Sitka High Lady Wolves are the top seed and have a first-round bye.
Prior to the loss to Sitka, the Lady Braves won three games during a trip to Kotzebue, the western Alaska home of Beaver and Fields. MEHS beat the hosts 58-29, behind 18 points from Fields, 11 from Upton and 9 from Beaver on the opening night of the tournament. The next night, MEHS beat Dillingham 53-21. Pingayak had 16 points in the win and Fields had 10. The Lady Braves wrapped up the tournament with a 55-15 win over Unalaska. Pingayak led the way with 18 points and Beaver had 18. Brandi Hale (Hooper Bay) and Upton each chipped in 8.
The 3A girls Region V tournament opens March 3 at MEHS.