Courtesy Daily Sitka Sentinel

The Mt. Edgecumbe Braves swept a weekend series from Craig Feb. 3-4 to improve to 10-5 overall on the season and 6-1 in conference play. The Braves beat the visiting Panthers 72-42 and 70-47 at B.J. McGillis Gymnasium.

The MEHS  started their season with a series of nonconference games mostly against 4A opponents. The Braves were 4-4 when they dove into a stretch of seven conference games in 12 days that began Jan. 25.  They’ve come out on the other side with just one conference loss. They dropped a game at Sitka High, but defended their home court against Petersburg, Wrangell and Craig.

“We’re doing what we wanted to do,” coach Archie Young said, referring to the Braves’ goal of winning their conference games at home. The Braves played their final game at B.J. McGillis Gymnasium Feb. 4 and seniors Calvin Frankson, Cody Sherman, Jaylin Prince and Bryan Nick were honored before the game.

The Braves have five conference games remaining and all of those contests will be on the road. Coach Young said the Braves will look to at least split their road conference games. He said his players, some of whom are new to the varsity line-up this season,  are “getting more comfortable with  what their roles are on the floor.”

The game against Craig Feb. 3 was close after the first quarter with Edgecumbe up 17-13. But the Braves opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run and built a 32-19 halftime lead. Craig never really recovered as the Braves consistently broke down the Panthers’ zone and scored on easy buckets in the lane. Dominique Hall, showing a newfound aggressiveness on the offensive end, had 24 points to lead all scorers. Kacy Green had 23 of

his own. D.J. Almenzor led Craig with 12 points. The Braves put Craig away early Feb. 4, taking a 29-9 lead after the first quarter. The Braves got balanced scoring Saturday. Sherman had a game-high 18, with Prince adding 14. Hall and Leo Ford scored 11 each, Green had 8 and Calvin Frankson added 4. Bryan Nick and Kenny Jackson each had a bucket for the Braves. Craig got 17 from Karl Benolken. Almenzor had another 12 points and Dave Nelson scored 11.