Wolverines fight hard against Concrete

By Kathryn Wheeler,

Journal contributor.

Boys Wolverine Basketball:

The team put on a show Thursday night, as they crushed opponent, Concrete with a score 70 – 32, making it the biggest win of the season. While the game started with a point-to-point battle, the team quickly gained momentum and broke away, exhausting Concrete’s defense with a number of steals and an energy that could be felt for the many fans watching. Junior Chris Gustafson proved indispensable, with an ability to turn an impressive number of missed baskets into points. Senior Jasper Williamson showed fearlessness, breaking through a swarm of defenders multiple times while sophomore Pierce Kleine had a number of impressive finishes from the field. Coach Brandyn Petersen commanded a clear respect from his players, who executed his instructions with clinical precision.

Coming off of the enormous win, the potential of what this group can do seems limitless.

The next game is scheduled for Jan. 25 against Darrington, in Darrington, and the next home game is scheduled Jan. 31, at 3:30 p.m. in the Turnbull Gym, against Orcas.

Girls Wolverine Basketball:

Last Wednesday, the team played their best half of the year against last year’s state champions, Mount Vernon Christian. We went into the half-time break down only 25 – 13, having played with aggression on defense and composure on offense. MVC pulled away in the third quarter, and the game ended with a score of MVC 67, Friday Harbor 26. The Wolverines were led in scoring by senior Mia Blackmon with six points, and by 8th grader Vera Schoultz with eight.

On Thursday, the Friday Harbor Girls Varsity Basketball Team commanded the court resulting in a massive win over visiting team Concrete with a score of 68-10. The Wolverines came out strong, with fluid passing and a defensive wall that conducted numerous steals and was almost unbreakable for the visitors. Momentum only picked up as the game went on showing a cohesive team with immense potential once they settle into a groove. Freshman Vera Schoultz had a particularly strong night, scoring 14 points. Junior Mckenna Clark also contributed greatly with an impressive 13 points, followed by senior Mia Blackmon with nine points, and junior Esme Smith with seven. Coach Sue Grenfell, spoke with pride in her team’s performance. “Overall we’re doing really well, we’re improving week to week, the kids are working really hard, and they’re playing really well as a team,” she said, adding “the good pressure defense from the team resulted in turnovers and fast break opportunities, which led to our highest-scoring game of the year..”

On Saturday, Jan. 21, the girls headed to Granite Falls, where they defeated the Tigers 37 – 26. “We had another well-balanced game in terms of scoring, with seven players contributing to the total. Our starting guards, McKenna Clark and Mia Blackmon, both had excellent games both offensively and defensively,” Grenfell said. “Another major contributor was sophomore Perla Garcia Sanabria, who ended the game with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and six steals.”

The next game is scheduled for Jan. 25 against Darrington, in Darrington, and the next home game is scheduled Jan. 31, at 5:15 p.m. in the Turnbull Gym, against Orcas.