By Declan O’Malley

Journal contributor

Boys basketball

The Friday Harbor boys basketball team faced a challenging nonconference schedule to open the season, playing six games against tough opponents in late November and December.

The Wolverines opened play Saturday, Nov. 29, with a road loss at University Prep, 56-23, followed by a home defeat to Blaine on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 52-39. Friday Harbor remained on the road for losses at Overlake School on Saturday, Dec. 6, 47-16, and at Mount Baker on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 63-38. The Wolverines then fell at Lummi Nation on Monday, Dec. 15, 70-17.

The stretch concluded Saturday, Dec. 20, when Friday Harbor returned home and narrowly missed its first win, dropping a close 40-38 decision to Sultan.

Girls basketball

The Friday Harbor girls basketball team also opened the season against a demanding nonconference slate, posting a 1-5 record through its first six games.

The Wolverines dropped home contests to Meridian on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 29-17, and Blaine on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 40-18, before earning a road victory at Overlake School on Saturday, Dec. 6. Friday Harbor pulled away in the second half for a 55-32 win.

The Wolverines then suffered road losses at Mount Baker on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 53-23, and at Cedar Park Christian of Bothell on Saturday, Dec. 13, 69-31. The opening stretch concluded Saturday, Dec. 20, with a tightly contested home game against Sultan, where Friday Harbor came up just short in a 42-37 loss.