The Haines High School girls’ basketball team’s five seniors all scored in their home finale on Saturday, capping off a series sweep of Metlakatla.
Totals for seniors in the 36-28 victory included Kayley Swinton, 16; Destinee Cowart, 5; Autumn Gross, 4; Jenae Larson, 2; and Nattaphon “Ice” Wangyot, 1.
“I couldn’t ask for better leadership from a work-ethic perspective,” said coach Greg Brittenham.
The Glacier Bears built a big enough lead that post player Gross was given the green light to attempt two unsuccessful shots from deep, because “she wanted to hit a three-pointer in her career,” Brittenham said.
Metlakatla was more formidable in the first game, falling by a 32-30 margin.
The Haines boys went 0-2 against Metlakatla at home, but held a third-quarter lead the first night.
Coach Steve Fossman said the team cut down on turnovers, rebounded well, and had an “awesome” fastbreak offense in the 53-47 loss.
“Metlakatla’s a good team,” Fossman said. “They’re ranked No. 1 in the state right now.”
Senior Trevor Cox tried to will the team to victory, pouring in 23 points. Sophomore Dylan Swinton scored 9 points, sophomore Hudson Sage, 7; junior Jacob Stigen, 5; senior Matthew Green, 2; and junior Dylan Palmieri, 1.
Metlakatla pounded the ball inside the second night on the way to a 57-34 win. Cox led with 11 points, and Swinton added 10.
Cox, Green and Zane Durr were honored during Senior Night on Saturday.
Fossman said Cox has “taken on a pretty big role on the team, obviously” since transferring here from Skagway last school year, and Green is “definitely a leader by example,” while Durr and the other team reserves have been pushing the starters at practice all season. “The 6-through-10 guys are giving the top guys everything they can handle.”