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Barrow boys sweep Galena in basketball: Defense leads the way: Lady Whalers split series

December 16th 2:03 pm | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

Opening weekend for the Barrow High School boys basketball team was about more than just tipping off the season.

It was also a time for veterans to display leadership skills and younger players to assert their will.

The Whalers looked sharp on all fronts, cruising to a series sweep of the Galena Hawks with a 64-42 win Friday and a 65-41 victory Saturday.

"Galena is in a rebuilding year. They are very young; they work hard," Barrow coach Jeremy Arnhart said. "We came out with high energy. We gave great effort."

Three players reached double figures for the Whalers in Colin Long [13], Donovan Nungasak [12] and Eddie Benson [10].

But it was the team's defense that stole the show. Barrow started the game on a 19-2 run en route to holding Galena to just 16 points through the first 24 minutes.

In the next game, Benson's 26 points led the Whalers while Long added 10 points.

"Colin Long had two good games," Arnhart said. "He was a good leader on the court and set the tone defensively." Winning by a comfortable margin allowed Arnhart to empty his bench, a luxury that is sure to pay dividends later in the season.

"We have a very good group of young players, which is very exciting," he added. "One of our goals is to get better with every game."

Arnhart expects another successful season of Whalers basketball.

"I would like to thank all the support we get from the community," he said. "We will represent Barrow in a positive way."

Barrow, Galena girls split

One night after suffering their first loss since the 2009 state tournament, the Lady Whalers started a new winning streak with a 54-35 victory over Galena in the series finale.

Last year the Barrow girls went 26-0 and won the state title.

But that was last year.

This year the Lady Whalers opened with a somewhat shocking 65-57 loss. It was stunning because it snapped the team's 26-game winning streak under coach Jordyn Danner, but it was only somewhat of a surprise because Galena is very good and features player-of-the-year candidate Jenna Buchanan, who just signed with the UAA Seawolves.

Danner knew she wouldn't stay undefeated forever.

"I definitely think losing our first game wasn't completely bad," she admitted. "I want these girls to see it and use it as a lesson. It showed us that we can't rest on being the defending state champs and that we aren't untouchable.

"We are a completely different team."

Her message hit home with the Lady Whalers, who responded like champions with a 54-35 romp.

All-state center Lynette Hepa led the way with 19 points [she had 17 in the opener], followed by Kanayurak [13] and Miguel [12].

The difference was Barrow's ability to deny Galena perimeter shooters open looks. One of Danner's key adjustments was going to a 4-guard, 1-post lineup for more court speed.

"Instead of playing man or a 3-2 zone we came out in a 1-3-1 in an attempt to minimize their 3-point shots," she said. "Our focus was stopping them on defense and taking our time on offense. I think we went into the game with a plan. The girls did a good job executing it and we came out with a victory."

 

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