Unalaska, AK – The Unalaska Raiders boys and girls varsity basketball teams both started off the season with great triumphs. The girls' team played an away game at Sand Point on Thursday and beat the home team 72 to 30. They scored 20 points more than their strongest game last year. The girls will play again Friday and will host Sand Point and King Cove here next weekend.

The boys' varsity team played their first home game this afternoon against King Cove and beat the visitors 50 to 35. Team co-captain Eric Do said it's a positive way to start the new season and shows that they have great potential. "We have pretty good down low posts, and the guards are getting comfortable with handling the ball against pressure, so definitely getting better."

Coach Jim Wilson said it's a very young, very new team this year, but they should make a strong showing. Thirteen of the players are new to the sport, unlike last year when many of them had played together since elementary school. Wilson said this first game is a great start.

"For the first game I thought the kids came out and played well. We've been working really hard at practice on the defensive intensity, and I was really happy with how they came out defensively. I thought the kids really came out and pressured the ball hard, did a nice job of getting out in transition. So for the first game of the year I was really pleased."

But they still need to focus on some trouble areas, the coach noted. "We need to continue to work on our offensive patience. At times we get into a hurry offensively, so we have to be patient offensively and get a good look every time down the floor. Some times when we get in a hurry, and we end up taking a bad shot in positions we shouldn't be in, and that leads to transition baskets on the other end, so continuing to work on offensive execution" is important.

The varsity team will face Sandpoint this evening, Friday, at 8:45 pm, after the senior recognition ceremony.

The boys JV team played against Sand Point at 3:30 pm. The game was close throughout and during the fourth quarter the home team pushed aggressively on the offense and closed the gap. However, the Sandpoint team pushed forward and came out on top winning 48 to 44.

The JV team will challenge King Cove tonight at 7 pm. On Saturday morning the teams will play again at 8 am and 9:30 am. These will be the only boys' home games of the season. The girls will play at home against King Cove and Sandpoint next weekend.