Basketball Game Preview: Haines Glacier Bears vs. Metlakatla Chiefs

Haines hasn't had much luck against Metlakatla recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Haines Glacier Bears will take on the Metlakatla Chiefs at 2:00 p.m. Haines has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.

Haines is headed into the match having just posted their closest victory since March 6, 2024 on Wednesday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Craig 47-45.

Meanwhile, two teams were on the hunt for playoff glory, but only Metlakatla walked away with it. Everything went their way against the Wolves on Thursday as they made off with a 46-23 victory. The Chiefs have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won eight games by 20 points or more this season.

Haines better focus on containing Lexi Cook and Saahdia Buffalo as the pair were huge in Metlakatla's win. Cook posted 12 points, while Buffalo put up 11 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Morgan Hayward, who had seven points.

Metlakatla has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won ten of their last 11 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 19-4 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 28.1 points on average over those games. Haines' record is now 7-9.

Haines couldn't quite finish off Metlakatla when the teams last played back in January and fell 44-42. Can Haines avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.