So, you're going to battle the crowds on Friday and Saturday to get one last glimpse of Carlos Boozer?
Do yourself a favor: get to the gym early.
Like, right now would be good.
Not only would you be assured of a seat come Friday, but you'll also be able to see absolutely hands-down some of the most exciting 3A action of the season tonight in the second round of the Region V 3A tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School.
It doesn't get any better than the Petersburg-Metlakatla pairing at 4 p.m. and the Haines-Wrangell contest at 8 p.m. at JDHS. The winners of each game win not only a spot in Friday's 3A championship game, but they nail down a ticket to the state tournament to boot.
"The level of play and the balance of this year's teams reminds me of 1995," said Haines coach Rich Calkins - that's the year that his Glacier Bears were upended by region foe Wrangell in the state championship game.
"This looks to be the same. It's a lot of fun," Calkins said.
With a bit of Madness mixed in for good measure.
The only difference is that in '95, Haines dominated the regular season before losing to the Wolves in the state finals. This year, Wrangell (18-3) comes into the Region V tourney generally regarded as the team to beat.
Haines (15-4) bumped off an overmatched but scrappy Craig squad (5-16) in Tuesday's opening round, 71-57. In the other 3A men's opener, Metlakatla (13-8) posted a lopsided 75-55 win over Mt. Edgecumbe.
Men's Region V 3A tournament
Opening round
Metlakatla 75, Mt. Edgecumbe 55
Metlakatla coach Greg Buxton said it was a nice way to start the tourney.
"After last year, yes," he said with relieved look - his Chiefs were stunned in last year's opening round against these same Braves.
Five players scored in double figures for the Chiefs, including Anthony Gogert (22), Amos Hudson (13), Mike Henderson (12), Jacob Milne (10) and Donovan Marsden (10). Metlakatla had a slim three-point lead at the half and a seven-point lead after three periods before busting loose in the final stanza.
Tonight, Metlakatla has a chance to cause some turmoil of its own against the region's two-time defending champion Petersburg Vikings. Those teams split four games against each other this year, both winning on their home court handily.
"This is the matchup you want," Buxton said. "If you want to prove you're ready for the next level, this is the team to beat. They have the experience."
Metlakatla, meanwhile, has a bit less experience than it would like. About three weeks ago standout senior guard Marty Martinez was sidelined for the rest of the season when his appendix burst.
Nonetheless, Buxton believes his Chiefs can get to state for the first time in his three years as head coach.
"Our ultimate goal was to get to state. We're feeling good about getting over that mental block," he said.
Haines 71, Craig 57
Haines, a perennial Region V power, still has a bad taste left in its mouth from last year when it lost in the second round of the region playoffs and was left off The Dance card.
The Glacier Bears came out a bit off-balance on Tuesday, trailing Craig 11-9 after one. But when they began hitting on all cylinders - they finished the night a sizzling hot 26-of-46 from the field - they were too much for the Panthers.
"I think everybody was a little nervous," said senior forward Larry Sweet (11 points) of his team's slow start. "We're usually not like that, but it was kinda like the first game of the season for us."
It was the first of the postseason, which can be even more nerve-wracking. It doesn't get any easier tonight.
Sweet was one of four Glacier Bears in double figures: Ben Egolf (24 points, 12 rebounds); Tyler Healy (13 points, 4 rebounds); and Frank White (11 points, 4 rebounds) also had big games.
"We have three kids who average 14-16 points," Calkins said. "Balance is our strength."
Egolf, the Bears' 6-foot-9 center, is definitely a strength. He blocked four shots and had five steals on Tuesday. Craig couldn't contain him.
"He's really developed his game a lot," Calkins said of his junior post. "He passes the ball well and we have guys who can hit from the perimeter, so we tend to make teams pay if they double-team him."
Haines lost twice to Wrangell a couple of weeks ago in the teams' only meetings this year. One was by four points and one was in double overtime.
"They're a great team to play against; both teams play similar ball," Calkins said.
Craig may not be at that level, yet. The Panthers, however, displayed some excellent young talent on Tuesday, including sophomore Craig Carter (16 points, freshman guard Ryan Hamilton (8 points, 4 steals, 3 assists) and freshman forward John Mackie that suggested it won't be too long before they're competing with the region's best.
"The young ones are really coming," said Craig coach Jerry Carter, Craig's pop.
"The big guy (Egolf) was tough. We've hit some teams this year with big players and we don't match up," he said, noting his Panthers tallest players are 6-2. "But I'm proud of `em. I had guys 5-11 saying, `Let me guard him.' The desire is really there."
