Nolin Ainsworth

Juneau-Douglas’ Alyxn Bohulano, right, attempts to steal the ball from Thunder Mountain’s Kira Frommherz at JDHS on Friday, March 3, 2018. JDHS won 53-33. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Short-handed Crimson Bears win sixth straight

After squandering fastbreak opportunities with missed layups early on, the Juneau-Douglas High School girls basketball team found an offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter to… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Alyxn Bohulano, right, attempts to steal the ball from Thunder Mountain’s Kira Frommherz at JDHS on Friday, March 3, 2018. JDHS won 53-33. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Five Juneau Skating Club members were selected for Team Alaska’s figure skating team for the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Northwest Territories. L to R: Emily Bowman, Kara Hort, Meredith Fritsch, Katherine Fritsch, Haylee Hill. (Courtesy photo | Kim Hort)

Top youth athletes prepare to compete in Arctic Winter Games

Twenty-three Juneau youth will be receiving new winter Team Alaska jackets and hats this weekend. And given where they’re going in two weeks — the… Continue reading

Five Juneau Skating Club members were selected for Team Alaska’s figure skating team for the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Northwest Territories. L to R: Emily Bowman, Kara Hort, Meredith Fritsch, Katherine Fritsch, Haylee Hill. (Courtesy photo | Kim Hort)
Maxie Saceda-Hurt, right, hugs Thunder Mountain High School softball coach Brittany Gladsjo on Sunday at TMHS after signing a national letter of intent to play at Simpson College next season. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Saceda-Hurt signs with Simpson College

Thunder Mountain High School senior Maxie Saceda-Hurt will soon be trading her blue-and-black for maroon-and-yellow. On Sunday, the standout Falcons shortstop signed a national letter… Continue reading

Maxie Saceda-Hurt, right, hugs Thunder Mountain High School softball coach Brittany Gladsjo on Sunday at TMHS after signing a national letter of intent to play at Simpson College next season. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
The sixth-grade travel team from Juneau’s Hoop Rat Basketball Club pose with their first-place medals after defeating Kent Elite 63-50 in the sixth-grade championship game Monday, Feb. 19, in Seattle. L to R: Lamar Blatnick, Lance Nierra, Alwen Carrillo, TJ Guevarra, Ernel Penalosa, Sean Oliver, DeAndrew Pittman, Antone Araujo. Not pictured: Coaches Todd Araujo and Larry Cooper. (Courtesy Photo | Jaeleen Kookesh)

Youth sports teams shine in recent competitions

Griggs qualifies for regionals The Juneau Ski Club’s JoJo Griggs qualified for the U16 Western Region Championship Series after two top-5 finishes in the Super… Continue reading

The sixth-grade travel team from Juneau’s Hoop Rat Basketball Club pose with their first-place medals after defeating Kent Elite 63-50 in the sixth-grade championship game Monday, Feb. 19, in Seattle. L to R: Lamar Blatnick, Lance Nierra, Alwen Carrillo, TJ Guevarra, Ernel Penalosa, Sean Oliver, DeAndrew Pittman, Antone Araujo. Not pictured: Coaches Todd Araujo and Larry Cooper. (Courtesy Photo | Jaeleen Kookesh)
Thunder Mountain’s Roy Tupou dives for a loose ball against Ketchikan at TMHS on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. TMHS lost 57-31 Friday but won 59-54 Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Falcons overcome Kings on senior night

The Thunder Mountain High School student section came out in force to cheer on the boys basketball seniors one last time Saturday night. The seniors… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Roy Tupou dives for a loose ball against Ketchikan at TMHS on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. TMHS lost 57-31 Friday but won 59-54 Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain’s Bryson Echiverri, center, is heavily guarded by Ketchikan’s Kyle Smith, left, Kristian Pihl, background, and Cody Kemble at TMHS on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Ketchikan won 57-31. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain stumbles in home loss to Kings

Basketball is normally a game of momentum. Friday night’s Southeast Conference boys basketball game between Thunder Mountain (12-10, 4-3 SEC) and Ketchikan (12-9, 4-3 SEC)… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Bryson Echiverri, center, is heavily guarded by Ketchikan’s Kyle Smith, left, Kristian Pihl, background, and Cody Kemble at TMHS on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Ketchikan won 57-31. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Floyd Dryden Middle School eighth grader Kadin Messmer, center, shows off his winning 90-pound weight class bracket next to Craig’s Keegan Hanson, left, and Ketchikan’s Brayden Gentry. Messmer pinned Hanson in the finals in just 16 seconds to come out on top. (Courtesy photo | Ken Brown)

Southeast Wrestling Championships return to Juneau

The Floyd Dryden Middle School wrestling team hosted nine other schools from around Southeast Alaska this past weekend for the Southeast Wrestling Tournament. It was… Continue reading

Floyd Dryden Middle School eighth grader Kadin Messmer, center, shows off his winning 90-pound weight class bracket next to Craig’s Keegan Hanson, left, and Ketchikan’s Brayden Gentry. Messmer pinned Hanson in the finals in just 16 seconds to come out on top. (Courtesy photo | Ken Brown)
Juneau-Douglas’ Erik Kelly, left, attempts a steal from Ketchikan’s Cody Kemble at JDHS on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. JDHS won 59-41 on Wednesday but lost 81-69 on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kayhi takes down Crimson Bears on Lee’s historic night

One night after senior Kolby Hoover’s big game, it was teammate Erik Kelly’s turn to dominate against the Ketchikan Kings — pouring in 32 points… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Erik Kelly, left, attempts a steal from Ketchikan’s Cody Kemble at JDHS on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. JDHS won 59-41 on Wednesday but lost 81-69 on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School junior Puna Toutaiolepo.

Player of the week: Puna Toutaiolepo

Puna Toutaiolepo Thunder Mountain High School junior Puna Toutaiolepo is the Juneau Empire’s player of the week. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound forward is averaging 11 points… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School junior Puna Toutaiolepo.
Juneau Ski Club’s JoJo Griggs races in the giant slalom at the Alyeska Cup/Alaska State Championships on Saturday at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. (Bob Eastaugh | Courtesy Photo)

Griggs and Caputo strong at Alyeska Cup

Juneau Ski Club’s JoJo Griggs finished in the top-5 of her age class in four races over the weekend at the Alyeska Cup/Alaska State Championships… Continue reading

Juneau Ski Club’s JoJo Griggs races in the giant slalom at the Alyeska Cup/Alaska State Championships on Saturday at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. (Bob Eastaugh | Courtesy Photo)
Juneau-Douglas’ Kolby Hoover passes over Ketchikan’s ER Caparas at JDHS on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. JDHS won 59-41. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hoover lifts Crimson Bears past Kings

The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team led Ketchikan by nine points at the beginning of the fourth quarter Wednesday night at JDHS. When playing… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Kolby Hoover passes over Ketchikan’s ER Caparas at JDHS on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. JDHS won 59-41. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School senior Erik Kelly goes up for a dunk against Thunder Mountain at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 2. Kelly surpassed 1,000 career points in a JDHS uniform the following night against TMHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Nearing end of time as a Crimson Bear, Kelly checks off 1,000 points

It takes more than being an exceptional high school basketball player to score over 1,000 career points. Longevity playing at the varsity level, qualifying for… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School senior Erik Kelly goes up for a dunk against Thunder Mountain at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 2. Kelly surpassed 1,000 career points in a JDHS uniform the following night against TMHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain’s Bryson Echiverri, left, steals the ball from Mt. Edgecumbe’s Emmett Dunaway at TMHS on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain defense stifles Edgecumbe

On the final possession of the third quarter in Friday night’s nonconference boys basketball game against Mt. Edgecumbe, Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Kamron Falls… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Bryson Echiverri, left, steals the ball from Mt. Edgecumbe’s Emmett Dunaway at TMHS on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Kiana Potter fouls Ketchikan’s Madison Rose at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

JDHS sweeps Lady Kings

Juneau-Douglas High School’s Cassie Dzinich and Sadie Tuckwood combined for 29 points Saturday night in a 50-40 home win over Ketchikan. It was the second… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Kiana Potter fouls Ketchikan’s Madison Rose at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Luke Clark tries to score around Juneau-Douglas High School’s Erik Kelly at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The Falcons, who have played the last 11 games on the road, host Mt. Edgecumbe High School on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Basketball preview: TMHS, JDHS teams look to protect home court

Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball coach John Blasco has been asked the question more than once. Why do you guys play so much better… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School’s Luke Clark tries to score around Juneau-Douglas High School’s Erik Kelly at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The Falcons, who have played the last 11 games on the road, host Mt. Edgecumbe High School on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau to D.C.: Youth swimmer invited to meet celebrating diversity

For the first time in his young swimming career, Adrell Mulgrew-Truitt won’t be competing for the Glacier Swim Club. Rather, the 14-year-old Juneau swimmer will… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Israel Yadao attempts a layup against Dimond’s Isaiah Moses at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Dimond defeated JDHS 57-53 on Friday and 50-49 on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears start slow, fall to Dimond

The Dimond High School boys basketball team jumped out to an early lead and defeated Juneau-Douglas High School (8-11, 1-3 SEC) for the second straight… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Israel Yadao attempts a layup against Dimond’s Isaiah Moses at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Dimond defeated JDHS 57-53 on Friday and 50-49 on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Kolby Hoover drives against Dimond’s Isaiah Moses at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Dimond won 57-53. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Balanced attack leads Dimond past JDHS

Dimond High School sophomore Jaren Carle made a 3-pointer and two clutch free throws in the final minute of Friday night’s nonconference boys basketball game… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Kolby Hoover drives against Dimond’s Isaiah Moses at JDHS on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Dimond won 57-53. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Second-grader Laura Parker, of Riverbend Elementary School, concentrates on her Alaska high kick during the Native Youth Olympics at Riverbend Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Young athletes show off strength at Native Olympics

With dozens of their peers huddled closely around them, Mendenhall River Community School fifth-grade students Maxie Lehauli and Jaiden Miller sat facing one another on… Continue reading

Second-grader Laura Parker, of Riverbend Elementary School, concentrates on her Alaska high kick during the Native Youth Olympics at Riverbend Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Greyson Liebelt, left, and Dalton Hoy of Juneau-Douglas defend Hayden Fox of South Anchorage during first-period action at the First National Cup state hockey tournament on February 10, 2018, in Wasilla. South Anchorage claimed a 4-1 lead after one period. (Erik Hill | For the Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears fall to South Anchorage after historic tournament win

The Juneau-Douglas High School hockey team made history Friday afternoon with its first state tournament win in program history. The Crimson Bears defeated the Service… Continue reading

Greyson Liebelt, left, and Dalton Hoy of Juneau-Douglas defend Hayden Fox of South Anchorage during first-period action at the First National Cup state hockey tournament on February 10, 2018, in Wasilla. South Anchorage claimed a 4-1 lead after one period. (Erik Hill | For the Juneau Empire)