A new season comes with a familiar set of circumstances for the Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball team.
Last season, the TMHS girls had both an especially tough schedule and exceptionally young roster. This season, thanks to a talented crop of freshman players and games against the likes of Wasilla, Colony, Kodiak and Palmer as well as tough in-conference competition from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Ketchikan High School, coach Andy Lee said both things are still true.
“There are no soft spots in our schedule, but we’re up to it,” Lee said during an interview at a recent preseason practice. “We’re at the point where we’re dangerous enough to beat everyone on our schedule and inexperienced enough to lose to everyone on our schedule.”
Lee said a “fabulous” summer that included a basketball camp in Spokane, Washington, and 15-20 games worth of experience has led to growth and improvement. That offseason seasoning could lead to an improvement on last season’s 7-18 (0-10, in conference) record.
While Lee said freshmen players will “make an impact at every level,” he identified several returning players he expects to help lead the way for Thunder Mountain High School.
Lee said he expects big things from Kiara Kookesh, one of the team’s few seniors and a tenacious defender. He highlighted in particular her efforts last year against girls basketball powerhouse Sierra Canyon School as evidence of what she can do in the face of outstanding competition.
“She’s a player we have high hopes for,” Lee said.
Other players Lee said he expects to be major contributors include juniors Jaya and Mika Carandang, who Lee said went through fire last year and have come out better for it; juniors Ashlyn Gates and Jenna Dobson, TMHS volleyball standouts Lee said will contribute strong play; and sophomores Kerra and Cailynn Baxter, who give TMHS a dual injection of height and athleticism.
The season is scheduled to start Friday with tournament play in Sitka. Later this month TMHS will play in the Ocean View Invitational in Huntington Beach, California. The first home game is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 6, when Kayhi comes to town. The varsity game is set to tip off at 7:15 p.m.
“We’re excited,” Lee said.
TMHS girls basketball varsity home schedule
Weather and other factors mean schedules are subject to change. Changes will be reflected on the Thunder Mountain High School calendar, at https://tmhs.juneauschools.org/en-US/calendar.
— Friday, Jan. 6: Ketchikan.
— Saturday, Jan. 7: Ketchikan.
— Friday, Jan. 20: Palmer.
— Saturday, Jan. 21: Palmer.
— Friday, Jan. 27: Wasilla.
—Saturday, Jan. 28: Wasilla.
— Thursday, Feb. 9: Mount Edgecumbe.
— Tuesday, Feb. 21: Juneau-Douglas.
— Tuesday, Feb. 28: Juneau-Douglas.
• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Kiara Kookesh goes up for a layup while her teammate Addison Wilson looks on. Kookesh, a senior, will be a key contributor for the TMHS girls basketball team this year. Coach Andy Lee spoke highly of her defensive prowess in the face of tough assignments.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Jaya Carandang looks to pass during a half-court offense drill at TMHS. Coach Andy Lee said after a “fabulous summer” that included 15-20 games, members of the TMHS basketball team picked up needed in-game experience and are ready to take on a “very tough” schedule.