The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship, this article —and all of this year’s Gold Medal coverage — is available online without a subscription to the Empire.
This article has been updated to correct the name of a misidentified player.
Juneau’s Gold Medal Tournament Masters Bracket basketball team started and stayed on top against Angoon to secure its first win of the 74th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, which kicked off on Sunday.
Juneau kept a steady but tight lead the entire game and managed to best Angoon 64-47 with Juneau’s Steve Olmstead leading the team with 18 points throughout the game.
Players of Juneau and Angoon’s Gold Medal Tournament Masters Bracket basketball team’s search for the ball above them after a failed three-point attempt Sunday afternoon a part 74th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Angoon managed to hold its ground and remained close behind in points running into the second half before Juneau kicked into gear in the third and secured the win generously in the fourth. Travis See was a major contributor to Angoon’s score, pouring in 17 points total throughout the game, followed by David Johnson with 10.
Kevin Casperson, Juneau’s coach, said he’s happy with the outcome of the game and said he thinks the team played and shared the ball well.
“They did a really nice job, they didn’t let Angoon get going — I’m happy with the outcome,” he said. “We’re excited to play tomorrow at 10 a.m.”
Paul Johnson, coach/player for Angoon, said it was great to be back playing together again, and despite the outcome, he’s excited for the fun to come for the rest of the tournament.
“It’s just great to be back,” he said. “We haven’t played together in a while, and you know, these games are about coming together, supporting each other’s communities, and it’s just good fun.”
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.
