The Ketchikan JV and C team players have watched senior Jake Smith practice enough times to know when he’s hot.
After making his fifth 3-pointer of the game late in the third quarter, concentrated cheers sounded behind the visitor’s bench where the players cheered on their schoolmates.
Smith finished with 32 points, but it was Ketchikan’s team play that hurt the Crimson Bears the most in Friday night’s 66-47 loss.
“We love to pass the ball. That’s the one thing I love about this team, we pass the ball real well and we believe in each other,” said Ketchikan guard Marcus Lee, who chipped in 17 points.
The Kings regularly passed the ball over 15 times before even attempting a shot. Guards Lee, Smith, and Brent Taylor whistled the ball around on the perimeter as forwards Shakim Bauer and Chris Lee got open in the paint — only to pass the ball around some more.
“I would argue that Chris, Marcus, and Jake are the ones with the highest numbers and the best statistics,” Ketchikan coach Eric Stockhausen said. “But I think our heart and soul is really Shakim Bauer and Brent Taylor. … [Bauer] doesn’t care if he ever shoots in his career, he just wants to do his job as best as possible. In 26 years of coaching, I’ve not seen a leader like him that when he speaks, there are no fingers pointed back at himself, he’s always going as hard he can, he’s always unselfish, and he’s just phenomenal.”
JDHS’ Erik Kelly had 10 points but was swarmed with defenders like Bauer whenever he received the ball. Bryce Swofford scored 9 points through three quarters but went scoreless in the fourth as Kayhi ran away with the game.
Up six points after the first quarter, the Kings stretched their lead to 12 points at halftime.
Kayhi made several uncharacteristic turnovers in the third — breathing new life into the Crimson Bears then-sputtering offense. Bryce Swofford made two field goals and JDHS shot 8-10 from the free-throw line in the quarter, setting itself up for a possible fourth-quarter comeback.
Kelly made two more free throws to open scoring in the fourth, cutting the deficit to seven points before Ketchikan responded with a quick 8-0 run. After outscoring Ketchikan in the third quarter, the Kings doubled up JDHS in the fourth quarter with a 19-9 scoring advantage.
“We made some changes and things we’re looking pretty good in practice against our own squad of guys,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “But we can’t really replicate their speed and quickness, their ability to shoot it. So in a sense it might have been some fool’s good coming in and what we were trying to do.”
Casperson will sit out Saturday’s contest with Kayhi after receiving two technical fouls for his sideline antics. The JDHS bench boss was visibly frustrated with the officiating throughout the game.
Girls basketball triumphant
The JDHS girls defeated Ketchikan 56-39 and with a win Saturday can sweep the season series with the Kings. Kendyl Carson was held to six points, but Caitlin Pusich and Cassie Dzinich made up for the star freshmen’s quiet night with 27 combined points.
TMHS falls to Sitka
After scoring 72 points last Friday, the TMHS boys Falcons registered less than 50 points against Sitka Friday, losing 52-47. Oliver Moore-Baker scored 13 points for Sitka, Marjo Vidad 12, and Jesse Lantiegne 10.
Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com
Juneau-Douglas’ Kasey Watts, right, drives against Ketchkan’s Jake Smith at JDHS on Friday. Ketchikan won 66-47. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ketchkan’s Brent Taylor hussles to tip the ball away from Juneau-Douglas’ Erik Kelly at JDHS on Friday. Ketchikan won 66-47. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School junior Cassie Dzinich (21) dribbles the ball around Ketchikan High School senior Kyra Welker (44) on Friday during the Crimson Bears’ 56-39 win against the Lady Kings. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)
