Sports

2022 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate Brooke Sanford (5) reacts with teammates during a Regis University Rangers home volleyball match this season in Denver, Colorado. (Regis photo courtesy Makayla Salter)

Former JDHS volleyball star Brooke Sanford discusses college adjustments

Local 2022 graduate takes game to higher court while pursuing education degree in Colorado.

2022 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate Brooke Sanford (5) reacts with teammates during a Regis University Rangers home volleyball match this season in Denver, Colorado. (Regis photo courtesy Makayla Salter)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey players and Bartlett High School hockey players work for a puck during the Crimson Bears 10-6 win over the Golden Bears Saturday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

ASAA concerned incident in JDHS hockey game not reported

Visiting Bartlett High School player had to be restrained and escorted from ice.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey players and Bartlett High School hockey players work for a puck during the Crimson Bears 10-6 win over the Golden Bears Saturday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Resolution or resolute

Ahem, a report from my daily morning constitutional, Jan. 1, 2025. There is a lot of weight in a resolution. If publicly announced, you have… Continue reading

The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)
Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Licorice ferns

The understory of our forests is graced with lots of ferns in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ferns (along with trees and wildflowers) are… Continue reading

Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kings fire long-range shots at Crimson Bears, get 70-63 win to sweep two-game series

First time Kayhi has won back-to-back games at Juneau in over a decade.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears sweep Golden Bears in second high-scoring shootout

JDHS stops Bartlett again on Treadwell Ice Arena for 10-6 win.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS dance team are top entertainers and athletes

Fans become unglued from seats through every halftime performance.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kings escape Crimson Bears den

Ketchikan wins Southeast Conference opener 52-48.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears ice Golden Bears

JDHS wins 7-5 scoring shootout against Bartlett.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé alumni hockey players pose on the Treadwell Ice Arena sheet on Dec. 26. (Photo courtesy JDHS hockey)

Alumni hockey players gather on the ice

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé alumni hockey players gathered on the Treadwell Ice Arena sheet for a mini tournament Dec. 26. The Crimson Bears alum… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé alumni hockey players pose on the Treadwell Ice Arena sheet on Dec. 26. (Photo courtesy JDHS hockey)
Elementary Division action at the 32nd Annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Dimond Park Field House. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

New Year’s Eve champions crowned at Holiday Cup

Nutmeggers, Tinsel Toes, Jingle Ballers, Iced Out, Chilkat Bandits, and Eggnog & Nutmegs win.

Elementary Division action at the 32nd Annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Dimond Park Field House. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Basketball Cheer Team. Back Row (left-right) are Sophia Percy, Stefano Rivera, Marlee Gines, Mati Iona, Hadley Bex, Alexa Scarano and Renz Hill. Front row (left to right) are Audrey Yu, Karina San Miguel, Aidan Lazo, Mia Brown Cortez, Megan Pierce, Ayla Keller and Gabby Ely. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Cheerleaders look to continue state dominance

2025 could be another season of the bear — the Crimson Bears.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Basketball Cheer Team. Back Row (left-right) are Sophia Percy, Stefano Rivera, Marlee Gines, Mati Iona, Hadley Bex, Alexa Scarano and Renz Hill. Front row (left to right) are Audrey Yu, Karina San Miguel, Aidan Lazo, Mia Brown Cortez, Megan Pierce, Ayla Keller and Gabby Ely. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The author’s wife grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts where she had more classmates go to Harvard than the author had classmates total. But that doesn’t mean her upbringing was better. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Different, not better or worse

A seven-foot minuteman stands on a rock base where Massachusetts Avenue splits at the end of Lexington’s main drag. He was unveiled in 1900 to… Continue reading

The author’s wife grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts where she had more classmates go to Harvard than the author had classmates total. But that doesn’t mean her upbringing was better. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Holiday Cup finals on Tuesday

The 32nd annual Holiday Cup soccer tournament will feature their six divisional championship matches Tuesday at the Dimond Park Field House. The annual gathering of… Continue reading

Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich (11) shoots from past the arch against Chugiak during the Crimson Bears 51-38 win over the Mustangs in the girls championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls win big over Chugiak for Capital City Classic championship

Crimson Bears’ 51-38 victory over Mustangs caps undefeated tournament on home court.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich (11) shoots from past the arch against Chugiak during the Crimson Bears 51-38 win over the Mustangs in the girls championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Horned grebes in winter plumage float on the tide. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Sea lions, horned grebes, and brown creepers

I often walk out to Pt. Louisa for the great vistas and a good chance of seeing some wildlife. Sometimes, of course, there are no… Continue reading

Horned grebes in winter plumage float on the tide. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) shoots a three-pointer as Federal Way seniors Jacob Hurskin (10), Saxon Niles (15) Geron White (1) and Angelo Williams (2) defend during the Crimson Bears 61-48 loss to the Eagles in the boys championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Federal Way boys stretch past JDHS in Capital City Classic title game

Eagles’ height and length result in 61-48 win over Crimson Bears in finale of three-day Juneau tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) shoots a three-pointer as Federal Way seniors Jacob Hurskin (10), Saxon Niles (15) Geron White (1) and Angelo Williams (2) defend during the Crimson Bears 61-48 loss to the Eagles in the boys championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna senior Easton Hawkins spins away from Cordova senior Thomas Nothstine during the Stars 56-52 overtime win over the Wolverines during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 3: Soldotna topples Cordova in overtime

Stars shine in second overtime game in two days.

Soldotna senior Easton Hawkins spins away from Cordova senior Thomas Nothstine during the Stars 56-52 overtime win over the Wolverines during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kenai junior Ellsi Miller (33) attempts a shot against Klawock seniors Kaiya Marvin (12) and Lea Armour in the Cardinals 45-27 win over the Chieftains during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 3: Kenai girls defeat Klawock for third place

Kenai and Klawock were looking for their first win in the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday and the Cardinals got their wish 45-27… Continue reading

Kenai junior Ellsi Miller (33) attempts a shot against Klawock seniors Kaiya Marvin (12) and Lea Armour in the Cardinals 45-27 win over the Chieftains during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheer squad leads the Crimson Bears boys onto the floor before their game against Soldotna during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys battle in extra time with Soldotna

Crimson Bears fall 62-60 to Stars in last-second overtime “Classic”

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheer squad leads the Crimson Bears boys onto the floor before their game against Soldotna during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)