In the first round of the state tournament last season, the Juneau-Douglas High School girls basketball team led Alaska prep basketball powerhouse Dimond 26-22 at the half.
With a short bench, the Crimson Bears’ energy began to fizzle in the second half, and Dimond pulled away in the fourth quarter to win by nine points.
The Crimson Bears bench wasn’t deep enough to overcome Dimond last year. This year, they’ll have to get used to playing with that short bench. The departures of one freshman, one sophomore and three seniors means this year’s team will be the same size as it was for the final two weeks of last season after two late-season departures.
Granted, most teams they’ll be facing this year are not of Dimond’s caliber. And while Region V conference foes Thunder Mountain and Ketchikan may not be the Lady Lynx — they won’t be too far off, either.
“Anything could happen, and that makes it exciting,” JDHS head coach Lesslie Knight said of the conference. “You’ve got some experience out at Thunder Mountain with the Fenumiais and (Kyra) Jenkins (Hayes) and (Cyrene) Uddipa. And then you’ve got some fairly experienced players down in Ketchikan.”
How far the team will go this season depends on the conditioning and meshing of a small but skillful group. Knight’s team of nine is down two players from last season. That’s five players fewer than the JDHS boys are suiting up and likely less than most teams they’ll face this year.
Knight will have each of her players playing tough defense when they are out on the court. Look for the Crimson Bears’ four point guards — Alyxn Bohulano, Sadie Tuckwood, Janae Pusich and Kiana Potter — to give opposing guards plenty of pressure.
“I think our kids do some really good things defensively and are fundamentally sound and that goes a long way,” Knight said.
“We have some young, scrappy players, obviously with Sadie — her endurance, her ability to run and run and run — we’re going to use that as well as Kiana Potter to help Alyxn in really harassing the ball and give her some breaks,” she added.
Scrappy play can generate steals, but it can also generate fouls. Bohulano has learned how to be aggressive on defense without fouling.
“Just keep your hands out, not really reaching in (to steal the ball),” Bohulano said.
Bohulano will carry some of the scoring load, but the heavy lifting will be designated to Cassie Dzinich and Caitlin Pusich.
With length and a quick release at the shooting guard position, Pusich is a threat to score from almost anywhere on the court.
The junior seemed to play her best last season alongside Kendyl Carson. She’ll have to figure out a way to make it work without Carson, who’s playing basketball in Vancouver, Washington now.
Knight said Pusich has become more comfortable in the offseason putting the ball on the floor rather than settling for a 3-pointer or long 2-pointer.
“She’s a really good free throw shooter so if you can get her to get in there and initiate the contact, as opposed to fade away or avoid (the contact), she’s going to score a lot from the free-throw line.”
Fast Facts
Last season record: 20-9
Last season finish: Seventh at state
State championships: 1983, 1996, 2005, 2010
Roster
Cassie Dzinich (Sr.)
Caitlin Pusich (Jr.)
Alyxn Bohulano (Jr.)
Morgan Balovich (Jr.)
Skylar Hickok (Jr.)
Chloe McAdams (So.)
Sadie Tuckwood (So.)
Janae Pusich (Fr.)
Kiana Potter (Fr.)
Coach Bio
Lesslie Knight (15th year)
Assistant coaches: Steve Potter, Olivia Henderson
Occupation: JDHS business teacher
Playing experience: JDHS (1980-1981, 1982-83), Irmo High School (1981-1982), Willamette University (1983-1987)
Greatest coaching influences: Peg Gywther, Jim Hamey
2017-2018 Schedule
12/20-12/23 Tarkanian Classic (Las Vegas)
12/27 East (CCC), 5 p.m.
12/28 Sutherlin (CCC), 5 p.m.
12/30 Chugiak (CCC), 5 p.m.
1/5 TMHS,* 5 p.m.
1/6 TMHS,* 5 p.m.
1/12 at Ketchikan*
1/13 at Ketchikan*
1/19 Bethel, 5 p.m.
1/20 Bethel, 5 p.m.
1/25-1/27 Whaler Invitational (Barrow)
2/2 West Anchorage, 6 p.m.
2/3 West Anchorage, 6 p.m.
2/9 at Sitka
2/10 at Sitka
2/16 Ketchikan,* 8 p.m.
2/17 Ketchikan,* 8 p.m.
2/23 at Soldotna
2/24 at Kenai
3/3 TMHS,* 7 p.m.
3/4 TMHS,* 7 p.m.
3/6-3/10 Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Championships (Ketchikan)
3/22-3/24 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska State Basketball Championships (Anchorage)
*Conference game
Home games bolded
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
