Three Juneau basketball players earned all-state honors.
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kendyl Carson, Thunder Mountain High School’s Bryson Echiverri and JDHS’ Cooper Kriegmont all made the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches All-State Team for the 2019-2020 season.
“I feel that it’s a good decision. I can’t imagine an all-state team this year that she wouldn’t be on,” said the JDHS girls basketball coach Steve Potter in a phone interview, referencing Carson and her iron-nerved determination. “It’s the result of working really hard at basketball for a long time. She’s certainly been striving to achieve in basketball for as long as I’ve known her.”
Carson was selected for the 4A girls first team; Echeverri and Kriegmont are both on the 4A boys third team.
“He’s a talented player, both offensively and defensively. I’m glad to see he got recognition from the state for his talent,” said Thunder Mountain High School boys coach John Blasco in a phone interview, speaking of Echiverri. “I’m happy for Cooper (Kriegmont) too. He was definitely a tough opponent, and he will be next year. It really shows the strength of our region.”
[Region V 4A championship comes down to crosstown rivals]
JDHS boys coach Rob Casperson credited Kriegmont’s determination and off-season work preparing for his successes this season.
“I’m really happy for him. It’s great to be named as one of the top 15 players in the 4A level as a junior. I think it’s a pretty special honor,” Casperson said in a phone interview. “He spent a lot of extra time, he set some goals to change his body, and he was able to do that. That allowed him to handle the demands throughout the season. He came back lean and trim and ready to go.”
All of the coaches expressed disappointment at the abrupt termination of the post-season before TMHS boys and JDHS girls had a chance to compete for a state championship.
“It’s disappointing,” Potter said. “I think we were the only 4A girls team and Thunder Mountain was the only 4A boys team that qualified.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
Kendyl Carson hoists a shot during a win against Ketchikan during the Region V Basketball Tournament. She was one of three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)
Cooper Kriegmont works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Dec. 10, 2019. Kriegmont was one of three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)