The Thunder Mountain High School girls were bested by a tough Ketchikan High School girls team on Friday and Saturday.
The Falcons lost 45-23 on Saturday and 46-27 on Friday at home.
“Ketchikan is one of the top three teams in the state, and I’ll think they’ll prove that at state,” said TMHS coach Andy Lee, who added Thunder Mountain’s season isn’t done yet, and with the Region V Tournament ahead, it’s the team’s job to make a potential state berth difficult for the Kayhi girls to obtain.
“We’re not ready to turn the page,” Lee said. “We’re still trying to figure out how to be successful at regions.”
Ketchikan’s Paige Boehlert (3) and Thunder Mountain’s Keidre Hartman (24) and Kerra Baxter (22) pursue the ball during Saturday’s game at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Following the wins, Ketchikan’s record improved to 8-0 within the Southeast Conference and 20-2 overall. Thunder Mountain’s record is now 0-6 in conference and 7-14 overall.
Saturday was senior night for TMHS. Members of the pep band and cheerleading team were also recognized.
Lee spoke highly of girls basketball team seniors Grace Sikes, Sydney Strong, Jo Pasion, Olissa Oliver and Jorda Basiliso. He said their leadership on and off the court has been an asset for TMHS.
“It was great to see all five of the seniors on the floor together,” Lee said. “They’ve contributed at every level this year.”
Up next, Thunder Mountain will wrap up its regular season on Friday and Saturday with a pair of games against Juneau-Douglas: Yadaa.at Kalé at JDHS. Those games will be followed by games between the JDHS and TMHS boys.
Following this week’s games, the Thunder Mountain and Juneau-Douglas girls will square off again in the first round of the Region V Tournament.
“It’s not a perfect schedule by any means,” Lee said, but he added the team is excited for the weekend games. “We hope to leave this weekend with enough momentum to be successful at regions.”
• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.
