Ketchikan High School’s Marcus Stockhausen takes the ball in for a layup against Thunder Mountain for their final match up in this year’s 4A Region V tournament. Ketchikan advances to play JDHS Friday night for the championship game. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Ketchikan High School’s Marcus Stockhausen takes the ball in for a layup against Thunder Mountain for their final match up in this year’s 4A Region V tournament. Ketchikan advances to play JDHS Friday night for the championship game. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

TMHS ends season with loss to Ketchikan

The Kings play JDHS Friday at 8:15 p.m.

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Region V tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship, this article —and all 2023 Region V coverage — is available online without a subscription to the Empire.

It was a bittersweet ending to the Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball season, as the Falcons were eliminated from the Region V 4A Regions Tournament against Ketchikan on Friday for a 55-50 finish.

While Ketchikan held the lead for much of the game, the Falcons managed to keep the score close all the way down to the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but the Kings refused to let go, securing their spot in the championship game later Friday evening against the top seeded Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé at 8:15 p.m.

Ketchikan coach Eric Stockhausen said while he’s proud of his team, much credit is due to TMHS for their determination.

“I think the ending just showed the passion that is evident in our conference,” Stockhausen said. “We had Thunder Mountain down by 15 and they could have given up, but they never did. Just seeing the emotions on the line, we just have a lot of respect for Thunder Mountain, coach Blasco and all of those kids, especially the seniors. We hit free throws when we needed to, we made it a little more interesting but credit to Thunder Mountain for fighting to the end and luckily we made a play or two at the end that helped us close it out.”

For Ketchikan, JJ Parker led in scores with 26 points and Marcus Stockhausen put up 14 points. For TMHS Thomas Baxter had a total of 18 points with MJ Tupou coming in with 16.

TMHS coach John Blasco said that even though it wasn’t the ending the Falcons had hoped for, he’s proud of the “heart” and effort that everyone showed during the game and the entire season.

“We would have loved to have cut down the nets for the first time on our home floor, but we got beat and that’s just the way it goes sometimes,” Blasco said. “We want to make sure we say thank you to MJ Tupou for the season he gave us and the leadership as a senior, we’re definitely going to miss him. Caden Mercer, Sam Sika, great kids, really appreciate having them as a part of the program. We didn’t quit, which is something I’m mostly thankful for, just how much heart they showed.”

• Contact reporter Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.

More in Sports

Public lands are a unique privilege that Americans should relish and protect. (Photo courtesy Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: The comment section: Where discourse goes to die

Someone always takes it upon themselves to filter a post, headline, story or ideas through their political view and come up with a divisive hot take.

2024 Olympic wrestling gold medalist Amit Elor, 21, right, demonstrates a counter tie on Wasilla High School junior Taryn Wright, 16, during the Juneau Girls Wrestling Clinic on Tuesday at the Juneau Wrestling Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Alaska wrestlers take on Olympic and world champion at Juneau camp

Gold medalist Amit Elor shows girls path to success

The dainty little flowers of sheep sorrel are either male or female, but not both. (Photo courtesy Mary F. Willson)
On the Trails: Butterworts, leaf rollers, and invasive flowers

On a bright, sunny day in mid-June, a friend and I strolled… Continue reading

The juniors start at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Zuber, Flagstad capture junior Mount Marathon races

Kenai’s Boonstra takes 2nd in junior girls race

Anchorage's Klaire Rhodes, 27, wins the women's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Rhodes defends women’s Mount Marathon crown

With Seward stuffed with people for 97th running of the Mount Marathon… Continue reading

David Norris, 34, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, wins the men's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Norris goes 6 for 6 in Mount Marathon men’s race; Moore’s streak ends at 54 races

One streak lived while another streak ended during a brilliantly sunny men’s… Continue reading

Swimmers race in Saturday’s Open Water Swim Series on Auke Lake. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Open Water Swim gives swimmers strokes

Theme of no lines, no lanes, no limits inspires

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 third baseman Madden Mendoza tags out Palmer Post 15 base runner Reed Craner (2) during Juneau’s 7-6 win over Palmer in American Legion Baseball action Sunday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Legion baseball team sweeps Palmer

Ludeman hits walk-off, Auke Bay Post 25 defeats Palmer Post 15

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 batter Noah Lewis is hit by a pitch during American Legion action against South Post 4 earlier this season. Juneau will play a home series against Palmer Post 15 Saturday through Monday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Auke Bay Post 25 splits games in Anchorage

Juneau’s American Legion team will host Palmer this weekend

Most Read