Two conference basketball clashes and local 3A/4A games highlight this weekend’s high school sports matchups.
Local hoops fans will have to decide between a girls basketball crosstown showdown at Juneau-Douglas High School and boys games between Thunder Mountain High School and visiting Mount Edgecumbe.
The Crimson Bears girls (7-1) host the Falcons (2-10) at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at JDHS. The Falcons boys host the Braves for games, also at 7, on both nights.
In away games, the Crimson Bears boys travel to Ketchikan for the first of two weekend series with the Kings.
Crosstown showdown for girls basketball
The Juneau-Douglas girls team heads into this weekend validated after going 2-1 in a Palmer tournament last weekend. They’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak in conference play (2-0 so far) against a Thunder Mountain team currently on a four-game losing skid.
JDHS could take resounding control of the conference with two wins this weekend. A pair of victories for Thunder Mountain could turn their season around.
TMHS boys host Edgecumbe
The Thunder Mountain boys team will host the Mount Edgecumbe Braves this weekend for a pair of 3A/4A crossover games. The Falcons (6-5) head into the weekend on a two-game win streak, but stand at the bottom of a strong Region V table.
Two wins for the Falcons would bolster their confidence heading into a pair of crucial conference games at JDHS next weekend. The Braves (3-5) are two games back in the Region V 3A standings. A pair of wins this weekend would help them close the gap on rivals Sitka High School.
JDHS boys at Kayhi
Last year’s best two teams in the state face off for the first time this year in two of their four conference matchups. The winner of this weekend’s games, at Kayhi Friday and Saturday, will establish an early dominance over the Region V picture.
Rolling on a four-game win streak, Ketchikan (10-3) recently bolted into the Alaska Association of Basketball coaches top five poll this week, taking the No. 5 spot from defending champions JDHS.
The Crimson Bears boys head into the weekend off a marathon two weeks in Anchorage. JDHS (8-3) has played seven games in two weeks up north to the tune of four wins and three losses.
Both of the JDHS and Kayhi games will be streamed live with a link available at the Ketchikan High School website. Freelance writer Larry Johansen will be providing coverage and photos of the games for the Juneau Empire.
