High School Sports

A basketball sits ready for play at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 7, 2021. Starting this week, Juneau’s high school basketball and hockey players may participate in enhanced COVID-19 screenings rather than wear a mask while playing. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Prep sports teams breathe easier

New testing options let players drop masks.

A basketball sits ready for play at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 7, 2021. Starting this week, Juneau’s high school basketball and hockey players may participate in enhanced COVID-19 screenings rather than wear a mask while playing. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Kai Hargrave collects his plaque from softball coach Lexie Razor after being named the boy's free-throw champ at the Princess Tours Capital City Classic on Dec. 30. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Another ‘Classic’ is in the books

JDHS girls win, local players earn tournament honors

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Kai Hargrave collects his plaque from softball coach Lexie Razor after being named the boy's free-throw champ at the Princess Tours Capital City Classic on Dec. 30. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls basketball team starting season swinging

A junior- and senior-heavy roster make for a formidable team.

Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys basketball gets ready to hit the road

Their first games this year will be away —way, way away.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS readies for season tipoff

The Falcons’ basketball season is ready to take flight.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School hockey team was in Palmer on Nov. 13, 2021, for a series of games in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Coach Luke Adams told the Empire he was confident in his team who were eager for the season ahead. (Courtesy photo / Judy Campbell)

On the road again, JDHS hockey excited for season

Stiff competition.

The Juneau Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School hockey team was in Palmer on Nov. 13, 2021, for a series of games in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Coach Luke Adams told the Empire he was confident in his team who were eager for the season ahead. (Courtesy photo / Judy Campbell)
Thunder Mountain High School girls volleyball players Molly Brocious, center, #10, and Sydney Strong, left, #11, face off against Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Ashley Laudert, #18, during the Region Five tournament in Ketchikan over the weekend. (Mackenzie Pahang / Kayhi Current)

Thunder Mountain girls volleyball heads to state championship

Proud and pleased.

Thunder Mountain High School girls volleyball players Molly Brocious, center, #10, and Sydney Strong, left, #11, face off against Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Ashley Laudert, #18, during the Region Five tournament in Ketchikan over the weekend. (Mackenzie Pahang / Kayhi Current)
Juneau’s unified football cheerleaders supported the football team Friday night in Anchorage and picked up a slew of awards, including “Grand Master Champs” at Saturday's "Rally in the Valley" cheer competition at Colony High School in Palmer. (Courtesy photo/Carlene Nore)

Juneau’s cheerleaders bring home a W

Team earns top honors at the Rally in the Valley

Juneau’s unified football cheerleaders supported the football team Friday night in Anchorage and picked up a slew of awards, including “Grand Master Champs” at Saturday's "Rally in the Valley" cheer competition at Colony High School in Palmer. (Courtesy photo/Carlene Nore)
James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)

Juneau’s title chase comes to an end against East Anchorage

The Juneau Huskies finished their 2021 season as runner-ups for the state’s Division I title.

James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)
Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Empire Live: Huskies play hard, fall short of title

Thunderbirds win the state championship 30-17.

Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies are heading to state

Huskies dominate in home win.

Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle Roman Smith. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies win at home behind big second half

Bartlett comes to town next week.

Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle Roman Smith. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Photos: The Juneau Huskies’ season from practice to playoffs

The season continues at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Brandon Campbell chases down a Dimond ball carrier during an Aug. 21 game. The Juneau Huskies and Dimond Lynx will face off again on Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies ready for a home playoff game

Kickoff is at 3 p.m.

Brandon Campbell chases down a Dimond ball carrier during an Aug. 21 game. The Juneau Huskies and Dimond Lynx will face off again on Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
James Connally, a senior, makes his way toward the end zone to open the scoring for the Juneau Huskies. Connally also caught a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

7 points: The Huskies are conference champs

Takeways from the Week 7 win and a look ahead to the playoffs.

James Connally, a senior, makes his way toward the end zone to open the scoring for the Juneau Huskies. Connally also caught a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Lucas White (21) and two other Huskies take down a player from Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said solid tackling by White and others played a major role in the Huskie's 27-14 win against Bartlett High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

7 points: Huskies make it 3 in a row

Next game is senior night.

Lucas White (21) and two other Huskies take down a player from Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said solid tackling by White and others played a major role in the Huskie's 27-14 win against Bartlett High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Payton Grant, left, plays football against East Anchorage High School on Sept. 4, 2021. Grant scored in last week’s away game against Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

7 points: Juneau football brings the heat to Service in away game

It’s Juneau’s first road win for the season.

Payton Grant, left, plays football against East Anchorage High School on Sept. 4, 2021. Grant scored in last week’s away game against Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau's Wallace Adams, a senior, trudges forward while draped in East Anchorage defenders. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

7 points: Huskies outlast East Anchorage

Takeaways from Saturday’s game and a look ahead.

Juneau's Wallace Adams, a senior, trudges forward while draped in East Anchorage defenders. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Huskies practice on Aug. 10. The high school football team's record stands at 2-1 following a loss to West Anchorage over the weekend. On Saturday, Juneau will host East Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

7 points: Despite good first half, West Anchorage takes Huskies down

Juneau turns in a solid performance on an away game.

The Juneau Huskies practice on Aug. 10. The high school football team's record stands at 2-1 following a loss to West Anchorage over the weekend. On Saturday, Juneau will host East Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jamal Johnson fights for extra yards during Juneau's 35-6 win against Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

7 points: Juneau jumps out to 2-0 record

Juneau, 2-0.

Jamal Johnson fights for extra yards during Juneau's 35-6 win against Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)