Basketball

The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons girls basketball team comes onto the floor Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Falcons girls soar over North Pole in final home court game at Thunder Mountain High School

Team at top of conference entering playoffs for last time, as merger with JDHS set for next year.

The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons girls basketball team comes onto the floor Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Thomas Baxter and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Alwen Carrillo embrace at their end of Saturday’s game at JDHS that may have been the final local game between the two schools due to a consolidation of them tentatively approved by the school board starting next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

In Juneau’s potentially final crosstown basketball showdown, both schools win

TMHS girls and JDHS boys prevail on night filled with dual-school spirit as consolidation looms.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Thomas Baxter and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Alwen Carrillo embrace at their end of Saturday’s game at JDHS that may have been the final local game between the two schools due to a consolidation of them tentatively approved by the school board starting next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School seniors for the boys’ basketball team, their families and other supporters fill the Thunderdome for a Senior Night recognition before Friday’s game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. It was possibly the final home game for the Falcons team due to a pending decision to put all high school students at JDHS starting with the next school year. The Falcons girls’ team will play their final home games of the season — and possibly ever — next Friday and Saturday against North Pole High School. (Screenshot from NFHS Network)

TMHS boys prevail in possibly their final home game ever against JDHS, with merger of schools pending

Girls play final home games next weekend; both local schools play each other again tonight at JDHS.

Thunder Mountain High School seniors for the boys’ basketball team, their families and other supporters fill the Thunderdome for a Senior Night recognition before Friday’s game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. It was possibly the final home game for the Falcons team due to a pending decision to put all high school students at JDHS starting with the next school year. The Falcons girls’ team will play their final home games of the season — and possibly ever — next Friday and Saturday against North Pole High School. (Screenshot from NFHS Network)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter (#22) tries to penetrate Colony High School’s defense during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

No. 4 TMHS girls, hit by injuries and illness, can’t keep up with No. 2 Colony

Falcons recover from 71-31 rout Friday, keep Saturday’s game even until fourth quarter in 57-48 loss.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter (#22) tries to penetrate Colony High School’s defense during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Brenda William-See attempts a fast-break layup for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Thursday’s game against Colony High School at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls take early lead, but lose at home to No. 2 Colony 73-20

No. 4 THMS plays visting Knights at home Friday and Saturday.

Brenda William-See attempts a fast-break layup for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Thursday’s game against Colony High School at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Samuel Lockhart (#14) of Thunder Mountain High School tries to get past Sean Oliver of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Wednesday night’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS, JDHS boys’ basketball teams get dominant victories on each other’s courts

Crimson Bears win 64-45 on Tuesday, Falcons rebound to prevail 56-35 on Wednesday.

Samuel Lockhart (#14) of Thunder Mountain High School tries to get past Sean Oliver of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Wednesday night’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Mila Hargrave (24) shoots under pressure from Thunder Mountain High School senior Ashlyn Gates (2) as JDHS sophomore Gwen Nizich (15) blocks out TMHS junior Cailynn Baxter (23) during the Crimson Bears 42-28 loss to the Falcons on Feb. 3 at the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams split games during the weekend. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire file photo)

THMS girls basketball rank fourth, boys fifth in first ASR/Class 4A Coaches Poll

Falcons only team ranked in both polls; both JDHS teams among those “also receiving votes.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Mila Hargrave (24) shoots under pressure from Thunder Mountain High School senior Ashlyn Gates (2) as JDHS sophomore Gwen Nizich (15) blocks out TMHS junior Cailynn Baxter (23) during the Crimson Bears 42-28 loss to the Falcons on Feb. 3 at the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams split games during the weekend. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire file photo)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kara Strong keeps the ball away from Ketchikan High School’s Kylie Brendible during Saturday night’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS girls weather challenge from Ketchikan, prevail with two more wins

Falcons, now 15-1, prepare for test of state supremacy against 16-2 Colony at home this weekend.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kara Strong keeps the ball away from Ketchikan High School’s Kylie Brendible during Saturday night’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Thomas Baxter (30) shown in action against Kodiak on Thursday, scored 30 points to lead the Falcons over the Ketchikan Kings at Kayhi on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys split series at Ketchikan

Baxter raises Falcons from 54-45 Friday fall to 61-43 win Saturday

Thunder Mountain High School senior Thomas Baxter (30) shown in action against Kodiak on Thursday, scored 30 points to lead the Falcons over the Ketchikan Kings at Kayhi on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Kara Strong, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Nadia Wilson (12), TMHS junior Kerra Baxter (22) and JDHS freshman Layla Tokuoka (14) battle for a rebound during the Falcons 42-28 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas, Thunder Mountain girls split local road games

Crimson Bears win 42-40 at Falcons’ Thunderdome, Falcons win 42-28 at George Houston Gymnasium.

Thunder Mountain High School senior Kara Strong, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Nadia Wilson (12), TMHS junior Kerra Baxter (22) and JDHS freshman Layla Tokuoka (14) battle for a rebound during the Falcons 42-28 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gavin Gerrin (1) scores from past the arc over Kodiak junior Mac Abellera (00) during the Crimson Bears 75-50 win over the Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas boys sweep visiting Kodiak

Crimson Bears defend home den against northern island Bears

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gavin Gerrin (1) scores from past the arc over Kodiak junior Mac Abellera (00) during the Crimson Bears 75-50 win over the Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain senior Thomas Baxter (30) defends Kodiak junior Kelly Ticman during the Falcons 71-49 home win over the Bears, Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys basketball team too fast for Kodiak

Falcons show depth of bench in 71-49 win at home.

Thunder Mountain senior Thomas Baxter (30) defends Kodiak junior Kelly Ticman during the Falcons 71-49 home win over the Bears, Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Nadia Wilson, left, and Layla Tokuoka, right, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé fight for possession of the ball with Skylar Morris of South Anchorage High School during Saturday’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys, girls deliver matching pair of basketball wins for homecoming

Both Crimson Bears teams score on key plays in closing seconds of back-and-forth contests.

Nadia Wilson, left, and Layla Tokuoka, right, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé fight for possession of the ball with Skylar Morris of South Anchorage High School during Saturday’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons boys basketball team are shown with their championship trophy after winning the Wolverine Classic Tournament at South Anchorage High School on Saturday. (Photo courtesy TMHS)

Falcons boys top Eagle River for Wolverine Classic championship at South Anchorage

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team defeated the Eagle River Wolves 61-57 to win the championship game of South Anchorage High School’s Wolverine… Continue reading

The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons boys basketball team are shown with their championship trophy after winning the Wolverine Classic Tournament at South Anchorage High School on Saturday. (Photo courtesy TMHS)
Thunder Mountain junior varsity and Hoonah varsity players battle for a rebound during the inaugural Elizabeth Peratrovich Women’s High School Basketball Invitational Tournament on Thursday at Thunder Mountain High School. The tournament runs through Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Smalls schools win big at inaugural Elizabeth Peratrovich basketball tournament

A chance for more opportunities, a voice for those often slighted and a venue to showcase athletic talent from across the state came to fruition… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain junior varsity and Hoonah varsity players battle for a rebound during the inaugural Elizabeth Peratrovich Women’s High School Basketball Invitational Tournament on Thursday at Thunder Mountain High School. The tournament runs through Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain senior Jaya Carandang (3) scores past South Anchorage defenders Reese Gebauer (11) and Isa Costadasily (32) during the Falcons 73-37 win over the Wolverines on Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Undefeated Falcons girls too fast for South Anchorage Wolverines in home opener

A well-tuned machine is only as good as its parts and Thunder Mountain High School sophomore guard Cambry Lockhart was definitely one of the pistons… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain senior Jaya Carandang (3) scores past South Anchorage defenders Reese Gebauer (11) and Isa Costadasily (32) during the Falcons 73-37 win over the Wolverines on Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School’s James Polasky scored 17 points against the Chugiak Mustangs during Wednesday night’s road game. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Falcons boys fly past Mustangs

Thunder Mountain topples Chugiak 70-54 on start of northern road trip

Thunder Mountain High School’s James Polasky scored 17 points against the Chugiak Mustangs during Wednesday night’s road game. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s HoopRats won the Girls Youth Championship at the 17th Annual Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational Basketball Tournament on Saturday at MEHS’ BJ McGillis Fieldhouse. (Photo Courtesy MEHS)

Juneau women, Haines men topple Anchorage teams for adult basketball titles

32 teams participate in 17th Annual Mt Edgecumbe Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Juneau’s HoopRats won the Girls Youth Championship at the 17th Annual Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational Basketball Tournament on Saturday at MEHS’ BJ McGillis Fieldhouse. (Photo Courtesy MEHS)
The Thunder Mountain High School girls’ basketball team runs a fast break against Bartlett High School on Friday in Anchorage. The Falcons, who played their first nine games on the road, open at home on Thursday against South Anchorage High School. (Screenshot from Thunder Mountain High School video)

TMHS girls basketball team, 9-0 as road warriors, opens at home on Thursday

Falcons ranked second statewide, dominating opponents by an average per-game score of 66-25.

The Thunder Mountain High School girls’ basketball team runs a fast break against Bartlett High School on Friday in Anchorage. The Falcons, who played their first nine games on the road, open at home on Thursday against South Anchorage High School. (Screenshot from Thunder Mountain High School video)
Thomas Baxter scores on a breakaway dunk for Thunder Mountain High School during Saturday’s game against Sitka High School at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS boys’ basketball scores pair of double-digit wins over Sitka

Falcons go on 18-0 run in third quarter to break open tie game during Saturday’s rematch.

Thomas Baxter scores on a breakaway dunk for Thunder Mountain High School during Saturday’s game against Sitka High School at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)