Basketball

Sitka junior Trey Johnson (24) challenges a shot by Mt. Edgecumbe senior Richard Didrickson Jr (21) during the Wolves’ 64-62 semifinal win over the Braves on Thursday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A/4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Wolves tip Braves in epic state semifinal hoops battle

Number two Sitka, number three Mt. Edgecumbe go down to the buzzer

Sitka junior Trey Johnson (24) challenges a shot by Mt. Edgecumbe senior Richard Didrickson Jr (21) during the Wolves’ 64-62 semifinal win over the Braves on Thursday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A/4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Hoonah’s Melissa Fisher and Taryn White (24) challenge a shot by Angoon’s Tasha McCoy during their elimination game in the 2015 Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Gold Medal returns with hearty schedules

New division is expected to draw some new fans

Hoonah’s Melissa Fisher and Taryn White (24) challenge a shot by Angoon’s Tasha McCoy during their elimination game in the 2015 Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich scores form past the arc over Bartlett senior Kaylee Lealaisalanoa (15) during the Crimson Bears’ 49-44 win over the Golden Bears on Wednesday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls defeat pesky Bartlett 49-44 to open state tourney

Crimson Bears defeat higher-seed Golden Bears in full-court action.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich scores form past the arc over Bartlett senior Kaylee Lealaisalanoa (15) during the Crimson Bears’ 49-44 win over the Golden Bears on Wednesday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) hits a three-point shot over Dimond sophomore Tavarius Wrice (14) during the Kings’ 52-48 first-round win over the Lynx on Wednesday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A/4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Ketchikan opens state with win

Kings survive tough first-round opponent Dimond.

Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) hits a three-point shot over Dimond sophomore Tavarius Wrice (14) during the Kings’ 52-48 first-round win over the Lynx on Wednesday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A/4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka drives against Wasilla senior Mylee Anderson during a Feb. 7, 2025, game at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Southeast teams prepare for the state basketball tournament

Juneau-Douglas, Ketchikan, Mt. Edgecumbe and Sitka have hearty tasks

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka drives against Wasilla senior Mylee Anderson during a Feb. 7, 2025, game at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Wrangell senior Lucas Schneider (15) fights for a loose ball with Susitna Valley’s Earl Davidson during the Wolves 53-50 loss to the Rams in the 4th/6th-place game Saturday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at UAA’s Avis Sports Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Wolves battle Rams in 2A state tournament’s final day

Wrangell falls to Susitna Valley in 4th/6th-place game.

Wrangell senior Lucas Schneider (15) fights for a loose ball with Susitna Valley’s Earl Davidson during the Wolves 53-50 loss to the Rams in the 4th/6th-place game Saturday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at UAA’s Avis Sports Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kake’s Aiden Clark (25) puts up a shot against Tri-Valley’s Kole Lucas (33), Reid Williams (2) and Henry Miner (34) during their 4th/6th-place game Saturday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kake boys fourth at state, Clark and Jackson tally double-doubles

Skagway Panthers win consolation final for seventh place over Nunamiut.

Kake’s Aiden Clark (25) puts up a shot against Tri-Valley’s Kole Lucas (33), Reid Williams (2) and Henry Miner (34) during their 4th/6th-place game Saturday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Haines’ Ari’el Godinez-Long (3) scores over Metlakatla’s Saahdia Buffalo during the Glacier Bears 58-34 loss to the MisChiefs on Friday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Metlakatla girls earn fourth place game at state

Hoonah and Klawock girls lose final state games.

Haines’ Ari’el Godinez-Long (3) scores over Metlakatla’s Saahdia Buffalo during the Glacier Bears 58-34 loss to the MisChiefs on Friday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Wrangell’s Trevyn Gillen (22), Jackson Powers and Boomchaine Loucks (4) contain Effie Kokrine ball handler Ryan Strom in the Wolves 75-40 win over the Warriors on Friday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Wrangell boys advance to state’s 2A fourth-place game

Kake boys advance to 1A fourth-place game, Skagway boys to seventh.

Wrangell’s Trevyn Gillen (22), Jackson Powers and Boomchaine Loucks (4) contain Effie Kokrine ball handler Ryan Strom in the Wolves 75-40 win over the Warriors on Friday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire Metlakatla’s Brody Booth scores over Chevak’s Anthony Martins (21) in the Chiefs 63-33 win over the Comets in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Thursday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center

Metlakatla boys win, girls lose, in state opening 2A games

Chiefs cruise past Comets, MisChiefs falter to the Comets’ girls.

Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire Metlakatla’s Brody Booth scores over Chevak’s Anthony Martins (21) in the Chiefs 63-33 win over the Comets in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Thursday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center
Kake’s Deontay Jackson (33) is fouled by Shishmaref’s Frederick Olana (11) during the Thunderbirds 68-67 loss to the Northern Lights in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A State Basketball Championships Thursday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kake state championship hopes fall by a point

Klawock girls, Skagway boys stay alive; Hoonah, Haines girls lose first games.

Kake’s Deontay Jackson (33) is fouled by Shishmaref’s Frederick Olana (11) during the Thunderbirds 68-67 loss to the Northern Lights in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A State Basketball Championships Thursday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kake’s Keontay Jackson (33) attempts a dunk during the Thunderbirds 61-41 win over the King Cove T-Jacks in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Southeast teams open 1A state tournament play

Kake boys, Hoonah girls win; Skagway boys, Klawock girls fall.

Kake’s Keontay Jackson (33) attempts a dunk during the Thunderbirds 61-41 win over the King Cove T-Jacks in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The 4A Girls All Conference players Juneau-Douglas’ Layla Tokuoka, Kerra Baxter, Caiylnn Baxter, Kayhi’s Aspen Bauer, Juneau-Douglas’ Gwen Nizich and Cambry Lockhart stand for a photo at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

JDHS players earn all-conference honors at regions

Good Sport, academic, cheer and dance honors given.

The 4A Girls All Conference players Juneau-Douglas’ Layla Tokuoka, Kerra Baxter, Caiylnn Baxter, Kayhi’s Aspen Bauer, Juneau-Douglas’ Gwen Nizich and Cambry Lockhart stand for a photo at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players celebrate their 65-43 victory over Kayhi, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Juneau-Douglas eliminated Kayhi and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears overthrow Lady Kings for region championship

JDHS clinches undefeated Southeast season with 65-43 win over Kayhi.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players celebrate their 65-43 victory over Kayhi, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Juneau-Douglas eliminated Kayhi and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kerra Baxter makes a layup during JDHS’ 64-36 victory over Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears girls defeat Kayhi 64-36 to start region tourney

JDHS’ Kerra Baxter scores 21 points, Gwen Nizich 16 in win

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kerra Baxter makes a layup during JDHS’ 64-36 victory over Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Wrangell’s Hailey Cook dribbles up the court against Petersburg on Feb. 22, 2025. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

Petersburg boys, Haines girls and both Wrangell teams win opening games of 2A tournament

JDHS begins 4A play on Thursday against Ketchikan on Kings’ home court.

Wrangell’s Hailey Cook dribbles up the court against Petersburg on Feb. 22, 2025. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kerra Baxter (22) scores against North Pole last weekend as sophomore Bergen Erickson (12) looks on. The Crimson Bears open the 2A/4A Region V tournament against Kayhi at 6 p.m. Thursday in Ketchikan's Clarke Cochran Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears head to Region V basketball tournament

Ketchikan hosts, JDHS hopes to spoil Kings’ home court advantage

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kerra Baxter (22) scores against North Pole last weekend as sophomore Bergen Erickson (12) looks on. The Crimson Bears open the 2A/4A Region V tournament against Kayhi at 6 p.m. Thursday in Ketchikan's Clarke Cochran Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior basketball and cheer members Saturday at George Houston Gymnasium. Back row left-to-right are Damian Efergan, Pedrin Saceda-Hurt, Ben Sikes, Ahmire Parker, Gavin Gerrin, Kerra Baxter, Cailynn Baxter and Stefano Rivera. Front l-r are Ayla Keller, Gabby Ely, Addison Wilson, Mary Johnson and Sophia Percy. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS honors seniors with weekend wins over Patriots

No homecoming hibernation for Crimson Bears against North Pole

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior basketball and cheer members Saturday at George Houston Gymnasium. Back row left-to-right are Damian Efergan, Pedrin Saceda-Hurt, Ben Sikes, Ahmire Parker, Gavin Gerrin, Kerra Baxter, Cailynn Baxter and Stefano Rivera. Front l-r are Ayla Keller, Gabby Ely, Addison Wilson, Mary Johnson and Sophia Percy. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Skagway senior Kaitlyn Tronrud (13) and Hoonah junior Easton Ross (11) rebound during Saturday’s Region V 1A Girls Runner-Up game at Thunder Mountain Middle School. Hoonah won 31-19 for the second berth to state in Anchorage. Klawock won the championship berth Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Skagway boys, Hoonah girls earn second Southeast berths to 1A state

Region V 1A tournament runner-up games and awards highlight Saturday action

Skagway senior Kaitlyn Tronrud (13) and Hoonah junior Easton Ross (11) rebound during Saturday’s Region V 1A Girls Runner-Up game at Thunder Mountain Middle School. Hoonah won 31-19 for the second berth to state in Anchorage. Klawock won the championship berth Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Klawock’s Kaiya Marvin (12) sets to power up a shot under pressure from Hoonah’s Paige Woitte (13), Jenna Jack (2), Jora Savland (3) and Nevaeh Campbell during the Chieftains’ 34-33 win over the Braves during 2025 Region V 1A Girls Basketball Tournament Championship game Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Klawock girls nip Hoonah 34-33 for Region V 1A title

Fifth championship in a row for seniors Armour and Marvin.

Klawock’s Kaiya Marvin (12) sets to power up a shot under pressure from Hoonah’s Paige Woitte (13), Jenna Jack (2), Jora Savland (3) and Nevaeh Campbell during the Chieftains’ 34-33 win over the Braves during 2025 Region V 1A Girls Basketball Tournament Championship game Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)