Basketball

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Crosstown showdown: Juneau’s high schools square up

JDHS and TMHS will take to the basketball court.

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The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team stand on the Arctic Ocean. (Courtesy Photo)

Falcons come up just shy of tournament win

Close game in the far north.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team stand on the Arctic Ocean. (Courtesy Photo)
Alwen Carrillo, one of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boy’s basketball team captains, dribbles during practice on Dec. 15, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau boys basketball hitting the road

One team is bound for Anchorage, the other for Utqiagvik

Alwen Carrillo, one of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boy’s basketball team captains, dribbles during practice on Dec. 15, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / 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)
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)
Thunder Mountain High School player Meki Toutaoilepo, battles for a basket. (Courtesy Photo/Heather Holt)

TMHS boys basketball recognizes players with end of season awards

TMHS had a young team this year.

Thunder Mountain High School player Meki Toutaoilepo, battles for a basket. (Courtesy Photo/Heather Holt)
Pictured are assistant coach Ethan Billings, Cambry Lockhart, Gwen Nizich, Nadia Wilson, Cailynn Baxter, Alayna Echiverri, Kerra Baxter, Tatum Billings, Layla Tokuoka, Bergen Erickson and coach Tanya Nizich. (Courtesy Photo / Haley Tokuoka)

Local club basketball team takes 3rd in tournament

Missing basketball? Join the club.

Pictured are assistant coach Ethan Billings, Cambry Lockhart, Gwen Nizich, Nadia Wilson, Cailynn Baxter, Alayna Echiverri, Kerra Baxter, Tatum Billings, Layla Tokuoka, Bergen Erickson and coach Tanya Nizich. (Courtesy Photo / Haley Tokuoka)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kiana Potter, seen here during the Region V tournament, committed to playing basketball for Whitman College in Washington on April 8, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

One for all: JDHS senior signs for college ball with some unlikely help

Juneau residents look out for each other.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kiana Potter, seen here during the Region V tournament, committed to playing basketball for Whitman College in Washington on April 8, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Members from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team traveled to California to compete in an independent tournament on March 26, 2021 after high coronavirus levels squashed their hopes of going to the Alaska state championship. (Courtesy photo / Zoey Kriegmont)

Basketball players get final games in California

It may not have been a perfect ending but they got there together.

Members from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team traveled to California to compete in an independent tournament on March 26, 2021 after high coronavirus levels squashed their hopes of going to the Alaska state championship. (Courtesy photo / Zoey Kriegmont)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé player Tias Carney looks to pass to Lope Elizarde during the first half in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship against Ketchikan High School at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)

Boys basketball team members eye independent tournament

The team, unaffiliated with the school district, would travel to California to compete.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé player Tias Carney looks to pass to Lope Elizarde during the first half in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship against Ketchikan High School at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Cooper Kriegmont holds the 2021 Region V championship plaque up for Juneau spectators following a 87-68 win over Ketchikan in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)

JDHS’ boys formidable season ends with win at Region V tournament

The Thunder Mountain girls were not so fortunate.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Cooper Kriegmont holds the 2021 Region V championship plaque up for Juneau spectators following a 87-68 win over Ketchikan in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont and the JDHS boys will face Ketchikan for the title on March 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)

JDHS boys ready for Ketchikan as TMHS looks back on season

JDHS will combat Ketchikan for the regional title Saturday.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont and the JDHS boys will face Ketchikan for the title on March 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Mary Khaye Gacia (2) dribbles toward Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Skylar Tuckwood (13) during a 46-41 TMHS victory. It took four quarters and two overtime periods to determine which team would go on to face Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Epic, classic’ game determines which Juneau team competes for Region V title

Local team advances in double-overtime game.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Mary Khaye Gacia (2) dribbles toward Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Skylar Tuckwood (13) during a 46-41 TMHS victory. It took four quarters and two overtime periods to determine which team would go on to face Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This composite image shows JDHS girls basketball seniors Kate DeBuse (top left), Ajah Bishop (top right), Jenae Pusich (bottom left) and Kiana Potter (bottom right). (Courtesy Photos)

Coach’s Comments: JDHS girls basketball

Submitted by Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls basketball coach Steve Potter.

This composite image shows JDHS girls basketball seniors Kate DeBuse (top left), Ajah Bishop (top right), Jenae Pusich (bottom left) and Kiana Potter (bottom right). (Courtesy Photos)
Jenae Pusich pushes the ball down the court for Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé in a crosstown clash with Thunder Mountain High School on March 5, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

JDHS and TMHS girls square off in first round of Region V tournament

The winner will go on to face Ketchikan for the title.

Jenae Pusich pushes the ball down the court for Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé in a crosstown clash with Thunder Mountain High School on March 5, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jenae Pusich dribbles down the court at Friday night's game against Thunder Mountain High School. On Friday, THMS carried the night with a score of 52-45. However, on Saturday, Pusich scored 19 points in a game JDHS won 54 to 35. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Crosstown matchups put teams on road to post-season

JDHS win clinches team No. 1 seed in the Region V tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jenae Pusich dribbles down the court at Friday night's game against Thunder Mountain High School. On Friday, THMS carried the night with a score of 52-45. However, on Saturday, Pusich scored 19 points in a game JDHS won 54 to 35. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School head basketball coach Robert Casperson gets his hair cut on stage by senior Treyson Ramos during a school assembly Wednesday, holding up his end of the bargain that he would shave his head if his team won the state championship title. Casperson said he trusted the 2016 team's senior class a lot.

Even in unprecedented times, elements of Region V basketball remain

For some, the Region V tournament is the last time they put on a jersey. For others it’s a catalyst.

Juneau-Douglas High School head basketball coach Robert Casperson gets his hair cut on stage by senior Treyson Ramos during a school assembly Wednesday, holding up his end of the bargain that he would shave his head if his team won the state championship title. Casperson said he trusted the 2016 team's senior class a lot.
Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34. Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a 12:30 p.m. Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Big wins, tough losses mark busy week

Juneau teams play packed week of games as regular season winds down.

Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34. Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a 12:30 p.m. Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
Thunder Mountain High School player Mackenzie Gray, left, competes with Mt. Edgecumbe High Schoool in Sitka on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (Sitka Sentinel / James Poulson)

TMHS girls play tough defense in trio of games

The Lady Falcons were the only basketball team who got to compete this weekend.

Thunder Mountain High School player Mackenzie Gray, left, competes with Mt. Edgecumbe High Schoool in Sitka on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (Sitka Sentinel / James Poulson)