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The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls are staying alive after a fiercely won battle against Ketchikan High School during the 4A Region V tournament on Friday to secure the Crimson Bears’ advancement to the championship game with Thunder Mountain High School later Friday evening at 6:30 p.m.
JDHS came out strong from the first quarter and never let the foot off the gas pedal for a 47-29 finish, eliminating the Lady Kings from the tournament in the process.
JDHS coach Tanya Nizich said the team’s attention to offense finally paid off and allowed for the Crimson Bears’ solid defense to shine. The trick after a hard fought battle like the early Ketchikan game is maintaining the same energy and composure, Nizich said.
“I think we’re happy with our defense, even in these last couple of games. Our focus in the last couple games has been offense, shooting the ball and attacking the basket and I think they did a really great job of that in this game,” Nizich said. “It’s always a tough thing to ask these kids to play the best game of their lives and then you’re asking them tonight to play the best game of their lives again, so hopefully we can come out just like we did in this game and push it on into tomorrow.”
JDHS senior Skylar Tuckwood led her team in scoring with a total of 12 points with senior Kiyara Miller putting up 8 points and freshman Gwen Nizich and seniors Izzy Waters and Ashley Laudert each tied with 6 points. For Ketchikan, Lindsay Byron had a total of 11 points and Kylie Brendible had 7.
JDHS will next face off against TMHS, and if JDHS can secure two wins in one day, the Crimson Bears will take on the Falcons for one final game on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
• Contact reporter Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.
