Sports

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team pose at the home of the Palmer Moose during the Palmer Elks Tournament at Palmer. (Photo courtesy JDHS)

JDHS boys fall to Palmer 66-64 in tournament title game

Crimson Bears’ Saceda-Hurt, B. Casperson, Gasga all-tourney selections.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team pose at the home of the Palmer Moose during the Palmer Elks Tournament at Palmer. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka and freshman Lydia Goins (15) defend Soldotna senior Anika Jedlicka (4) as JDHS senior Cailynn Baxter (23) and junior Gwen Nizich (11) follow the play during the Crimson Bears 65-28 win over the Stars on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears girls run past Stars

JDHS spoils visiting Soldotna’s undefeated-in-Alaska season

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka and freshman Lydia Goins (15) defend Soldotna senior Anika Jedlicka (4) as JDHS senior Cailynn Baxter (23) and junior Gwen Nizich (11) follow the play during the Crimson Bears 65-28 win over the Stars on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) guarding Ketchikan’s Edward Dela Cruz last weekend. Gasga was part of JDHS’ defensive pressure in Friday’s 71-46 win over Homer at the Palmer Elks Tournament in Palmer. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

JDHS defeats Homer despite low shot percentage

Crimson Bears sink Mariners 71-46 at Palmer Elks tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) guarding Ketchikan’s Edward Dela Cruz last weekend. Gasga was part of JDHS’ defensive pressure in Friday’s 71-46 win over Homer at the Palmer Elks Tournament in Palmer. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Boaters paddle Kenai Fjords National Park in summer 2024. The park was created in 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Jimmy Carter, the man who preserved Alaska

Right about now, within a shrub in southern Texas, a ruby-crowned kinglet twitches to face northward. In a few months, guided by forces neither the… Continue reading

Boaters paddle Kenai Fjords National Park in summer 2024. The park was created in 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Zander Smith (8) works for a puck against Bartlett in last Saturday’s 10-6 Crimson Bears win over the Golden Bears at Juneau’s Treadwell Ice Arena. Smith was voted a player of the match against Houston in Thursday’s Crimson Bears win over the Hawks. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears fly pucks past Hawks

JDHS defeats defending state champ on the road ice.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Zander Smith (8) works for a puck against Bartlett in last Saturday’s 10-6 Crimson Bears win over the Golden Bears at Juneau’s Treadwell Ice Arena. Smith was voted a player of the match against Houston in Thursday’s Crimson Bears win over the Hawks. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker (2), junior Elias Dybdahl (20) and senior Ben Sikes (11) in action last week against Ketchikan. The three Crimson Bears played key roles in JDHS’ 64-49 win over Soldotna on Thursday in the Palmer Elks Showdown tournament at Palmer. The Crimson Bears continue play on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

JDHS defeats Soldotna, avenges early season loss

Crimson Bears win opener over Stars at Palmer tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker (2), junior Elias Dybdahl (20) and senior Ben Sikes (11) in action last week against Ketchikan. The three Crimson Bears played key roles in JDHS’ 64-49 win over Soldotna on Thursday in the Palmer Elks Showdown tournament at Palmer. The Crimson Bears continue play on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
2022 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate Brooke Sanford (5) reacts with teammates during a Regis University Rangers home volleyball match this season in Denver, Colorado. (Regis photo courtesy Makayla Salter)

Former JDHS volleyball star Brooke Sanford discusses college adjustments

Local 2022 graduate takes game to higher court while pursuing education degree in Colorado.

2022 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduate Brooke Sanford (5) reacts with teammates during a Regis University Rangers home volleyball match this season in Denver, Colorado. (Regis photo courtesy Makayla Salter)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey players and Bartlett High School hockey players work for a puck during the Crimson Bears 10-6 win over the Golden Bears Saturday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

ASAA concerned incident in JDHS hockey game not reported

Visiting Bartlett High School player had to be restrained and escorted from ice.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey players and Bartlett High School hockey players work for a puck during the Crimson Bears 10-6 win over the Golden Bears Saturday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Resolution or resolute

Ahem, a report from my daily morning constitutional, Jan. 1, 2025. There is a lot of weight in a resolution. If publicly announced, you have… Continue reading

The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)
Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Licorice ferns

The understory of our forests is graced with lots of ferns in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ferns (along with trees and wildflowers) are… Continue reading

Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kings fire long-range shots at Crimson Bears, get 70-63 win to sweep two-game series

First time Kayhi has won back-to-back games at Juneau in over a decade.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears sweep Golden Bears in second high-scoring shootout

JDHS stops Bartlett again on Treadwell Ice Arena for 10-6 win.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS dance team are top entertainers and athletes

Fans become unglued from seats through every halftime performance.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kings escape Crimson Bears den

Ketchikan wins Southeast Conference opener 52-48.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears ice Golden Bears

JDHS wins 7-5 scoring shootout against Bartlett.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé alumni hockey players pose on the Treadwell Ice Arena sheet on Dec. 26. (Photo courtesy JDHS hockey)

Alumni hockey players gather on the ice

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé alumni hockey players gathered on the Treadwell Ice Arena sheet for a mini tournament Dec. 26. The Crimson Bears alum… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé alumni hockey players pose on the Treadwell Ice Arena sheet on Dec. 26. (Photo courtesy JDHS hockey)
Elementary Division action at the 32nd Annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Dimond Park Field House. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

New Year’s Eve champions crowned at Holiday Cup

Nutmeggers, Tinsel Toes, Jingle Ballers, Iced Out, Chilkat Bandits, and Eggnog & Nutmegs win.

Elementary Division action at the 32nd Annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Dimond Park Field House. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Basketball Cheer Team. Back Row (left-right) are Sophia Percy, Stefano Rivera, Marlee Gines, Mati Iona, Hadley Bex, Alexa Scarano and Renz Hill. Front row (left to right) are Audrey Yu, Karina San Miguel, Aidan Lazo, Mia Brown Cortez, Megan Pierce, Ayla Keller and Gabby Ely. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Cheerleaders look to continue state dominance

2025 could be another season of the bear — the Crimson Bears.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Basketball Cheer Team. Back Row (left-right) are Sophia Percy, Stefano Rivera, Marlee Gines, Mati Iona, Hadley Bex, Alexa Scarano and Renz Hill. Front row (left to right) are Audrey Yu, Karina San Miguel, Aidan Lazo, Mia Brown Cortez, Megan Pierce, Ayla Keller and Gabby Ely. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The author’s wife grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts where she had more classmates go to Harvard than the author had classmates total. But that doesn’t mean her upbringing was better. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Different, not better or worse

A seven-foot minuteman stands on a rock base where Massachusetts Avenue splits at the end of Lexington’s main drag. He was unveiled in 1900 to… Continue reading

The author’s wife grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts where she had more classmates go to Harvard than the author had classmates total. But that doesn’t mean her upbringing was better. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Holiday Cup finals on Tuesday

The 32nd annual Holiday Cup soccer tournament will feature their six divisional championship matches Tuesday at the Dimond Park Field House. The annual gathering of… Continue reading

Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)