High School Sports

Thunder Mountain’s Oliver Mendoza catches a fly all against Sitka as then-teammate Bryson Echiverri ducks out of the way during the Region V Baseball Championship at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday, May 24, 2019. TMHS lost 1-7. Mendoza is expected to be a key contributor for the Falcons this year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Batter up: Juneau high schools start season in Sitka

Play ball!

Thunder Mountain’s Oliver Mendoza catches a fly all against Sitka as then-teammate Bryson Echiverri ducks out of the way during the Region V Baseball Championship at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday, May 24, 2019. TMHS lost 1-7. Mendoza is expected to be a key contributor for the Falcons this year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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)
Carson Cummins hoists his opponent from Ketchikan High School before taking him to the mat during a tournament at Thunder Mountain High School on Friday, April 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire).

5 wrestlers start off season with first-place finishes

It’s back to the mats

Carson Cummins hoists his opponent from Ketchikan High School before taking him to the mat during a tournament at Thunder Mountain High School on Friday, April 3. (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)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team, posing here for a team photo at Twin Lakes, went through a gameless season in 2021, with all travel curtailed by the coronavirus. (Courtesy photo / Steve Quinn)

Resiliency and focus: Hockey coach looks back on limited season

Juneau’s club teams accounted handily for themselves, however.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team, posing here for a team photo at Twin Lakes, went through a gameless season in 2021, with all travel curtailed by the coronavirus. (Courtesy photo / Steve Quinn)
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 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)
Courtesy photo / Heather Holt The Thunder Mountain High School varsity boys beat Sitka in an away game Feb. 19.

Juneau basketball teams have solid weekend of games, home and away

JDHS boys continue their undefeated streak, now 12-0

Courtesy photo / Heather Holt The Thunder Mountain High School varsity boys beat Sitka in an away game Feb. 19.
Meki Toutaoilepo rises up for a shot against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. Thunder Mountain High School won makes against MEHS on Wednesday and Thursday. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Juneau hoops teams notch six wins in stuffed week

JDHS boys, girls and TMHS boys all notch victories.

Meki Toutaoilepo rises up for a shot against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. Thunder Mountain High School won makes against MEHS on Wednesday and Thursday. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Coach’s Comments: JDHS boys basketball

Submitted by Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball coach Robert Casperson.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau-Douglas' Garrett Bryant (24) is fouled by Sitka's Stephen Harmon on a rebound Thursday night at Sitka High. (Photo James Poulson)

Clear of coronavirus cluster concern, Juneau basketball back in action

There’s a busy week ahead for Juneau’s teams.

Juneau-Douglas' Garrett Bryant (24) is fouled by Sitka's Stephen Harmon on a rebound Thursday night at Sitka High. (Photo James Poulson)
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)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé player Tias Carney shoots during a game against Thunder Mountain High School on Jan. 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)

JDHS boys and girls outplay TMHS over weekend of games

The crosstown rivalry is settled until the next games.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé player Tias Carney shoots during a game against Thunder Mountain High School on Jan. 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont scored his 1,000th point during the two-game series. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)

Shoot well, shoot often: JDHS player crosses 1,000-point mark

The senior credited his coaches and his teammates for the opportunities

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont scored his 1,000th point during the two-game series. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)