High School Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) shoots a three-pointer as Federal Way seniors Jacob Hurskin (10), Saxon Niles (15) Geron White (1) and Angelo Williams (2) defend during the Crimson Bears 61-48 loss to the Eagles in the boys championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Federal Way boys stretch past JDHS in Capital City Classic title game

Eagles’ height and length result in 61-48 win over Crimson Bears in finale of three-day Juneau tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) shoots a three-pointer as Federal Way seniors Jacob Hurskin (10), Saxon Niles (15) Geron White (1) and Angelo Williams (2) defend during the Crimson Bears 61-48 loss to the Eagles in the boys championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna senior Easton Hawkins spins away from Cordova senior Thomas Nothstine during the Stars 56-52 overtime win over the Wolverines during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 3: Soldotna topples Cordova in overtime

Stars shine in second overtime game in two days.

Soldotna senior Easton Hawkins spins away from Cordova senior Thomas Nothstine during the Stars 56-52 overtime win over the Wolverines during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kenai junior Ellsi Miller (33) attempts a shot against Klawock seniors Kaiya Marvin (12) and Lea Armour in the Cardinals 45-27 win over the Chieftains during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 3: Kenai girls defeat Klawock for third place

Kenai and Klawock were looking for their first win in the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday and the Cardinals got their wish 45-27… Continue reading

Kenai junior Ellsi Miller (33) attempts a shot against Klawock seniors Kaiya Marvin (12) and Lea Armour in the Cardinals 45-27 win over the Chieftains during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheer squad leads the Crimson Bears boys onto the floor before their game against Soldotna during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys battle in extra time with Soldotna

Crimson Bears fall 62-60 to Stars in last-second overtime “Classic”

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheer squad leads the Crimson Bears boys onto the floor before their game against Soldotna during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Cambry Lockhart (3) pressures Kenai sophomore Gracee Every (10) in the Crimson Bears 57-13 win over the Cardinals during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic Day 2: 4A Crimson Bears girls topple 3A Cardinals

JDHS scores second straight dominating win during hometown tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Cambry Lockhart (3) pressures Kenai sophomore Gracee Every (10) in the Crimson Bears 57-13 win over the Cardinals during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Federal Way senior Jacob Hurskin (10) scores over Cordova senior John Itliong (1) in the Eagles 64-31 win over the Wolverines during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 2: Federal Way wins against Cordova

Eagles from Washington trap Wolverines from Alaska

Federal Way senior Jacob Hurskin (10) scores over Cordova senior John Itliong (1) in the Eagles 64-31 win over the Wolverines during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Chugiak senior Emily Desmond secures a rebound as Klawock senior Kaiya Marvin (12) and junior Taylor White (24) go for the ball in the Mustangs 45-25 win over the Chieftains during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. Chugiak freshman Kaitylyn Farr (3) and Klawock eighth grader Jayla Edenshaw and senior Lea Armour look on.(Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 2: Chugiak girls defeat Klawock

4A Mustangs 2-0 as 1A Chieftains continue to stuggle in tournament at JDHS.

Chugiak senior Emily Desmond secures a rebound as Klawock senior Kaiya Marvin (12) and junior Taylor White (24) go for the ball in the Mustangs 45-25 win over the Chieftains during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. Chugiak freshman Kaitylyn Farr (3) and Klawock eighth grader Jayla Edenshaw and senior Lea Armour look on.(Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits a three-point shot over Cordova senior Noah Pearson (14) during the Crimson Bears 62-39 win over the Wolverines in the nightcap game of the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic Day 1: JDHS boys beat Cordova in nightcap

Crimson Bears topple Wolverines in Juneau tournament that continues through Sunday

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits a three-point shot over Cordova senior Noah Pearson (14) during the Crimson Bears 62-39 win over the Wolverines in the nightcap game of the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears sophomore Layla Tokuoka takes the ball from Klawock senior Lea Armour during the Crimson Bears 71-21 win over the Chieftains on the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

4A Crimson Bears girls topple 1A Chieftains

JDHS too strong in Capital City Classic opener

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears sophomore Layla Tokuoka takes the ball from Klawock senior Lea Armour during the Crimson Bears 71-21 win over the Chieftains on the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Federal Way senior Brayden McVey (4) passes around Soldotna senior defender Izaiah Gilbert (21) during the Eagles 63-40 win over the Stars in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 1: Federal Way gets past Soldotna 63-40

Eagles from Washington use second half against Stars.

Federal Way senior Brayden McVey (4) passes around Soldotna senior defender Izaiah Gilbert (21) during the Eagles 63-40 win over the Stars in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Chugiak freshman Kaitlyn Farr (3) checks Kenai freshman Bryleigh Williams (22) during the Mustangs 43-34 win over the Cardinals in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Chugiak girls run past Kenai to win opening game of Capital City Classic

Tournament featuring seven high schools continues through Sunday at JDHS.

Chugiak freshman Kaitlyn Farr (3) checks Kenai freshman Bryleigh Williams (22) during the Mustangs 43-34 win over the Cardinals in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears varsity girls and boys basketball teams pose with alumni players during alumni games Monday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys and girls show up to show out against peers

Crimson Bears finish Vegas, use alumni game for GHCCC warmup.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears varsity girls and boys basketball teams pose with alumni players during alumni games Monday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Hoonah senior Krista Howland points to the crowd after pinning Soldotna’s Rowan Peck in the girls 126-pound title match during the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Southeast girls bring state championships home

Tournament celebrates 10th year of girls’ sanctioned wrestling.

Hoonah senior Krista Howland points to the crowd after pinning Soldotna’s Rowan Peck in the girls 126-pound title match during the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Justus Darbonne pins Soldotna’s Ryatt Weed in the 152-pound fifth-place match during the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Wrestlers represent Southeast well at state

Mt. Edgecumbe wins DII team title, JDHS puts three on DI podium

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Justus Darbonne pins Soldotna’s Ryatt Weed in the 152-pound fifth-place match during the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at the Ceasar’s Palace fountain in Las Vegas during the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)

Crimson Bears girls win second in a row at Tarkanian Classic

JDHS continues to impress at prestigious Las Vegas tournament.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at the Ceasar’s Palace fountain in Las Vegas during the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose in the bleachers at Durango High School in Las Vegas during the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)

JDHS boys earn win at Tarkanian Classic tournament

Crimson Bears find defensive “science” in crucial second half swing.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose in the bleachers at Durango High School in Las Vegas during the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)1

Crimson Bears boys fall in Las Vegas tournament opener

JDHS playing among some of nation’s top high school teams.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)1
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at The Orleans Hotel upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)

Crimson Bears girls win season opener at Tarkanian Classic

JDHS among 48 girls’ teams playing in prestigious Las Vegas tournament.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at The Orleans Hotel upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls and boys basketball teams pose above and below the new signage and plaque for the George Houston Gymnasium on Monday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

George Houston Gymnasium adds another touch of class

Second phase of renaming honor for former coach brings in more red.

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls and boys basketball teams pose above and below the new signage and plaque for the George Houston Gymnasium on Monday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Hayden Aube and Ivan Shockley go head to head on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Region V wrestling tournament in Haines. Eleven Crimson Bears earned individual titles, 12 placed second meaning that 23 are headed to state in Anchorage next weekend. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

Crimson Bears wrestlers snare Region V championship

11 earn individual titles, 12 place second, 23 head to state

Hayden Aube and Ivan Shockley go head to head on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Region V wrestling tournament in Haines. Eleven Crimson Bears earned individual titles, 12 placed second meaning that 23 are headed to state in Anchorage next weekend. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)