Sports

It’s not too late for youth to join skiing program

It’s not too late for youth to join skiing program

Too fun not to try.

It’s not too late for youth to join skiing program
Cody Mitchell (Courtesy Photo | Crow Fox Photography)

Player of the Week: Cody Mitchell

The Crimson Bears’ backbone.

Cody Mitchell (Courtesy Photo | Crow Fox Photography)
Prep hoops teams dominate weekend play

Prep hoops teams dominate weekend play

Get caught up on your favorite teams.

Prep hoops teams dominate weekend play
Juneau-Douglas swept by Soldotna after coasting past Kenai

Juneau-Douglas swept by Soldotna after coasting past Kenai

The highs and lows of hockey.

Juneau-Douglas swept by Soldotna after coasting past Kenai
Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Jacob Ferster pins East Anchorage’s Ikaska Vaivai in the second round of the 215-pound consolation bracket of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Division I State Wrestling Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain grapplers 13th at state tournament

Derek Mason goes out swinging.

Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Jacob Ferster pins East Anchorage’s Ikaska Vaivai in the second round of the 215-pound consolation bracket of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Division I State Wrestling Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood drives between North Pole’s Megan Grant, right, and Breeauna O’Rear at JDHS on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 62-32. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tuckwood lifts Crimson Bears past Patriots

The cross country phenom can ball.

Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood drives between North Pole’s Megan Grant, right, and Breeauna O’Rear at JDHS on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 62-32. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chad Bentz, a physical education teacher at Juneau-Douglas High School holds a parent/teacher conference at JDHS in 2014. Bentz is a 1999 graduate of JDHS and baseball standout. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Bentz headed into Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

An “unexpected surprise” for former Big.

Chad Bentz, a physical education teacher at Juneau-Douglas High School holds a parent/teacher conference at JDHS in 2014. Bentz is a 1999 graduate of JDHS and baseball standout. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain’s Iayanah Brewer, left, and teammate Tasi Fenumiai, right, battle for the ball against North Pole’s Alex Hodal, front, and Claire Richmond at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Falcons burst into season with blowout

The Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball team pulled a rare first-quarter stunt in their season opener against North Pole. With about two minutes left… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Iayanah Brewer, left, and teammate Tasi Fenumiai, right, battle for the ball against North Pole’s Alex Hodal, front, and Claire Richmond at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sadie Tuckwood, center and Chloe McAdams, right, apply pressure to Bailey Wery-Tagaban during Juneau-Douglas High School girls varsity practice on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls all in for dethroning the Lady Kings

JDHS girls basketball season preview.

Sadie Tuckwood, center and Chloe McAdams, right, apply pressure to Bailey Wery-Tagaban during Juneau-Douglas High School girls varsity practice on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears shut out Kenai on the ice

Crimson Bears shut out Kenai on the ice

Juneau-Douglas hockey defeats Kenai Central 7-0 on the road.

Crimson Bears shut out Kenai on the ice
Mary Khaye Garcia shoots over teammate Sydney Strong during early morning girls basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Basketball Preview: Preparation, experience could be difference makers for TMHS girls

No longer a one-trick pony.

Mary Khaye Garcia shoots over teammate Sydney Strong during early morning girls basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sophomore Jake Ferster, top, workouts against senior Derek Mason during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Player of the Week: Derek Mason

Derek Mason is the Juneau Empire player of the week. Mason, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, won the Region V Wrestling Championships 215-pound… Continue reading

Sophomore Jake Ferster, top, workouts against senior Derek Mason during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Coach Jesse Cruz watches his team workout during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Cruz’ control: Last-minute coach find turning out well for Thunder Mountain wrestling team

Kids and administrators think highly of him.

Coach Jesse Cruz watches his team workout during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain’s Kadin Messmer wrestles Ketchikan’s Degan Linne during their 103-pound finals match in the Region V Division I Wrestling Championships at TMHS on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Linne pinned Messmer at 5:44 to win the region title. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

TMHS wrestlers resilient at Region V tourney

Next stop: state.

Thunder Mountain’s Kadin Messmer wrestles Ketchikan’s Degan Linne during their 103-pound finals match in the Region V Division I Wrestling Championships at TMHS on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Linne pinned Messmer at 5:44 to win the region title. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Will Woolford, 13, airs down Muskeg trail during the opening day of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest opens its doors

A young crowd hit the slopes.

Will Woolford, 13, airs down Muskeg trail during the opening day of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Sophomore Jake Ferster, top, workouts against senior Derek Mason during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Falcons hosts Region V tourney

Do well and you’ll probably qualify for state.

Sophomore Jake Ferster, top, workouts against senior Derek Mason during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Team Juneau poses with its medals after competing in the Yukon Inter-Schools Arctic Sports Championships at the Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Top row (Left to right): Coach Kaytlynne Lewis, Erik Jim, Josh Sheakley, Sara Steeves, coach Kyle Worl. Bottom row: Orion Denny, Matthew Quinto. (Courtesy Photo | Kyle Worl)

Juneau teens win big in Whitehorse Native Youth Olympics competition

Matthew Quinto is three gold medals richer.

Team Juneau poses with its medals after competing in the Yukon Inter-Schools Arctic Sports Championships at the Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Top row (Left to right): Coach Kaytlynne Lewis, Erik Jim, Josh Sheakley, Sara Steeves, coach Kyle Worl. Bottom row: Orion Denny, Matthew Quinto. (Courtesy Photo | Kyle Worl)
Ronan Lynch. (Courtesy Photo | Crow Fox Photography)

Player of the Week: Ronan Lynch

He’s got two hat tricks to his name.

Ronan Lynch. (Courtesy Photo | Crow Fox Photography)
TMHS coach Randy Quinto works with his team at Thunder Mountain High School football practice at TMHS on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. Quinto was the TMHS head coach from 2015-17 and Juneau United head coach last season. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau football coach resigns, search on to find replacement

The team was winless last season.

TMHS coach Randy Quinto works with his team at Thunder Mountain High School football practice at TMHS on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. Quinto was the TMHS head coach from 2015-17 and Juneau United head coach last season. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau-Douglas senior Steven Ireland-Haight attempts to take down Wrangell’s Jake Eastaugh in the 171-pound consolation semifinals at the Brandon Pilot Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Thunder Mountain High School. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)

Thunder wrestlers fifth in Sitka

One Falcon did win in triple OT though.

Juneau-Douglas senior Steven Ireland-Haight attempts to take down Wrangell’s Jake Eastaugh in the 171-pound consolation semifinals at the Brandon Pilot Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Thunder Mountain High School. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)