Sports

Roy Tupou, right, and Puna Toutaiolepo workout with teammates during Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball practice at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Season preview: New roster, new charisma for Blasco’s Falcons

At a weeknight practice in the second full week of the season, senior Josh McAndrews and other guards race up the court with noticeable speed.… Continue reading

Roy Tupou, right, and Puna Toutaiolepo workout with teammates during Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball practice at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Bring on basketball

Bring on basketball

It was not a good feeling. My first day reporting for the Juneau Empire was reaching its end, and I couldn’t string together a few… Continue reading

Bring on basketball
Cyrene Uddipa, center, guards teammate Samantha Dilley during Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball practice at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Season preview: Pedal to the metal for guard-heavy Falcons

It would have been easy for Chandler Christensen to pack it up and leave. In her first year as the head coach of the Thunder… Continue reading

Cyrene Uddipa, center, guards teammate Samantha Dilley during Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball practice at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears fall in Houston tournament

The Juneau-Douglas High School hockey team fell to Kenai Central 4-3 in the third-place game at the Big Lake Lions Christmas Classic Saturday in Houston.… Continue reading

Professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter, a Haida from Hydaburg, visits sixth-graders at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School to give an inspirational speech on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Each sixth-grader, 178 in total, received a free lineform designed basketball during the event. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Spreading holiday cheer, one basketball at a time

Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School sixth-graders went home on Friday with more than fresh homework. Thanks to an assist from Central Council of Tlingit and Haida… Continue reading

Professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter, a Haida from Hydaburg, visits sixth-graders at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School to give an inspirational speech on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Each sixth-grader, 178 in total, received a free lineform designed basketball during the event. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Erik Genitz, left, moves the puck against a West Valley player at Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hockey team to play in Houston tournament

The Juneau-Douglas High School hockey team plays today on the road for their first away games of the season. The Crimson Bears (1-4, 0-2 MAC)… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Erik Genitz, left, moves the puck against a West Valley player at Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. The JNST attended a Thanksgiving clinic in Anchorage Nov. 24-26 with teams from Nome and Unalakleet and led by two-time Olympian Lars Flora. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Nordic team sees renewed interest in sport

The next time you go cross-country skiing in Juneau, keep on the lookout for a group wearing matching grey jackets. Several times a week between… Continue reading

Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. The JNST attended a Thanksgiving clinic in Anchorage Nov. 24-26 with teams from Nome and Unalakleet and led by two-time Olympian Lars Flora. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest ski instructor Sarah Milks rides up an Eaglecrest chairlift with a fellow instructor, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. (Lance Nesbitt | For the Juneau Empire)

Bumpy riding greets Eaglecrest opening day skiers

Like many at Eaglecrest for opening day on Saturday, 46-year-old Jason Donig didn’t come to ride the Porcupine Chair. Donig was almost finished lacing up… Continue reading

Eaglecrest ski instructor Sarah Milks rides up an Eaglecrest chairlift with a fellow instructor, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. (Lance Nesbitt | For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Greyson Liebelt, center, moves the puck against West Valley’s Dustin Sadler at Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

West Valley sweeps Juneau-Douglas in hard-fought games

West Valley’s Dylan Savereide scored the game-winning goal with under three minutes to play Friday to stifle Juneau-Douglas High School’s comeback effort in a 3-2… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Greyson Liebelt, center, moves the puck against West Valley’s Dustin Sadler at Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A skier makes his way down the Sourdough Run at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest gears up for one-chairlift opening day

Eaglecrest Ski Area opens for the first time of the season on Saturday. However, only one of the four chairlifts on the mountain will be… Continue reading

A skier makes his way down the Sourdough Run at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Youth Football League 49ers celebrate their 13U Central championship at the National Youth Football Championships in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Chris Connally)

Juneau Youth Football League team wins Las Vegas tournament

Esteban “Gaby” Soto knows how to make a good first impression. The 13-year-old Juneau Youth Football League running back scored on the very first play… Continue reading

The Juneau Youth Football League 49ers celebrate their 13U Central championship at the National Youth Football Championships in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Chris Connally)

Gold Medal basketball requesting letters of interest

The Juneau Lions Club announced Tuesday it is now accepting letters of interest for entrance into the 72nd Annual Invitational Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. Teams… Continue reading

  • Nov 28, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
Gregor Schniewindt, 16, a Thunder Mountain High School junior German exchange student with the Rotary Club, in the seaside backyard of his host family this fall. The Neuenrade, Germany native played for the TMHS football team this year. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Meet the foreign exchange students on Juneau high school sports teams

In 2007, a high school exchange student from Hong Kong joined the Juneau-Douglas High School tennis team and won the state’s first-ever girls singles title.… Continue reading

Gregor Schniewindt, 16, a Thunder Mountain High School junior German exchange student with the Rotary Club, in the seaside backyard of his host family this fall. The Neuenrade, Germany native played for the TMHS football team this year. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Dave Scanlan is the new General Manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dave Scanlan takes over as the new head honcho at Eaglecrest ski area

Dave Scanlan is new to Eaglcrest Ski Area, but he’s no stranger to small community ski areas. At 40, he’s spent his professional life working… Continue reading

Dave Scanlan is the new General Manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ski scholarship winners announced

Ski scholarship winners announced

Eaglecrest Ski Area announced on Monday the four winners of this year’s Hilary Lindh Scholarship. Michael Cesar, John Barnhill, Linnea Bush and Trevor Stephens will… Continue reading

  • Nov 21, 2017
Ski scholarship winners announced
Turkey Trot participants depart from the Airport Trailhead during last year’s event. (Photo courtesy of Tyra Smith-Mackinnon)

Thanksgiving run to benefit hockey, youth cause

Take a break from the kitchen and Facetime with the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5-kilometer and 1-mile run/walk. The fundraiser for Juneau Teens for Change… Continue reading

  • Nov 21, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
Turkey Trot participants depart from the Airport Trailhead during last year’s event. (Photo courtesy of Tyra Smith-Mackinnon)
Juneau-Douglas’ Dalton Hoy, center, competes for the puck against Kenai’s Devin Every and Matt Hagel, right, in Juneau-Douglas’s first home match of the season at Treadwell Arena on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas splits weekend series with Kenai

Seniors Joseph Monsef — captain of the Juneau-Douglas High School hockey team— and Levi Mese — captain of visiting Kenai Central — each scored hat… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Dalton Hoy, center, competes for the puck against Kenai’s Devin Every and Matt Hagel, right, in Juneau-Douglas’s first home match of the season at Treadwell Arena on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Youth Football League coach Marcos Morehouse instructs several 49ers players at a weeknight practice at Glacier Valley Elementary School, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. The youth football team travels this week to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the National Youth Football Championships where they will play two games. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Juneau youth football to play in Thanksgiving tournament in Vegas

The Juneau Youth Football League senior division 49ers leave on Monday for the National Youth Football Championships in Las Vegas. The players have been preparing… Continue reading

Juneau Youth Football League coach Marcos Morehouse instructs several 49ers players at a weeknight practice at Glacier Valley Elementary School, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. The youth football team travels this week to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the National Youth Football Championships where they will play two games. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Cameron Smith, right, brings the puck up with Joseph Monsef during Juneau-Douglas High School hockey practice at the Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau hockey opens the season against Kenai

After a month of practice, it’s time to play the first game of Season 13. The Juneau-Douglas High School hockey team plays in its first… Continue reading

Cameron Smith, right, brings the puck up with Joseph Monsef during Juneau-Douglas High School hockey practice at the Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Dalton Hoy, center, competes for the puck against Kenai’s Devin Every and Matt Hagel, right, in Juneau-Douglas’s first home match of the season at Treadwell Ice Arena on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

High-energy Crimson Bears skate past Kardinals

Juneau-Douglas High School scored four first period goals as the Crimson Bears won 5-1 Friday night over Kenai Central at Treadwell Ice Arena. Five different… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Dalton Hoy, center, competes for the puck against Kenai’s Devin Every and Matt Hagel, right, in Juneau-Douglas’s first home match of the season at Treadwell Ice Arena on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)