Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Thunder Mountain High School will participate in the regional basketball championships beginning Tuesday night.
The Thunder Mountain boys and JDHS girls are each the No. 1 seed in their respective brackets. TMHS girls and JDHS boys are the No. 3 seed for their brackets. Ketchikan is No. 2 in both cases.
“You know, I think everybody’s excited,” said TMHS boys coach John Blasco in a phone interview. “Everyone’s excited to get back on the floor and play. I think we’ve had a decent season but this is what it all comes down to: The opportunity to go to states.”
That hunger is echoed by other coaches, whose teams are also raring to go.
“We’re gonna fight, scratch and claw and do everything we can within the rules to be successful,” said JDHS boys coach Robert Casperson in a phone interview. “I think they’re pretty excited. They’re looking forward to playing on their own court.”
The JDHS girls are recovering from some injuries, including one of the team’s top players, Kendyl Carson.
“I think that we’re feeling pretty good,” coach Steve Potter said in a phone interview. “A couple girls are sick today so that’s a little worrisome. Hopefully, they’ll all be healed up by Wednesday.”
TMHS girl’s coach Andy Lee repeated the sentiment.
“We’re excited about our chances,” Lee said in a phone interview. “We’re reasonably healthy. I’m ready to go.”
Ketchikan has proved a worthy opponent for all teams, boys and girls, in the past. That familiarity might help, Potter said. “
We’re certainly familiar with Ketchikan. We’re certainly familiar with Thunder Mountain,” Potter said. “The records don’t really matter.”
Casperson said that even more than playing on their home court, playing at home and having access to their own beds will help performance.
“I would say home bed makes more of a difference than anything for these kids,” Casperson said. “I do think that it’s important to get that rest so you can recover.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
Boys
JDHS v. Ketchikan: Tuesday, 8:15 p.m
TMHS v. Round 1 winner: Wednesday, 8:15 p.m
Girls
TMHS v. Ketchikan: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m
JDHS v. Round 1 winner: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m
All games will be hosted at JDHS.
