The Juneau-Douglas High School girls basketball team will have to wait until their next game to mar the Ketchikan Kings’ record.
Playing at home Friday night, the Juneau-Douglas girls fell to Ketchikan 52-39, extending Kayhi’s undefeated season. The Crimson Bears stayed within striking distance of the Southeast Conference leaders most of the second half, but were unable to overcome a double-digit lead accrued in the first two quarters.
“There were moments where we definitely stayed with them,” JDHS sophomore Cassie Dzinich said, “I think this year we can stay with them and maybe beat them.”
JDHS senior Tona Fogg led her team with eight points, followed by sophomore Cassie Dzinich and freshman Caitlyn Pusich with seven each. Kallen Hoover contributed six.
Ketchikan senior Eliah Anderson scored her 1,000th career point and netted 14 on the evening. Senior Courtney Kemble scored 13, junior AJ Dela Cruz had 12 and senior Alexis Biggerstaff added 11.
Ketchikan coach Kelly Smith was happier with his team’s first half than the second.
“We started out playing hard but for some reason we gassed out a little,” he said. “We didn’t play our best but you don’t want to be playing your best right now. We created some turnovers early and went up 15, 16, 17 and then got sloppy, so we’ll fix it.”
In the first quarter, Ketchikan’s Kemble made her presence known, scoring 10 points and helping her team to a seven-point lead at the end of the period. Kayhi was able to outscore JDHS by another six in the second quarter and by halftime was up 17-30 on the home team.
JDHS was able to break Ketchikan’s full-court press more consistently in the second half, earning a few easy fastbreak buckets. JDHS outscored their experienced opponents in the third, but were only able to cut Ketchikan’s lead to 11 going into the fourth.
JDHS senior guard and team co-captain Cristina Arehart did not play due to illness. “Cristina and Kallen (Hoover) are very vocal leaders,” sophomore Cassie Dzinich said. “I hope we can get Cristina back soon.”
The Kings’ Eliah Anderson knows she has almost out run JDHS Tona Fogg with her eyes on that basket.
Eliah Anderson of Ketchikan that makes the game’s final score giving them the win.
The Kings’ Courtney Kemble isn’t about to loose that ball.
Ketchikan’s Eliah Anderson does her best to keep her ball from the Crimson Bears on Friday night.
JDHS Kallen Hoover is down while trying her best to keep the ball.
JDHS Kallen Hoover is not letting this be a free for all.
The Crimson Cheerleaders get the crowd pumped for the game Friday night against Ketchikan.
