Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School basketball player Kasey Watts smiles while listening to his mother, Tamara Wahto, talk about the support her son has received since the death of his best friend, Ryan Mayhew. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Playing Through Tragedy

On the Juneau-Douglas High School basketball court, Kasey Watts looked like an ordinary teenager. He’s a 6-1 guard and a terrific perimeter defender. But this… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School basketball player Kasey Watts smiles while listening to his mother, Tamara Wahto, talk about the support her son has received since the death of his best friend, Ryan Mayhew. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Ben Carter, right, competes against South’s Luke Gale at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Thursday, April 20, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bears shut out defending champs

After welcoming two non-conference opponents to Juneau the past two weekends, it’s the Juneau-Douglas High School boys soccer team’s turn to hit the road. The… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Ben Carter, right, competes against South’s Luke Gale at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Thursday, April 20, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Malia Miller, right, drives against South’s Natalia Cole at Thunder Mountain High School on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears drop two games to South

Juneau-Douglas High School girls soccer coach Matt Dusenberry knew his team was better than their 5-1 loss to South Anchorage Thursday night at Adair-Kennedy Field.… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Malia Miller, right, drives against South’s Natalia Cole at Thunder Mountain High School on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain’s Philip Wall pitches against Juneau-Douglas at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears hold off Falcons late

The base paths didn’t see a lot of action Friday night between Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain High School at Adair-Kennedy. Kasey Watts pitched six scoreless… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Philip Wall pitches against Juneau-Douglas at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
New Thunder Mountain softball coach to make debut

New Thunder Mountain softball coach to make debut

A year after becoming the first team to win a state championship for Thunder Mountain High School, the Falcons softball team has a new head… Continue reading

New Thunder Mountain softball coach to make debut

‘Run Fur Fun’ on Saturday

The “Run Fur Fun, Wag Your Tail, Hit the Trail” race is Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. Participants can run solo or with their… Continue reading

  • Apr 20, 2017
Juneau-Douglas High School head basketball coach George Houston watches his team play Colony in Feb. 2002 at JDHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Hall of Famer, times two

Just when it appeared George Houston was a safe distance from the limelight — it’s been a decade-plus since he last coached at Juneau-Douglas High… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School head basketball coach George Houston watches his team play Colony in Feb. 2002 at JDHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Aidan Seid, seated in the middle, poses with his parents, David and Carolyn, and Glacier Swim Club and high school swim coaches Scott Griffith, Seth Cayce and Robby Jarvil while signing a national letter of intent to swim at Occidental College, April 8, at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Photo courtesy of Scott Griffith)

Swimmer Seid signs with Tigers

Aidan Seid is headed to the desert this Fall. Several hours in the pool everyday should help with his acclimatization. Seid signed a national letter… Continue reading

Aidan Seid, seated in the middle, poses with his parents, David and Carolyn, and Glacier Swim Club and high school swim coaches Scott Griffith, Seth Cayce and Robby Jarvil while signing a national letter of intent to swim at Occidental College, April 8, at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Photo courtesy of Scott Griffith)
US Marine Sgt. James White congratulates Cody Weldon, 18, with the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship Tuesday, April 18, at Juneau-Douglas High School. Weldon was one of two Alaskan high school students to be given the scholarship. (Photo by Alex McCarthy)

JDHS’ Weldon cashes in on $180K military scholarship

Tall, toned and clean-shaven, Juneau-Douglas High School senior Cody Weldon already has the physique of a United States Marine Officer. He’s about to add the… Continue reading

US Marine Sgt. James White congratulates Cody Weldon, 18, with the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship Tuesday, April 18, at Juneau-Douglas High School. Weldon was one of two Alaskan high school students to be given the scholarship. (Photo by Alex McCarthy)
Juneau-Douglas’ Ben Carter competes against West Valley’s Ricky Stanton at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

West Valley downs Crimson Bears

Any hopes of an undefeated season were dashed Friday afternoon for the Juneau-Douglas High School boys soccer team. The senior-laden squad lost 1-0 to West… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Ben Carter competes against West Valley’s Ricky Stanton at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bring on South Anchorage

The Juneau-Douglas High School girls soccer team hammered Ketchikan with five goals Friday night, winning 5-1, but will have to up the intensity even further… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Ben Undurraga attempts a header against West Valley’s Jacob Luhrs (7), Ethan Raygor andVaughn Simpson, right, at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Defending state champions headed to Juneau

Juneau-Douglas High School boys soccer coach Gary Lehnhart stresses winning the energy battle each and every game. If the number of aches afflicting his team… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Ben Undurraga attempts a header against West Valley’s Jacob Luhrs (7), Ethan Raygor andVaughn Simpson, right, at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Erika Holst competes against Ketchikan’s Neva Garner at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears light up Ketchikan 7-0

The Juneau-Douglas High School girls soccer team put on a show in the second half of Thursday night’s 7-0 win over visiting Ketchikan. Sophomore Michaela… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Erika Holst competes against Ketchikan’s Neva Garner at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Story time at Treadwell Arena

After months of brainstorming, planning and collaborating, the Juneau Skating Club is ready to premier its spring show, “Nursery Rhymes to Fairy Tales” Saturday at… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Erika Holst, left, and Michaela Bentley attempt to score off a corner kick against Thunder Mountain’s Meghan Penrose during their match at TMHS on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Juneau-Douglas won 1-0. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lindley’s broken arm mutes JDHS win

Pregame warm up tunes of contemporary hip hop were replaced with shrieks of agony in the second half of Tuesday night’s game between the Juneau-Douglas… Continue reading

  • Apr 12, 2017
  • By by Nolin Ainsworth
Juneau-Douglas’ Erika Holst, left, and Michaela Bentley attempt to score off a corner kick against Thunder Mountain’s Meghan Penrose during their match at TMHS on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Juneau-Douglas won 1-0. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIM HORT Nikki Lanhum, left, fist bumps Paige Adams during the Juneau Capitals game against Hockey Club Fairbanks on Friday at the Subway Sports Centre in Anchorage.

Juneau fields first all-girls state hockey team

The Juneau Capitals returned from the 2017 Alaska State Hockey Association 14U Girls Championships with only one win last weekend. However, the 12 skaters earned… Continue reading

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIM HORT Nikki Lanhum, left, fist bumps Paige Adams during the Juneau Capitals game against Hockey Club Fairbanks on Friday at the Subway Sports Centre in Anchorage.
Thunder Mountain’s Franco Vidal, left, races Juneau-Douglas’ Aidan Hopson to the ball during their first match of the season at TMHS on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Miller’s two second half strikes put Falcons away

“Feeling good today!” said a giddy Thunder Mountain High School boys soccer coach Joshua Odum. Somehow, after getting blitzed in the first half by Ben… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Franco Vidal, left, races Juneau-Douglas’ Aidan Hopson to the ball during their first match of the season at TMHS on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTINE JOHNSON Above, Heart of Hospice runners take off from Twin Lakes Park on Saturday. At right, Adalaide Johnson, left, and Phillips David, right, accept their respective Dr. Henry Akiyama awards from Catholic Community Services Executive Director Erin Walker-Tolles.

David, Johnson win Heart of Hospice Fun 5K

Over 130 athletes shook off the drowsiness of winter with the 12th annual Heart of Hospice Fun Run on Saturday. The event was held at… Continue reading

  • Apr 10, 2017
  • By Nathan Lovik
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTINE JOHNSON Above, Heart of Hospice runners take off from Twin Lakes Park on Saturday. At right, Adalaide Johnson, left, and Phillips David, right, accept their respective Dr. Henry Akiyama awards from Catholic Community Services Executive Director Erin Walker-Tolles.
A Season in Review: Juneau-Douglas boys basketball

A Season in Review: Juneau-Douglas boys basketball

To mark the end of basketball season, the Empire is highlighting all four high school basketball teams. Read the TMHS girls' season review here; the JDHS girls' season… Continue reading

A Season in Review: Juneau-Douglas boys basketball
A Season in Review: Juneau-Douglas girls basketball

A Season in Review: Juneau-Douglas girls basketball

To mark the end of basketball season, the Empire is highlighting all four high school basketball teams. Read the TMHS boys' season review here; the TMHS girls' season… Continue reading

A Season in Review: Juneau-Douglas girls basketball