Sports

Susan Macaulay, an Air Force Veteran from Juneau, speaks with Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, at the Capitol on Wednesday. Macaulay is wearing her National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic’s 30th Anniverary medal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘More fulfilling lives in the face of disabilities’

Applause filled the Alaska House chambers. Seated in her wheelchair near the back of the room, 51-year-old Susan Macaulay was recognized by state Rep. Justin… Continue reading

Susan Macaulay, an Air Force Veteran from Juneau, speaks with Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, at the Capitol on Wednesday. Macaulay is wearing her National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic’s 30th Anniverary medal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chase Saviers, a stand-out starting guard for the Thunder Mountain High School boys varsity basketball team, talks about his years of playing for the team during an interview at TMHS on Wednesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

TMHS’ team captain weighs in on suprising season, basketball life

Thunder Mountain High School senior Chase Saviers was named Thursday second-team all-state by the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches. Erik Kelly (JDHS) and Marcus Lee… Continue reading

Chase Saviers, a stand-out starting guard for the Thunder Mountain High School boys varsity basketball team, talks about his years of playing for the team during an interview at TMHS on Wednesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Monday photo, veteran musher Scott Smith and his race team travel along the frozen Kouwegok River out of Unalakleet toward the Shaktoolik checkpoint. (Mike Kenney | Iditarod Trail Committee)

57-year-old Mitch Seavey becomes oldest winner of Iditarod

ANCHORAGE — Mitch Seavey won his third Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Tuesday, becoming the fastest and oldest champion at age 57 and helping… Continue reading

  • Mar 14, 2017
  • By MARK THIESSEN
In this Monday photo, veteran musher Scott Smith and his race team travel along the frozen Kouwegok River out of Unalakleet toward the Shaktoolik checkpoint. (Mike Kenney | Iditarod Trail Committee)
Reegan Hansen sports a smile just before the one-hour Squirt Skate-a-Thon begins. Players raised money toward expenses for an upcoming Alaska State Hockey Association youth hockey tournament. (Photos courtesy of Steve Quinn)

Will skate for money

Juneau Douglas Ice Association youth hockey teams are about to embark on trips throughout the state to compete in a series of state hockey tournaments… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2017
  • By STEVE QUINN
Reegan Hansen sports a smile just before the one-hour Squirt Skate-a-Thon begins. Players raised money toward expenses for an upcoming Alaska State Hockey Association youth hockey tournament. (Photos courtesy of Steve Quinn)
Juneau-Douglas competes against Ketchikan during the Region V Basketball finals at JDHS on Friday, March 10, 2017. Ketchikan won 41-39 to force a playoff game on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kayhi girls storm Region V championship

Six girls basketball were named to the 4A Girls Region V All-Conference team around 11 p.m. Saturday night: three from Juneau-Douglas, and three from Ketchikan.… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas competes against Ketchikan during the Region V Basketball finals at JDHS on Friday, March 10, 2017. Ketchikan won 41-39 to force a playoff game on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kelly and Swofford deny Kings Region V championship

It was a SportsCenter Top 10-like play and the Juneau-Douglas High School basketball fans loved every second of it. Early in the fourth quarter of… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas Alyxn Bohulano, right, breaks away from Ketchikan’s Madison Rose, left, and AJ Dela Cruz during the Region V Basketball finals at JDHS on Friday. Ketchikan won 41-39 to force a playoff game on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lady Kings can take Region V championship after 41-39 win over JDHS

Short-term memory can be a gift and curse in basketball. It was a gift Friday night for Ketchikan’s Brittney Slick. With her team leading by… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas Alyxn Bohulano, right, breaks away from Ketchikan’s Madison Rose, left, and AJ Dela Cruz during the Region V Basketball finals at JDHS on Friday. Ketchikan won 41-39 to force a playoff game on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ketchikan’s Marcus Lee passes to his brother, Chris, around Juneau-Douglas’ Bryce Swofford during the Region V Basketball finals at JDHS on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

JDHS one win away from second consecutive Region V championship

Two hours, five minutes of game time. 106 total points. 51 total fouls. Five players fouled out of the game. And 1.5 seconds that took… Continue reading

Ketchikan’s Marcus Lee passes to his brother, Chris, around Juneau-Douglas’ Bryce Swofford during the Region V Basketball finals at JDHS on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Georgia Robertson, right, evades Ketchikan’s Hannah Maxwell during the 4A Regional V Basketball Tournament at JDHS on Wednesday. Juneau won 52-45. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

JDHS can take Region V with win tonight

Ketchikan’s Brittney Slick scored 19 points as the Kings eliminated the Thunder Mountain Falcons from the 4A Girls Region V tournament Thursday. For the second… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Georgia Robertson, right, evades Ketchikan’s Hannah Maxwell during the 4A Regional V Basketball Tournament at JDHS on Wednesday. Juneau won 52-45. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain fans celebrate after a basket Tuesday during the Falcons 56-40 win against Juneau-Douglas during the first round of the Region V 4A tournament in the Juneau-Douglas gym in Juneau. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)

Region V: TMHS boys soar over JDHS in first round

Late in Tuesday’s 4A Boys Region V basketball tournament first round game, Thunder Mountain High School’s Noah Reishus-O’Brien drove baseline and sent a high-arching floater… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain fans celebrate after a basket Tuesday during the Falcons 56-40 win against Juneau-Douglas during the first round of the Region V 4A tournament in the Juneau-Douglas gym in Juneau. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)
Thunder Mountain’s Chase Saviers, right, as teammate Noah Reishus-O’Brien, right, blocks out Ketchikan’s Shakim Bauer during the 4A Regional V Basketball Tournament at JDHS on Wednesday. Ketchikan won 65-44. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Falcons season ends in 60-47 loss to JDHS

The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team’s fast start eliminated the Thunder Mountain Falcons from the 4A Boys Region V basketball tournament Thursday afternoon. JDHS… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Chase Saviers, right, as teammate Noah Reishus-O’Brien, right, blocks out Ketchikan’s Shakim Bauer during the 4A Regional V Basketball Tournament at JDHS on Wednesday. Ketchikan won 65-44. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ketchikan High School sophomore Payton Simmons (50) guards Thunder Mountain junior Andee Johnson (22) under the basket Tuesday during the Lady Kings’ 49-31 win against Thunder Mountain in the first round of the Region V 4A tournament in the Juneau-Douglas gym in Juneau.(Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)

Kayhi rolls in 4A Region V first round tournament game

The Thunder Mountain girls basketball team’s defense derailed Ketchikan’s offense temporarily Tuesday night. However, the Falcons were unable to slow the King’s fastbreak in the… Continue reading

Ketchikan High School sophomore Payton Simmons (50) guards Thunder Mountain junior Andee Johnson (22) under the basket Tuesday during the Lady Kings’ 49-31 win against Thunder Mountain in the first round of the Region V 4A tournament in the Juneau-Douglas gym in Juneau.(Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)
Photo courtesy Scott Balovich The Juneau-Douglas High School girls basketball senior class. Back row (left to right): Rena Nauer, Patricia Enriquez, Maddie Johnson. Front row: Meghna Bathija, Georgia Robinson. Bathija and Robinson will play in 4A Girls Region V Tournament as varsity squad members.

Final games for seniors Robinson, Bathija

With just four losses this season, the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears girls basketball team has a great chance to make the state tournament. The Crimson Bears… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Scott Balovich The Juneau-Douglas High School girls basketball senior class. Back row (left to right): Rena Nauer, Patricia Enriquez, Maddie Johnson. Front row: Meghna Bathija, Georgia Robinson. Bathija and Robinson will play in 4A Girls Region V Tournament as varsity squad members.

Crimson Bears’ defense dominant in 58-40 win over Falcons

Headed into last weekend’s regular season finale, the Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team had lost five of their six Southeast Conference games this season.… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Sue Reishus-O’Brien Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball seniors pose on senior night with coach John Blasco. Back row (left to right): John Blasco, Justin Sleppy, Mahina Toutaiolepo, Zebadiah Storie, Chase Saviers, Riley Olsen, Garth Tupou, Cale Jenkins, Noah Reishus-O’Brien, John Morris. Front row: Kaiden Ward.

Thunder Mountain seniors recognized

The largest senior class in Thunder Mountain High School basketball history was celebrated Saturday prior to their final regular season game against Juneau-Douglas High School.… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Sue Reishus-O’Brien Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball seniors pose on senior night with coach John Blasco. Back row (left to right): John Blasco, Justin Sleppy, Mahina Toutaiolepo, Zebadiah Storie, Chase Saviers, Riley Olsen, Garth Tupou, Cale Jenkins, Noah Reishus-O’Brien, John Morris. Front row: Kaiden Ward.
Juneau-Douglas’s Kasey Watts, Ulyx Bohulano and Bryce Swofford pile up with Thunder Mountain’s Roy Tupou and Riley Olson during a loose ball at TMHS on Friday, March 3, 2017. JDHS won 46-40. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hoover powers JDHS to 46-40 win over Falcons

Nothing came easy Friday night for the Thunder Mountain Falcons — not even lay ups. TMHS recorded its lowest point total of the season and… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’s Kasey Watts, Ulyx Bohulano and Bryce Swofford pile up with Thunder Mountain’s Roy Tupou and Riley Olson during a loose ball at TMHS on Friday, March 3, 2017. JDHS won 46-40. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Bob Hartt, Betsy Fischer, Bonnie O’Day take a break from classic cross country skiing at the Snow Mountain Ranch in Grandby, Colorado during the 2017 Ski For Light International Feb. 5-12, 2017. (Photo courtesy Betsy Fischer)

Skiing Into The Unknown

Longtime Juneau cross country ski enthusiasts Scott and Betsy Fischer have joined the family. So have Carl and Lauren Heine. Ken Leghorn and spouse Julie… Continue reading

Bob Hartt, Betsy Fischer, Bonnie O’Day take a break from classic cross country skiing at the Snow Mountain Ranch in Grandby, Colorado during the 2017 Ski For Light International Feb. 5-12, 2017. (Photo courtesy Betsy Fischer)
John Sleppy and his son, Justin, 18, photographed at the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Feb. 1. John is an assistant coach for the Juneau-Douglas High School boys varsity team and Justin is a student team manager for the Thunder Mountain High School boys varsity team. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Father and son are cross-town basketball rivals

Last year, John Sleppy became the Juneau-Douglas High School assistant boys basketball coach. “First words I told him were I’m proud to be his assistant… Continue reading

John Sleppy and his son, Justin, 18, photographed at the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Feb. 1. John is an assistant coach for the Juneau-Douglas High School boys varsity team and Justin is a student team manager for the Thunder Mountain High School boys varsity team. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jackson Lehnhart plays in the New England Small College Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship between Hamilton College and Amherst College Nov. 6, 2016 in Amherst, Massachusetts. (Courtesy Jackson Lehnhart)

Juneau soccer alum gets All-American nod

In 2013, Jackson Lehnhart capped his high school soccer career with the Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year Award. Now, the 5 foot, 10 inch… Continue reading

Jackson Lehnhart plays in the New England Small College Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship between Hamilton College and Amherst College Nov. 6, 2016 in Amherst, Massachusetts. (Courtesy Jackson Lehnhart)
Thunder Mountain senior Zebadiah Storie (2) makes a move around Ketchikan High School freshman Chris Lee (11) on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, during the Falcons’ 68-67 loss to the Kings in the Clarke Cochrane Gym. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)

Senior Night: Ketchikan sweeps TMHS with 68-67 Saturday win

Last Saturday, the Juneau-Douglas High School Crimson Bears celebrated their senior night with a wild, 63-54 win over the Ketchikan Kings. The Kings liked the… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain senior Zebadiah Storie (2) makes a move around Ketchikan High School freshman Chris Lee (11) on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, during the Falcons’ 68-67 loss to the Kings in the Clarke Cochrane Gym. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)