Sports

Alwen Carrillo, player for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, dribbles during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. Both JDHS teams will compete in the Capital City Classic beginning on Dec. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Happy ball-idays: Teams ready for Princess Capital City Classic

Teams from near and far will face down on the basketball court after Christmas.

Alwen Carrillo, player for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, dribbles during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. Both JDHS teams will compete in the Capital City Classic beginning on Dec. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
teaser

Scores at a glance for the week of Dec. 17

Quick recaps for local teams.

teaser
Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls basketball team starting season swinging

A junior- and senior-heavy roster make for a formidable team.

Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys basketball gets ready to hit the road

Their first games this year will be away —way, way away.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS readies for season tipoff

The Falcons’ basketball season is ready to take flight.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Participants in the eighth annual Turkey Trot 5K take off from the starting line on a dreary Thanksgiving.

‘We were ready’: Turkey Trot returns with in-person fun run

Conditions along the trail were more suitable for a trudge than a trot.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Participants in the eighth annual Turkey Trot 5K take off from the starting line on a dreary Thanksgiving.
Science writer Ned Rozell, left, and UAF ecologist Ben Gaglioti pause after a slippery, seven-hour rainforest hike near La Perouse Glacier on July 3, 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Gratitude comes easy to science writer

My last shot of gratitude goes to you, reading this somewhere we have sent it.

  • Nov 26, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
Science writer Ned Rozell, left, and UAF ecologist Ben Gaglioti pause after a slippery, seven-hour rainforest hike near La Perouse Glacier on July 3, 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Eaglecrest Ski Area is preparing to open for its 2021-2022 season with infrastructure upgrades and eased COVID mitigation strategies. (Courtesy photo / Nate Morris)

Freshly up-gunned Eaglecrest readying for opening day

New snow guns and hardened nordic trails will great winter sport enthusiasts on opening day.

Eaglecrest Ski Area is preparing to open for its 2021-2022 season with infrastructure upgrades and eased COVID mitigation strategies. (Courtesy photo / Nate Morris)
Juneau’s Team Forget-Me-Not competes in the Synchro Fall Classic in California in November as they return to competitions after nearly two years without skating against another team. (Courtesy photo / Cynthia Slawter Photography)

Skate team places 3rd in out-of-state competition

Cool heads and high skills prevailed

Juneau’s Team Forget-Me-Not competes in the Synchro Fall Classic in California in November as they return to competitions after nearly two years without skating against another team. (Courtesy photo / Cynthia Slawter Photography)
The Juneau Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School hockey team was in Palmer on Nov. 13, 2021, for a series of games in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Coach Luke Adams told the Empire he was confident in his team who were eager for the season ahead. (Courtesy photo / Judy Campbell)

On the road again, JDHS hockey excited for season

Stiff competition.

The Juneau Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School hockey team was in Palmer on Nov. 13, 2021, for a series of games in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Coach Luke Adams told the Empire he was confident in his team who were eager for the season ahead. (Courtesy photo / Judy Campbell)
This photo shared by the Campbell family shows Matthew Campbell, who wore No. 20 when playing for the Crimson Bears. It’s the same number now worn by younger brother, Brandon Campbell. Matthew died in 2020, and the Campbell family continues his legacy with an annual award recognizing two local hockey players for their kindness and sportsmanship. (Courtesy Photo

Remembering Matthew: Family Prepares for 2nd annual hockey awards

Their goal? Continuing a dream

This photo shared by the Campbell family shows Matthew Campbell, who wore No. 20 when playing for the Crimson Bears. It’s the same number now worn by younger brother, Brandon Campbell. Matthew died in 2020, and the Campbell family continues his legacy with an annual award recognizing two local hockey players for their kindness and sportsmanship. (Courtesy Photo
The author has done plenty of rowing and hiking in the early morning, but he hasn't found a buck. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Crashing waves of doubt

Staying frustrated is more of a problem than getting frustrated

  • Nov 10, 2021
  • By Jeff Lund For the Juneau Empire
The author has done plenty of rowing and hiking in the early morning, but he hasn't found a buck. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School girls volleyball players Molly Brocious, center, #10, and Sydney Strong, left, #11, face off against Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Ashley Laudert, #18, during the Region Five tournament in Ketchikan over the weekend. (Mackenzie Pahang / Kayhi Current)

Thunder Mountain girls volleyball heads to state championship

Proud and pleased.

Thunder Mountain High School girls volleyball players Molly Brocious, center, #10, and Sydney Strong, left, #11, face off against Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Ashley Laudert, #18, during the Region Five tournament in Ketchikan over the weekend. (Mackenzie Pahang / Kayhi Current)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Skaters for Juneau Skating Club Team Forget-Me-Not practice on Oct. 31, 2021 for an upcoming travel competition in California.

Juneau’s synchronized skating team prepares to hit the road

Synchronized skate in Golden State.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Skaters for Juneau Skating Club Team Forget-Me-Not practice on Oct. 31, 2021 for an upcoming travel competition in California.
Amy Liddle recently set a Glacier Swim Club team record for her 200 backstroke for 11/12 girls in an inter-squad trial. (Courtesy photo / Shireen Taintor)

Swimmer sets team record for Glacier Swim Club

Large numbers of swimmers are setting personal records.

Amy Liddle recently set a Glacier Swim Club team record for her 200 backstroke for 11/12 girls in an inter-squad trial. (Courtesy photo / Shireen Taintor)
Juneau’s unified football cheerleaders supported the football team Friday night in Anchorage and picked up a slew of awards, including “Grand Master Champs” at Saturday's "Rally in the Valley" cheer competition at Colony High School in Palmer. (Courtesy photo/Carlene Nore)

Juneau’s cheerleaders bring home a W

Team earns top honors at the Rally in the Valley

Juneau’s unified football cheerleaders supported the football team Friday night in Anchorage and picked up a slew of awards, including “Grand Master Champs” at Saturday's "Rally in the Valley" cheer competition at Colony High School in Palmer. (Courtesy photo/Carlene Nore)
James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)

Juneau’s title chase comes to an end against East Anchorage

The Juneau Huskies finished their 2021 season as runner-ups for the state’s Division I title.

James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)
Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Empire Live: Huskies play hard, fall short of title

Thunderbirds win the state championship 30-17.

Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies are heading to state

Huskies dominate in home win.

Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kiah Dihle came in third for the state of Alaska in the Alaska School Activities Association’s 2021 state championships, hosted in Anchorage, on Oct. 9, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Kent Mearig)

Juneau cross country teams cross muddy finish line on season

Thunder Mountain’s Kiah Dihle placed third overall for Alaska.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kiah Dihle came in third for the state of Alaska in the Alaska School Activities Association’s 2021 state championships, hosted in Anchorage, on Oct. 9, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Kent Mearig)