Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s cheer team, shown here after winning the Region V competition, went on to win the state championships for their division for 2021. (Courtesy photo / Carlene Nore)

JDHS cheerleaders take state title as season wraps up

Small teams and empty gyms were the rule, not the exception this year.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s cheer team, shown here after winning the Region V competition, went on to win the state championships for their division for 2021. (Courtesy photo / Carlene Nore)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kiana Potter, seen here during the Region V tournament, committed to playing basketball for Whitman College in Washington on April 8, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kiana Potter, seen here during the Region V tournament, committed to playing basketball for Whitman College in Washington on April 8, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Carson Cummins hoists his opponent from Ketchikan High School before taking him to the mat during a tournament at Thunder Mountain High School on Friday, April 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire).
Carson Cummins hoists his opponent from Ketchikan High School before taking him to the mat during a tournament at Thunder Mountain High School on Friday, April 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire).
Members from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team traveled to California to compete in an independent tournament on March 26, 2021 after high coronavirus levels squashed their hopes of going to the Alaska state championship. (Courtesy photo / Zoey Kriegmont)

Basketball players get final games in California

It may not have been a perfect ending but they got there together.

Members from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team traveled to California to compete in an independent tournament on March 26, 2021 after high coronavirus levels squashed their hopes of going to the Alaska state championship. (Courtesy photo / Zoey Kriegmont)
The Juneau Capitals claimed an 18-and-Under, Division A youth hockey title, grinding out four straight wins after opening the tournament with a tie. (Courtesy Photo / Mara Jennings)

Juneau 18U team grinds out a state title

They won four straight after opening the tournament with a tie.

  • Mar 26, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
The Juneau Capitals claimed an 18-and-Under, Division A youth hockey title, grinding out four straight wins after opening the tournament with a tie. (Courtesy Photo / Mara Jennings)
The Juneau Capitals swept six opposing 14U-Division A hockey teams en route to claiming a state title in Kenai over the March 19-21 weekend. (Courtesy Photo / Charity Platt)

Juneau 14U team excels on way to state title

The Juneau Capitals swept six opposing teams en route to claiming a state title in Kenai.

  • Mar 26, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • hockey
The Juneau Capitals swept six opposing 14U-Division A hockey teams en route to claiming a state title in Kenai over the March 19-21 weekend. (Courtesy Photo / Charity Platt)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team, posing here for a team photo at Twin Lakes, went through a gameless season in 2021, with all travel curtailed by the coronavirus. (Courtesy photo / Steve Quinn)

Resiliency and focus: Hockey coach looks back on limited season

Juneau’s club teams accounted handily for themselves, however.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team, posing here for a team photo at Twin Lakes, went through a gameless season in 2021, with all travel curtailed by the coronavirus. (Courtesy photo / Steve Quinn)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Cooper Kriegmont holds the 2021 Region V championship plaque up for Juneau spectators following a 87-68 win over Ketchikan in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Cooper Kriegmont holds the 2021 Region V championship plaque up for Juneau spectators following a 87-68 win over Ketchikan in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont and the JDHS boys will face Ketchikan for the title on March 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)

JDHS boys ready for Ketchikan as TMHS looks back on season

JDHS will combat Ketchikan for the regional title Saturday.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont and the JDHS boys will face Ketchikan for the title on March 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Mary Khaye Gacia (2) dribbles toward Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Skylar Tuckwood (13) during a 46-41 TMHS victory. It took four quarters and two overtime periods to determine which team would go on to face Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Mary Khaye Gacia (2) dribbles toward Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Skylar Tuckwood (13) during a 46-41 TMHS victory. It took four quarters and two overtime periods to determine which team would go on to face Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This composite image shows JDHS girls basketball seniors Kate DeBuse  (top left), Ajah Bishop (top right), Jenae Pusich (bottom left) and Kiana Potter (bottom right). (Courtesy Photos)

Coach’s Comments: JDHS girls basketball

Submitted by Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls basketball coach Steve Potter.

This composite image shows JDHS girls basketball seniors Kate DeBuse  (top left), Ajah Bishop (top right), Jenae Pusich (bottom left) and Kiana Potter (bottom right). (Courtesy Photos)
Jenae Pusich pushes the ball down the court for Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé in a crosstown clash with Thunder Mountain High School on March 5, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jenae Pusich pushes the ball down the court for Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé in a crosstown clash with Thunder Mountain High School on March 5, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Dallas Seavey poses with his dogs after crossing the finish line to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race race near Willow, Alaska, early Monday, March 15, 2021. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News, Pool)

Dallas Seavey wins Iditarod, matches most wins by a musher

At age 34, many believe he could one day become the Iditarod’s greatest champion.

  • Mar 15, 2021
Dallas Seavey poses with his dogs after crossing the finish line to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race race near Willow, Alaska, early Monday, March 15, 2021. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News, Pool)
This photo provided by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers taken March 9, 2021, Doug Ramsey, left, of Sundance Wyoming, poses with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jason Kneier near a hole in the ice of a river in Swentna, Alaska. The two helped pull an 8-year-old boy from the water after he fell into the river. (Alaska Wildlife Troopers)

Troopers, Iditarod volunteer help rescue child from river

A course change put volunteer in place for rescue.

This photo provided by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers taken March 9, 2021, Doug Ramsey, left, of Sundance Wyoming, poses with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jason Kneier near a hole in the ice of a river in Swentna, Alaska. The two helped pull an 8-year-old boy from the water after he fell into the river. (Alaska Wildlife Troopers)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Garrett Bryant signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Columbia Basin College at JDHS on March 11, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS senior signs to play college baseball in Washington

The student thanked parents and coaches for their support of his baseball career.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Garrett Bryant signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Columbia Basin College at JDHS on March 11, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Aliy Zirkle, of Two Rivers, greets fans as she passes by at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race start at Deshka Landing in Willow, Alaska, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)

Iditarod musher Zirkle injured, flown to Anchorage for care

By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle has been injured in this year’s race and flown to Anchorage in stable… Continue reading

  • Mar 10, 2021
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • Iditarod
Aliy Zirkle, of Two Rivers, greets fans as she passes by at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race start at Deshka Landing in Willow, Alaska, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jenae Pusich dribbles down the court at Friday night's game against Thunder Mountain High School. On Friday, THMS carried the night with a score of 52-45. However, on Saturday, Pusich scored 19 points in a game JDHS won 54 to 35. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Crosstown matchups put teams on road to post-season

JDHS win clinches team No. 1 seed in the Region V tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jenae Pusich dribbles down the court at Friday night's game against Thunder Mountain High School. On Friday, THMS carried the night with a score of 52-45. However, on Saturday, Pusich scored 19 points in a game JDHS won 54 to 35. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rick Casillo comes over the last drop as he comes down the Happy River Steps heading to Puntilla Lake, Alaska, during the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The world’s most famous sled dog race starts Sunday, March 7, 2021, without its defending champion in a contest that will be as much dominated by unknowns and changes because of the pandemic as mushers are by the Alaska terrain. (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)

Pandemic forces route change, other precautions for Iditarod

This year’s Iditarod will be marked by pandemic precautions, a route change, no spectators and more.

  • Mar 6, 2021
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Pess
  • Iditarod
Rick Casillo comes over the last drop as he comes down the Happy River Steps heading to Puntilla Lake, Alaska, during the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The world’s most famous sled dog race starts Sunday, March 7, 2021, without its defending champion in a contest that will be as much dominated by unknowns and changes because of the pandemic as mushers are by the Alaska terrain. (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School head basketball coach Robert Casperson gets his hair cut on stage by senior Treyson Ramos during a school assembly Wednesday, holding up his end of the bargain that he would shave his head if his team won the state championship title. Casperson said he trusted the 2016 team's senior class a lot.

Even in unprecedented times, elements of Region V basketball remain

For some, the Region V tournament is the last time they put on a jersey. For others it’s a catalyst.

Juneau-Douglas High School head basketball coach Robert Casperson gets his hair cut on stage by senior Treyson Ramos during a school assembly Wednesday, holding up his end of the bargain that he would shave his head if his team won the state championship title. Casperson said he trusted the 2016 team's senior class a lot.
Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt
Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34.
Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a 12:30 p.m. Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Big wins, tough losses mark busy week

Juneau teams play packed week of games as regular season winds down.

Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt
Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34.
Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball seniors stand at mid-court prior to a 12:30 p.m. Saturday game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School. TMHS won the game 55-34. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)