Sports

Striking Elves play against the St. Nick Hat Tricks at the Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament in the Well Fargo Dimond Park Field House on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. The Holiday Cup is underway again now through New Years Eve with 400 players on 30 different teams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Holiday Cup gets rolling at Field House

The Juneau soccer family’s favorite Christmas gift.

Striking Elves play against the St. Nick Hat Tricks at the Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament in the Well Fargo Dimond Park Field House on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. The Holiday Cup is underway again now through New Years Eve with 400 players on 30 different teams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Iced Out’s Kanon Goetz, left, battles Naughty List’s Chaehun Yi in the finals of the high school division at the annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament at the Wells Fargo Dimond Park Field House on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Iced Out won 8-2. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Pair of blowouts wrap up Holiday Cup

Here’s who won.

Iced Out’s Kanon Goetz, left, battles Naughty List’s Chaehun Yi in the finals of the high school division at the annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament at the Wells Fargo Dimond Park Field House on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Iced Out won 8-2. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood is fouled on the way to the basket by East’s Amari Brown at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. East won 57-55. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

East takes Classic crown over JDHS

East wins (again).

Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood is fouled on the way to the basket by East’s Amari Brown at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. East won 57-55. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Philip Gonzales, center, lays the ball up in front of Maine-Endwell’s Gannon Russell, left, at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 66-61. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic boys championship comes down to the wire

Here’s who won.

Juneau-Douglas’ Philip Gonzales, center, lays the ball up in front of Maine-Endwell’s Gannon Russell, left, at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 66-61. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Barrow’s Lewanne Brower dribbles the ball in between teammate Jenilee Donovan and Sitka’s Abby Forrester at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Barrow won 58-50. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Barrow concludes Capital City Classic with bounce-back win

Lady Whalers right the ship.

Barrow’s Lewanne Brower dribbles the ball in between teammate Jenilee Donovan and Sitka’s Abby Forrester at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Barrow won 58-50. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Seth Elisoff, center, celebrates his knockdown of Darrel Whisenant as referee Mike Shipman steps in during Beatdown 33 at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. Elisoff won the match. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Young fighters slam, choke, punch to victory at Beatdown

A rookie had an electrifying debut.

Seth Elisoff, center, celebrates his knockdown of Darrel Whisenant as referee Mike Shipman steps in during Beatdown 33 at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. Elisoff won the match. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Photos: AK Beatdown 33 at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall

Photos: AK Beatdown 33 at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall

Get a front-row seat to the action in our photo gallery.

Photos: AK Beatdown 33 at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall
Juneau-Douglas boys cool off Barrow

Juneau-Douglas boys cool off Barrow

Former state champs go down.

Juneau-Douglas boys cool off Barrow
Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood, left, scrambles for the ball with Sitka’s Tawny Smith at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 52-25. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears cruise to home tourney wins

It was a good start for the Crimson Bears.

Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood, left, scrambles for the ball with Sitka’s Tawny Smith at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic at Juneau-Douglas High School on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 52-25. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Former Juneau-Douglas High School head football coach Rich Sjoroos celebrates after his team goes up 18-7 against Chugiak in a playoff game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park in 2010. Sjoroos is the new Juneau United football coach on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Meet the new high school football coach

He should look familiar.

Former Juneau-Douglas High School head football coach Rich Sjoroos celebrates after his team goes up 18-7 against Chugiak in a playoff game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park in 2010. Sjoroos is the new Juneau United football coach on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Whaler boys off to hot start at Capital City Classic

Whaler boys off to hot start at Capital City Classic

The Classic is off and running.

Whaler boys off to hot start at Capital City Classic
Season’s beatings: Crop of green fighters to test mettle at Beatdown

Season’s beatings: Crop of green fighters to test mettle at Beatdown

Most contenders are young, hungry and unproven.

Season’s beatings: Crop of green fighters to test mettle at Beatdown
Photos: Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament kicks off in style

Photos: Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament kicks off in style

Games were going all afternoon.

Photos: Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament kicks off in style
Maine-Endwell High School boys basketball team. (Courtesy Photo | Twitter)

New York team traverses country for Capital City Classic

The Princess Cruises Capital City Classic has a history of bringing in Lower 48 teams. Colorado, Idaho, Washington — name a state on the West… Continue reading

Maine-Endwell High School boys basketball team. (Courtesy Photo | Twitter)
Erik Kelly plays for the Peninsula College Pirates this season. (Courtesy Photo | Peninsula College)

Checking in with Erik Kelly

Big fella talks college hoops.

Erik Kelly plays for the Peninsula College Pirates this season. (Courtesy Photo | Peninsula College)
Juneau-Douglas’ Cooper Kriegmont picks up a loose ball in the 2017 Capital City Classic Basketball Tournament at JDHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Crimson Bears have big shoes to fill

Here’s what to expect from the Crimson Bears this year.

Juneau-Douglas’ Cooper Kriegmont picks up a loose ball in the 2017 Capital City Classic Basketball Tournament at JDHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain’s Brady Carandang shoots the ball over Juneau-Douglas’ Kolby Hoover on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Carandang is the leading scorer returning for the Falcons this season. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Junior-heavy Falcons seek Region V redemption

Here’s what to expect from the Falcons this year.

Thunder Mountain’s Brady Carandang shoots the ball over Juneau-Douglas’ Kolby Hoover on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Carandang is the leading scorer returning for the Falcons this season. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sitka stymied by Thunder Mountain girls for third time

Sitka stymied by Thunder Mountain girls for third time

Thunder Mountain wasn’t even supposed to be there originally.

Sitka stymied by Thunder Mountain girls for third time
Crimson Bears end Vegas tourney with win

Crimson Bears end Vegas tourney with win

Rough start, smooth ending.

Crimson Bears end Vegas tourney with win
Juneau-Douglas’ Israel Yadao grabs a loose ball against Palmer during their Capital City Classic Basketball Tournament game at JDHS on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Five tournaments, two weeks: Local high school squads head to tournaments

Call it December Madness. All four of Juneau’s prep basketball teams will be kickstarting their respective seasons over the coming week and a half, dispersing… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas’ Israel Yadao grabs a loose ball against Palmer during their Capital City Classic Basketball Tournament game at JDHS on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)