Coach Robert Casperson watches his boys varsity basketball team practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Robert Casperson watches his boys varsity basketball team practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: Are you ready for some basketball?

Local high school teams are gearing up.

Boys and girls basketball teams at Thunder Mountain High School and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé are currently practicing for the upcoming season.

Read a season preview here: 2019-20 Basketball Preview: Upperclassmen talent galore for Juneau teams


• Contact staff photographer Michael Penn at mpenn@juneauempire.com. Follow our Instagram at @Juneau.Life.


Jenae Pucish, left, drives against Ajah Bishop during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Jenae Pucish, left, drives against Ajah Bishop during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ajah Bishop, right, passes away from Jenae Pusich during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ajah Bishop, right, passes away from Jenae Pusich during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kendyl Carson, center, looks to pass against Skylar Tuckwood, right, during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kendyl Carson, center, looks to pass against Skylar Tuckwood, right, during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kiara Endicott, left, is guarded by Kiana Potter during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kiara Endicott, left, is guarded by Kiana Potter during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The boys junior varsity basketball team waits for their time on the court as the girls varsity basketball team finishes their practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The boys junior varsity basketball team waits for their time on the court as the girls varsity basketball team finishes their practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Skylar Tuckwood, left, blocks a shot by Kendyl Carson during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Skylar Tuckwood, left, blocks a shot by Kendyl Carson during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Steve Potter yells out encouragement during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Steve Potter yells out encouragement during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Steve Potter talks to his team during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Steve Potter talks to his team during girls varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Former professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter gives a shooting lesson during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Former professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter gives a shooting lesson during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bryson Echiverri works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bryson Echiverri works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Braden Jenkins lays the ball up during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Braden Jenkins lays the ball up during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach John Blasco watches his team during the boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)                                Coach John Blasco watches his team during the boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach John Blasco watches his team during the boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Coach John Blasco watches his team during the boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Stone Morgan, right, makes a pass during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Stone Morgan, right, makes a pass during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Isaiah Nelson, left, drives against Meki Toutaiolepo during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Isaiah Nelson, left, drives against Meki Toutaiolepo during boys varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Avery Kreischer, center, is guarded by Mary Neal Garcia, left, and Mary Khaye Garcia during girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Avery Kreischer, center, is guarded by Mary Neal Garcia, left, and Mary Khaye Garcia during girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Samantha Dilley, right, evades the defense of Sydney Strong during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Samantha Dilley, right, evades the defense of Sydney Strong during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mary Neal Garcia, right, is guarded by Iayanah Brewer during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mary Neal Garcia, right, is guarded by Iayanah Brewer during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Andy Lee gives encouragement during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Andy Lee gives encouragement during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Riley Traxler, right, passes over Sydney Strong during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Riley Traxler, right, passes over Sydney Strong during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Andy Lee gives starts off a cheer during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coach Andy Lee gives starts off a cheer during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mary Khaye Garcia shoots during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mary Khaye Garcia shoots during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tzadi Hauck shoots during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tzadi Hauck shoots during the girls varsity basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Malakai Nichols, left, drives against LJ Elizarde during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Malakai Nichols, left, drives against LJ Elizarde during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Elliott Castello, right, drives against Cooper Kriegmont during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Elliott Castello, right, drives against Cooper Kriegmont during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: Are you ready for some basketball?

Elliott Castello, right, drives against Cooper Kriegmont during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tad Watson, left, drives against Jake Sleppy during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tad Watson, left, drives against Jake Sleppy during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cooper Kriegmont works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cooper Kriegmont works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in Sports

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at the Ceasar’s Palace fountain in Las Vegas during the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
Crimson Bears girls win second in a row at Tarkanian Classic

JDHS continues to impress at prestigious Las Vegas tournament.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose in the bleachers at Durango High School in Las Vegas during the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
JDHS boys earn win at Tarkanian Classic tournament

Crimson Bears find defensive “science” in crucial second half swing.

Neve Baker stands beside her poster on discovering ancient evidence of beavers in Grand Tetons National Park while she was at the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington, D.C. in December 2024. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Ancient beavers, sea floor bumps, thick air

It’s time to start emptying the notebook following the Fall Meeting of… Continue reading

The Wet Bandits’ Shannon Hendricks and the Nutcrackers’ Kyle Hebert play a ball during the opening night of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament at the Dimond Park Field House on Wednesday. The 32nd annual holiday tournament runs through Dec. 31. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Pure Sole: Mistletoe or turf toe

Forget the mistletoe. I fear it may be turf toe that tickles… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls basketball team pose at The Orleans Hotel upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)
Crimson Bears girls win season opener at Tarkanian Classic

JDHS among 48 girls’ teams playing in prestigious Las Vegas tournament.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose upon their arrival in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic Tournament. (Photo courtesy JDHS Crimson Bears)1
Crimson Bears boys fall in Las Vegas tournament opener

JDHS playing among some of nation’s top high school teams.

Evening walks are great. Put a few pounds in a backpack and you’ll increase the health benefits of light exercise. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Numbers worth noting

Everything is being reduced to numbers which my math department friends down… Continue reading

The Holiday Cup has been a community favorite event for years. This 2014 photo shows the Jolly Saint Kicks and Reigning Snowballs players in action. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Holiday Cup soccer action brings community spirit to the pitch

Every Christmas name imaginable heads a cast of futbol characters starting Wednesday.

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls and boys basketball teams pose above and below the new signage and plaque for the George Houston Gymnasium on Monday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
George Houston Gymnasium adds another touch of class

Second phase of renaming honor for former coach brings in more red.

Most Read