TMHS’ Bryson Echiverri drives toward the hoop and is closely defended by JDHS’ Tad Watson in the Region V 4A championship game. Echiverri was among three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)

TMHS’ Bryson Echiverri drives toward the hoop and is closely defended by JDHS’ Tad Watson in the Region V 4A championship game. Echiverri was among three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)

Three Juneau basketball players make all-state teams

Students from both local high schools earn honors

Three Juneau basketball players earned all-state honors.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kendyl Carson, Thunder Mountain High School’s Bryson Echiverri and JDHS’ Cooper Kriegmont all made the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches All-State Team for the 2019-2020 season.

“I feel that it’s a good decision. I can’t imagine an all-state team this year that she wouldn’t be on,” said the JDHS girls basketball coach Steve Potter in a phone interview, referencing Carson and her iron-nerved determination. “It’s the result of working really hard at basketball for a long time. She’s certainly been striving to achieve in basketball for as long as I’ve known her.”

Carson was selected for the 4A girls first team; Echeverri and Kriegmont are both on the 4A boys third team.

“He’s a talented player, both offensively and defensively. I’m glad to see he got recognition from the state for his talent,” said Thunder Mountain High School boys coach John Blasco in a phone interview, speaking of Echiverri. “I’m happy for Cooper (Kriegmont) too. He was definitely a tough opponent, and he will be next year. It really shows the strength of our region.”

[Region V 4A championship comes down to crosstown rivals]

JDHS boys coach Rob Casperson credited Kriegmont’s determination and off-season work preparing for his successes this season.

“I’m really happy for him. It’s great to be named as one of the top 15 players in the 4A level as a junior. I think it’s a pretty special honor,” Casperson said in a phone interview. “He spent a lot of extra time, he set some goals to change his body, and he was able to do that. That allowed him to handle the demands throughout the season. He came back lean and trim and ready to go.”

All of the coaches expressed disappointment at the abrupt termination of the post-season before TMHS boys and JDHS girls had a chance to compete for a state championship.

“It’s disappointing,” Potter said. “I think we were the only 4A girls team and Thunder Mountain was the only 4A boys team that qualified.”

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

Kendyl Carson hoists a shot during a win against Ketchikan during the Region V Basketball Tournament. She was one of three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)

Kendyl Carson hoists a shot during a win against Ketchikan during the Region V Basketball Tournament. She was one of three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)

Cooper Kriegmont works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Dec. 10, 2019. Kriegmont was one of three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Cooper Kriegmont works on his jump shot during boys varsity basketball practice at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Dec. 10, 2019. Kriegmont was one of three Juneau basketball players to earn all-state honors. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

More in Sports

Glacier Swim Club members, left-to-right, Cora Soboleff, Clara Van Kirk, Natalie MacKinnon, Ellie Higgins, Leon Ward, coach Lisa Jones, Zach Holden, Josh Ely and Henry Thatcher during the 2024 November Rain swim meet at Petersburg last weekend. (Photo courtesy Glacier Swim Club)
Glacier Swim Club competes at Petersburg’s November Rain

Juneau’s Glacier Swim Club participated in the November Rain Invitational swim meet… Continue reading

Current senior Kerra Baxter (22) shoots a free throw for now defunct Thunder Mountain High School in last season’s ASAA state championship 4th/6th place game against the Mountain City Christian Academy Lions. Baxter has signed to play Division II college basketball with the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Baxter will play for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé this season. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kerra Baxter signs to play for UAA Seawolves

Twin tower elects to stay in state and close to home fan base

The author's wife sets and checks game cameras as a way of continuing outdoor adventure with a baby at home. (Photo provided by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Appreciating the mini-adventure

With my left hand managing the 297 soft cover pages, I read.… Continue reading

The mango. The fruit of champions and of those that struggle with fruit. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Pure Sole: The mango

I knew I had to jump on the bandwagon right from the… Continue reading

Glacier Swim Club athletes Valerie Peimann, 16, Emma Fellman 18, and Lilly Francis, 15, at the 2024 Commonwealth Cup in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo courtesy of Glacier Swim Club)
Glacier Swim Club top athletes compete in Virginia

Fellman, Peimann and Francis bring small squad — but big results

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé 140-pound junior Marlin Cox wrestles during last weekend’s Lancer Smith Memorial Wrestling Tournament at Wasilla’s Menard Sports Center. (JDHS courtesy photo)
JDHS wrestlers get largest mat treatment of the season

Crimson Bears grapplers battle through Lancer Smith Memorial.

A male hooded merganser shows off his flashy plumage. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: Critter watching in fall

I like living in a place where I can encounter wild critters… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook battles for a puck with North Pole junior Hunter Simons (37) during the Crimson Bears’ 5-2 loss to the Patriots on Saturday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Unlucky bounces ice Crimson Bears in second game against North Pole

JDHS falls 5-2 in physical, penalty-laden loss to the visiting Patriots.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Evelyn Richards (8), sophomore Leila Cooper (7), senior Tatum Billings (3) and junior Cambry Lockhart (4) await a serve against Wasilla in a game earlier this season at the George Houston Gymnasium. The Crimson Bears season ended with two losses in the state tournament this weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Crimson Bears fall under Stars at state volleyball tournament

JDHS loses three straight sets to Soldotna in elimination match.

Most Read