High School Sports

Jarrell Williams sprints down the sidelines during a dominant win against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday, Oct. 15. Williams, who has been a standout at defensive back and quarterback this season, will square off against Colony High School, which boasts an exceptional defender and quarterback of its own, for a Division I state title on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Two-way stars will take center stage in state title game

In an Alaska high school football season filled with stars, these two have been out of this world.

Jarrell Williams sprints down the sidelines during a dominant win against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday, Oct. 15. Williams, who has been a standout at defensive back and quarterback this season, will square off against Colony High School, which boasts an exceptional defender and quarterback of its own, for a Division I state title on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Ashlyn Gates of Thunder Mountain High School deflects the ball past a Craig High School player during the Gold Bracket semi-final game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School on Saturday. TMHS, the top seed in the six-team bracket, lost the title game to Chugiak High School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS falls in ’epic’ JIVE finale to Chugiak

Local No. 1 seed falls short to rally by No. 2 team during two-day regional volleyball tournament

Ashlyn Gates of Thunder Mountain High School deflects the ball past a Craig High School player during the Gold Bracket semi-final game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School on Saturday. TMHS, the top seed in the six-team bracket, lost the title game to Chugiak High School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies advance to state championship game

Juneau will face Colony High School in Anchorage.

Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to line up in last week’s victory against South Anchorage High School.

Huskies host East with title berth on the line

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to line up in last week’s victory against South Anchorage High School.
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity girls cross-country team attempts a jumping photo after winning the second place title at state meet over the weekend, hosted in Anchorage by Bartlett High School. (Courtesy / Christy Newell)

Local cross-country teams bring the heat despite the cold at state meet

JDHS girls end the season with a second-place team finish

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity girls cross-country team attempts a jumping photo after winning the second place title at state meet over the weekend, hosted in Anchorage by Bartlett High School. (Courtesy / Christy Newell)
Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies set playoff points record against South Anchorage

Juneau on cloud 9-0.

Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Many merry after massive muddy meet

Juneau’s cross-country runners and coaches in sunny spirits about chances going into championships

A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates and JDHS’ Mila Hargrave both reach for the ball during the second set of a cross-town volleyball match held at JDHS on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS wins two cross-town matches

TMHS wins two cross-town matches

TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates and JDHS’ Mila Hargrave both reach for the ball during the second set of a cross-town volleyball match held at JDHS on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

5 TD’s power Juneau’s 6th win

Juneau football still undefeated on the season.

Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Senior MJ Topou (24) had his first big catch of the year against Colony High School in Anchorage with a 66-yard reception. The Huskies next host West Valley Eagles of Washington state on Friday at 7 p.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Friday night football returns to Juneau

Cook Inlet Conference’s top dogs welcome Washington state team

Senior MJ Topou (24) had his first big catch of the year against Colony High School in Anchorage with a 66-yard reception. The Huskies next host West Valley Eagles of Washington state on Friday at 7 p.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Huskies on Friday improved their record to 4-0 with all wins coming within the Cook Inlet Conference. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies run wild in win over Colony

337 yards for Jamal Johnson.

The Huskies on Friday improved their record to 4-0 with all wins coming within the Cook Inlet Conference. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jarrell Williams streaks down the sideline for Juneau's second touchdown of the game. The Huskies are now 3-0 on the season with each win coming against other Cook Inlet Conference teams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies remain undefeated after win against West Anchorage

A victory 21-years in the making

Jarrell Williams streaks down the sideline for Juneau's second touchdown of the game. The Huskies are now 3-0 on the season with each win coming against other Cook Inlet Conference teams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / JDHS soccer The JDHS boys soccer team overcame a 2-0 lead against TMHS to win the state title, including three goals by a freshman player.

JDHS boys coach talks 4-2 championship comeback win

Things were looking dire for the eventual winners.

Courtesy photo / JDHS soccer The JDHS boys soccer team overcame a 2-0 lead against TMHS to win the state title, including three goals by a freshman player.
Courtesy photo / Myra Pugh The JDHS girls soccer team swept to victory in the DII state championship on Saturday without a single goal being scored against them in the tournament.

JDHS teams sweep state soccer championships

No one could stand before the Crimson Bears.

Courtesy photo / Myra Pugh The JDHS girls soccer team swept to victory in the DII state championship on Saturday without a single goal being scored against them in the tournament.
JDHS players and fans recognized seniors Tias Carney, Sam Marnon, Callan Smith, Zayden Schijvens, Samuel Holst, Andre Peirovi, Owen Costello, Ahmed Mezel, Solomon Alper, Will Rehfeldt and Ben Goldstein during senior night on May 22, 2022. They’ll play their final high school games together this week at the state tournament in Anchorage. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau soccer teams celebrate their seniors

For many, their final high school games come this week at the state tournament.

JDHS players and fans recognized seniors Tias Carney, Sam Marnon, Callan Smith, Zayden Schijvens, Samuel Holst, Andre Peirovi, Owen Costello, Ahmed Mezel, Solomon Alper, Will Rehfeldt and Ben Goldstein during senior night on May 22, 2022. They’ll play their final high school games together this week at the state tournament in Anchorage. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Blake Plummer, left, and Sophia Pugh, both JDHS girls soccer players, sign their letters of intent to play for Peninsula College and the Pratt Institute respectively on May 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer players sign for college teams on opposite coasts

The two have played together for years, playing key roles for JDHS.

Blake Plummer, left, and Sophia Pugh, both JDHS girls soccer players, sign their letters of intent to play for Peninsula College and the Pratt Institute respectively on May 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
JDHS basketball player Trinity Jackson signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Skagit Valley College on May 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS player signs to play Skagit Valley basketball

New college, same colors.

JDHS basketball player Trinity Jackson signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Skagit Valley College on May 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Scores at a glance for the week of Apr. 25

Quick recaps for local teams.

JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

TMHS and JDHS tie 4-4 in fierce match

It’s been a bruising and competitive season so far.

JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
JDHS athlete Robbie Gabel throws the shot put during a practice at TMHS on April 14, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Big teams, talented athletes: Track and field teams ready to race

Their first official meet is coming soon.

JDHS athlete Robbie Gabel throws the shot put during a practice at TMHS on April 14, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)