Sports

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
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)
Cody Mitchell (Courtesy Photo | Crow Fox Photography)

Player of the Week: Cody Mitchell

The Crimson Bears’ backbone.

Cody Mitchell (Courtesy Photo | Crow Fox Photography)
Prep hoops teams dominate weekend play

Prep hoops teams dominate weekend play

Get caught up on your favorite teams.

Prep hoops teams dominate weekend play
Juneau-Douglas swept by Soldotna after coasting past Kenai

Juneau-Douglas swept by Soldotna after coasting past Kenai

The highs and lows of hockey.

Juneau-Douglas swept by Soldotna after coasting past Kenai
Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Jacob Ferster pins East Anchorage’s Ikaska Vaivai in the second round of the 215-pound consolation bracket of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Division I State Wrestling Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain grapplers 13th at state tournament

Derek Mason goes out swinging.

Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Jacob Ferster pins East Anchorage’s Ikaska Vaivai in the second round of the 215-pound consolation bracket of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Division I State Wrestling Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood drives between North Pole’s Megan Grant, right, and Breeauna O’Rear at JDHS on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 62-32. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tuckwood lifts Crimson Bears past Patriots

The cross country phenom can ball.

Juneau-Douglas’ Sadie Tuckwood drives between North Pole’s Megan Grant, right, and Breeauna O’Rear at JDHS on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Juneau-Douglas won 62-32. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain’s Iayanah Brewer, left, and teammate Tasi Fenumiai, right, battle for the ball against North Pole’s Alex Hodal, front, and Claire Richmond at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Falcons burst into season with blowout

The Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball team pulled a rare first-quarter stunt in their season opener against North Pole. With about two minutes left… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Iayanah Brewer, left, and teammate Tasi Fenumiai, right, battle for the ball against North Pole’s Alex Hodal, front, and Claire Richmond at TMHS on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sadie Tuckwood, center and Chloe McAdams, right, apply pressure to Bailey Wery-Tagaban during Juneau-Douglas High School girls varsity practice on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls all in for dethroning the Lady Kings

JDHS girls basketball season preview.

Sadie Tuckwood, center and Chloe McAdams, right, apply pressure to Bailey Wery-Tagaban during Juneau-Douglas High School girls varsity practice on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears shut out Kenai on the ice

Crimson Bears shut out Kenai on the ice

Juneau-Douglas hockey defeats Kenai Central 7-0 on the road.

Crimson Bears shut out Kenai on the ice
Mary Khaye Garcia shoots over teammate Sydney Strong during early morning girls basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Basketball Preview: Preparation, experience could be difference makers for TMHS girls

No longer a one-trick pony.

Mary Khaye Garcia shoots over teammate Sydney Strong during early morning girls basketball practice at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sophomore Jake Ferster, top, workouts against senior Derek Mason during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Player of the Week: Derek Mason

Derek Mason is the Juneau Empire player of the week. Mason, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, won the Region V Wrestling Championships 215-pound… Continue reading

Sophomore Jake Ferster, top, workouts against senior Derek Mason during Thunder Mountain High School’s wrestling team practice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)