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Saturday January 09, 2016
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team nearly matched Juneau-Douglas High School through three quarters of action on Friday, but it wasn’t able to overcome a sizeable first quarter deficit or a height disadvantage in the paint.
The Crimson Bears (5-2) bested the Falcons (3-1) on their home court 66-47 by limiting opportunities inside during a fast-paced contest that included lots of scoring, fouling and free throws by both teams.
“These region games are so hotly contested,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “… I wasn’t comfortable with that game until the last three minutes because I know they have guys who can get going fairly quickly.”
JDHS forward Kaleb Tompkins and guard Guy Bean led all scorers with 17 each. Starting point guard Treyson Ramos contributed six. The Crimson Bears depth was one of its greatest advantages, with Ulix Bohulano scoring nine coming off the bench, Kolby Hoover adding seven and Erik Kelly contributing five.
“I felt like it was going pretty good,” Tompkins said of his team’s performance. “My teammates really stepped it up today and we got a victory. (TMHS) did a pretty good job (on defense), so I just tried to contribute. Guy Bean did most of the scoring, so I just tried to do what I can.”
JDHS’s 6-foot-7 center Bryce Swofford limited what the Falcons could do down low, blocking four shots in the first three quarters. The Crimson Bears also controlled the boards and limited the Falcons to a single shot.
“Would you go in there with 6-5 and 6-7?” TMHS coach John Blasco said. “They take away the paint with the big bodies, they’re shot blockers.”
TMHS forward Luke Clark lead his team with 13 points, followed by Chase Saviers with 11, Josh McAndrews with five, and Shane Mielke and Noah Rieshus-O’Brien added four each.
Both teams combined for 47 fouls leading to 57 shots from the free throw line on the night.
TMHS came out ready to compete, matching baskets with JDHS through the first four minutes of play to trail 11-8. Then JDHS broke off an 11-1 run late in the quarter to end the first period up 22-9.
JDHS’s Tompkins scored 11 of his team’s first 13 points. TMHS’s Saviers scored seven of his team’s nine points in the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter, however, the fouls had racked up and both teams were in the bonus.
“That’s high school kids playing hard, they’re giving it everything they’ve got,” Casperson said. “Sometimes they lose control and bang into each other.”
The Crimson Bears started the second quarter with a 12-6 run when Thunder Mountain pushed back with an 8-2 run of its own behind 3-pointers from Reishus-O’Brien and Clark, and a layup by Finn Collins to end the half at 36-23.
“A perimeter team is going to live and die by the three,” Blasco said. “We got good looks … but they didn’t fall. Once you get down by double digits, your mindset changes. We changed a few things defensively (after the first quarter), but a lot of it was the energy, nervousness in the first quarter. It’s our first home game in front of a large crowd and the kids were all excited. They’re a very tough matchup for us.”
In the third quarter, it was the Crimson Bears’ Bean who led the charge, scoring 10 in the quarter by slashing through the lane and scooping in layups. The Falcons kept pace, with Saviers knocking down four free throws, Josh McAndrews sank a 3-pointer and Clark knocked down two long-range jumpers to end the quarter 51-36. By the end of the third, both teams were in the bonus again and three Crimson Bears players were in foul trouble.
JDHS started the fourth with an 11-1 run to put the game out of reach midway through the fourth quarter for its largest lead of the game. The Falcons scored only three field goals in the quarter while shooting 5-of-8 from the free throw line. JDHS also had three field goals but shot 9-of-11 from the free throw line after struggling from the charity stripe earlier in the game.
“We had a few more layups go in, … so that made a difference for us later in the game,” Casperson said. “And they had to start shooting more jumpers that weren’t going in. If they hit a few of those shots along the way, the tone of that fourth quarter completely changes.”
JDHS made 21 field goals on the night, two from 3-point distance, and shot 18-of-35 from the free throw line. The Falcons made nine field goals, four from long range, and hit 17 of 24 free throws. Two of the Crimson Bears’ starters, Hunter Hickock and Ramos, fouled out in the fourth, as did reserve player Molo Maka.
“I like the depth of my bench, if we can stay in the game,” Blasco said. “We got a few players of theirs in foul trouble, but then their others players stepped up. Ulix (Bohulano) had a nice game, Kolby (Hoover) had a nice game, so their bench stepped up to cover them when they were in foul trouble.
The Crimson Bears and Falcons play again at 8 p.m. Saturday. Due to press deadlines that game won’t appear in the Sunday edition, but fans can read it online at juneauempire.com.
Tompkins, Bean lead Crimson Bears over host Falcons - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
TMHS's Luke Clark leads team with 13 points in rivalry game
Friday January 08, 2016
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team will host Juneau-Douglas High School on Friday and Saturday, giving the Falcons their toughest test so far this season.
The Falcons (3-0) will play the Crimson Bears (4-2) at 8 p.m. both nights.
TMHS won the Little Norway Tournament held in Petersburg in December, easily routing smaller schools such as Haines, Petersburg and Cordova.
Even though TMHS boasts a perfect record, it’s JDHS who has faced stiffer competition so far this year, playing two 4A schools from the Lower 48 — Coronado (Nevada) and Kentlake (Washington). The Crimson Bears lost to Coronado 72-53 during the Doc Larson’s Round Ball Classic in Wasilla, and Kentlake staged a late fourth-quarter comeback in the championship game of the Capital City Classic at JDHS.
Both teams feature high-powered offenses and lead scorers who have put up more than 30 points in a single game this season. JDHS’s Kaleb Tompkins scored 31 against Wasillas, and TMHS’s Chase Saviers had 33 against Cordova.
JDHS has the height advantage, with 6-foot-7 Bryce Swofford in the post, 6-foot-5 Tompkins at the wing and 6-foot-4 Erik Kelly providing a spark off the bench down low.
JV games will start at 6:15 p.m. both days, and C team games will start at 4 p.m.
Crosstown basketball rivalry - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
Let the crosstown rivalry begin (again).
Thursday December 31, 2015
The Kentlake Falcons stole the Capital City Classic championship on Wednesday.
Literally.
Trailing 43-42 with less than three minutes on the clock, the visiting Falcons scored eight unanswered points, six of those off of three consecutive steals, for a 53-48 victory against Juneau-Douglas High School at home.
“When we got it and we were up by one, I was trying to get us to slow down and gather themselves ... and they did what they needed to do,” Kentlake coach Godfrey Drake said.
The Crimson Bears (4-2) fought until the end, coming up with two key steals of their own to close the gap to three points with less than a minute remaining.
JDHS senior forward Kaleb Tompkins put up a desperation 3-pointer while trying to draw a foul with seconds left on the clock, but the shot bounced off the rim. Kentlake’s Julion Mackey was fouled on the next possession and knocked down two free throws to seal the win.
“We had some mental lapses at some pretty inopportune times, especially late in the game,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “The one thing I was really proud of is the guys kept playing through it and battled, and we hit some shots in the last minute and a half that kept us in it.”
Tompkins led all scorers with 24 points on the night, including nine from long range, and he was 3-of-5 from the free-throw line. Senior guard Guy Bean added 10 and senior center Hunter Hickock had five points. Sophomore guard Kolby Hoover added a spark off the bench late in the game, scoring four of his six points in the final quarter.
Kentlake senior forward Austin McBryde, who was named tournament MVP, led the Falcons with 18 points. Mackey and Trey Helgeson added eight points each. Kevin Baker contributed seven and Justin Olson six.
JDHS jumped out to a 9-0 lead to start the game with Tompkins scoring six of those points. Kentlake switched from a half-court to full-court trap, forcing turnovers and clawing back to a 16-9 score at the end of the first quarter.
“We were playing out of character, and Juneau-Douglas did a great job coming out,” Drake said.
The Falcons’ momentum continued into the second quarter, with Kentlake going on an 8-0 run to take the lead, 17-16, with six minutes remaining. From there both teams exchange baskets. Bean sank a short jumper and Tompkins made a free throw for a 26-23 advantage at the half.
Kentlake started the third quarter with a 12-0 run by scoring off of turnovers and offensive rebounds to jump ahead 35-26. JDHS then went on a 10-1 run of its own to end the third quarter tied at 36-36.
“They did a really nice job being aggressive and it was a great high school basketball game,” Casperson said. “That’s a good team and they play in a tough league. They have some good athletes. Games like this help us prepare for our season and our conference.”
Kentlake shot 9-of-17 from the free throw line and made 19 field goals and two from long range. JDHS was 5-of-11 from the charity stripe and hit 14 field goals and five from 3-point range.
Kentlake steals Classic crown - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
JDHS's Tompkins leads all scorers with 24 points in back-and-forth game
Wednesday December 30, 2015
The Sitka Wolves bent but refused to break in game that was closer than the final score would indicate.
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team scored 20 points or more in every quarter on Tuesday during day two of the Capital City Classic to best Sitka 81-63 at home.
JDHS senior guard Guy Bean scored 11 of the Crimson Bears’ first 13 points on his way to a game-high 24 points on the night.
“I was just hot, I don’t really know how to describe it,” Bean said. “I was just confident of my shot. Coach told us to take higher-percentage shots, so that was part of it, and then we started trapping and we got a lot of steals and fast-break opportunities that led to layups.”
JDHS senior guard Treyson Ramos scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half to energize the Crimson Bears. Senior Kaleb Tompkins had 13 points on the night and sophomore forward Erik Kelly added 12 off the bench.
“These guys are pretty dynamic,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “Treyson brought a lot of life to the team today, a lot of energy and he had a really great game for us.”
Said Bean: “Most of the time it is Kaleb, he’s our leading scorer for sure, but when he’s not doing it somebody else can do it. We have a full team of scorers.”
The Crimson Bears had no solution for stopping Sitka’s 6-foot-7 junior Jesse Lantiegne down low. Lantiegne had 20 points, about half coming from offensive rebounds, and senior Tevin Bayne caught a hot-hand in the second half, scoring 16 of his team-high 22 points.
“They’re a very good team. They’re a quality team and a good opponent for us to get early in the season,” Casperson said. “They tested us in different ways. Bayne did a real nice job for them tonight and (Lantiegne) was difficult inside. We’ll see them three more times this season.”
Sitka coach Andy Lee said Tuesday’s game was a “measuring stick” for his team, which plays in the 3A division. JDHS is 4A.
“We never quit,” Lee said. “Now we have a measuring stick, and we hope to build on this. At the end of the day, we did things today to prepare for our competition. We went out and got great competition and played to the end. I saw good things from our team from a competitive standpoint.”
Lee also said he was pleased with what he saw from Lantiegne, who was the dominant big man on the night.
“He’s growing leaps and bounds and teams are having to focus on him, and he has to learn to respond to being doubled and trippled,” he said. “We’ve got a horse to ride, and we just have to figure out we can’t ride him to death and you have to be selective. In the second half we didn’t do as good a job as we could have giving him the ball.”
The Crimson Bears took an early 20-15 lead after the first quarter, and extended it to 40-29 at halftime. But the Wolves refused to let the game get out of hand until the final minutes of the contest, trading baskets with JDHS for most of the next two quarters. Sitka cut the lead to 68-58 with five minutes remaining, but that was the closest they would get.
“That experience is shining through,” Casperson said. “You can’t fake confidence. For a high school team to get up into the 80s in a competitive game, that doesn’t happen often.”
JDHS shot 7-of-12 from the free throw line, with Sitka making 4-of-18.
KENTLAKE 82, HYDABURG 27
Kentlake High School scored more points in the first quarter than out-matched Hydaburg scored the entire game.
Led by Austin McBryde’s game-high 18 points, Kentlake, of Washington, had little trouble besting Hydaburg, 82-27.
Kentlake took a 48-23 lead into the half, and extended it to 76-27 after three. Hydaburg was held scoreless in the fourth.
Trey Helgseson had 14 for Kentlake, followed by 13 from Kevin Baker and nine from Justin Olson. Sidney Warren-Edenshaw and Nick Nix led Hydaburg with six points each.
Bean leads JDHS over Sitka - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
Senior guard scores 24 in 81-63 win
Tuesday December 29, 2015
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team started this week’s Capital City Classic by showcasing its offensive firepower.
The Crimson Bears exploded for 22 first-quarter points and 25 more in the third en route to a 76-35 drumming of Hydaburg.
“They stuck it out,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said of Hydaburg. “They knew they were going to be challenged. I doubt they’ll see the same kind of size we present as they move into their season.”
Kaleb Tompkins led JDHS with 16 points on the night, followed by Erik Kelly with 15, Guy Bean with 12, and Treyson Ramos and and Ulyz Bohulano with six each. Hydaburg’s Sidney Warren-Edenshaw led all scorers with 18.
With the game well in hand, the Crimson Bears’ starters sat the fourth quarter and part of the third. The bench kept the scoring pace going, however.
Casperson said his team’s ability to score using multiple players is what sets this squad apart from others he’s coached.
“One of the things we have is guys that can score,” he said. “Some teams have one or two, but we’ve got three or four who can tally 20 points in a game. And I don’t think any of them care who scores. They’re selfless and do a good job looking for each other.”
Eleven of the Crimson Bears’ 12 players made it into the scorebook on Monday.
“In games like that, it gives you an opportunity to work on things,” Casperson said. “Because nobody is looking for blowouts. We appreciate Hydaburg coming here as a smaller school.”
JDHS jumped to a 22-10 lead after the first quarter, then extended it to 39-22 at halftime. Nine different players found the net in the third to extend the lead to 64-30.
JDHS plays again tonight at 7 p.m., with the girls team playing at 5 p.m. Action concludes Wednesday.
KENTLAKE 70, SITKA 56
Kentlake jumped out to an early 23-11 lead over the Sitka Wolves on Monday and never looked back on its way to a 70-56 victory during the first day of the Capital City Classic.
Austin McBryde and Trey Helgeson led all scorers with 16 points each, followed by Kevin Baker and Julion Mackey with 12 each, and Michael Alar with 10. Jesse Lantiegne led Sitka with 15 points, followed by Braden Case with 14 and Tevin Bayne with eight.
Kentlake held a 35-29 lead at the half, and 53-37 at the end of the third.
JDHS rolls over Hydaburg - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
Kaleb Tompkins leads Crimson Bears with 16, Hydaburg's Warren-Edenshaw scores 18
Sunday December 27, 2015
http://AlaskaSports.tv.
Live Streaming at the Capital City Classic!
Check out the following website for your chance to see the action from the Juneau-Douglas High School gymnasium during the 24th Annual Capital City Classic.
Friday December 25, 2015
The first home basketball game of the season will be Saturday when the Thunder Mountain High School girls varsity teams hosts Chugiak at home at 8 p.m. Also Saturday is the Juneau-Douglas High School alumni hockey game from at 7 p.m. at Treadwell Ice Arena. There is no admission cost to attend.
On Sunday, the 2015 Capital City Classic kicks off with a 3-point shooting contest and slam dunk contest at 3 p.m. in the JDHS gym. The opening banquet will start at 7:30 p.m. in the JDHS commons.
Boys teams competing in this year’s Classic are JDHS, Kentlake, Sitka and Hydaburg. Girls teams include JDHS, Kenai, Chugiak and Sitka.
Games will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, with Kenai versus Chugiak in girls competition, and will end Wednesday, Dec. 30, in a boys matchup with JDHS taking on Kentlake. Awards will be handed out at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Editor’s note: The Juneau Empire is working to meet early deadlines during the holidays, meaning Capital City Classic game coverage will appear online the morning after but will not appear in print until two days after the contest.
CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC
GAME & EVENT SCHEDULE
Sunday, Dec. 27
3 p.m. - 3-point and dunk contest
Monday, Dec. 28
1 p.m. - Kenai v. Chugiak (girls)
3 p.m. - Kentlake v. Sitka (boys)
5 p.m. - JDHS v. Sitka (girls)
7 p.m. - JDHS v. Hydaburg (boys)
Tuesday, Dec. 29
1 p.m. - Sitka v. Chugiak (girls)
3 p.m. - Hydaburg v. Kentlake (boys)
5 p.m. - JDHS v. Kenai (girls)
7 p.m. - JDHS v. Sitka (boys)
Wednesday, Dec. 30
1 p.m. - Kenai v. Sitka (girls)
3 p.m. - Hydaburg v. Sitka (boys)
5 p.m. - JDHS v. Chugiak (girls)
7 p.m. - JDHS v. Kentlake (boys)
8:30 p.m. - Awards
Christmas coming late for prep sports fans - Juneau Empire
Christmas will come a day late for local sports fans, but it will continue to deliver through the next week.
Sunday December 20, 2015
Kaleb Tompkins did it all on Saturday to lift Juneau-Douglas High School over host Wasilla during the final day of the Doc Larson’s Round Ball Classic.
The 6-5 senior guard scored a game-high 31 points, with 14 in the final quarter, to lead the Crimson Bears over the Warriors 69-57 in Wasilla. Tompkins also pulled down 13 rebounds and dished out four assists on the night.
“Once you see a couple shots go in, the basket gets a little bigger,” JDHS head coach Robert Casperson said. “We got into some foul trouble, so that moved Kaleb to a position where he could post up a little more. He’s tried to expand that part of his game and today was the first time he was able to use it. He has soft hands and a great touch around the basket.”
JDHS point guard Treyson Ramos was second in scoring with 13, followed by Guy Bean with 10, and Bryce Swofford and Kolby Hoover with six each. Ramos also had four assists with just one turnover and had four steals for the game, and Swofford pulled down eight rebounds.
“I feel like tonight is the first time we’ve seen Treyson play this year,” Casperson said. “Tonight we got to see him shine a little bit and the other guys fed off his energy. He seemed comfortable and relaxed tonight.”
Wasilla’s Daniel Headdings led his team with 18 points.
The Warriors had problems finding the net in the first half, including from the free throw line where they made just 3-of-9, allowing the Crimson Bears to build a 28-18 lead at halftime. The Warriors blew up in the third quarter with a 22-point effort to cut the deficit to 45-40, but Juneau-Douglas (2-1) was saving its best for last.
“It was real tight up through three quarters, but we kept on them and it was really nice to see us take advantage of our opportunites,” Casperson said. “I saw growth tonight … in handling the ball down the stretch and we tried to take high-percentage shots.”
JDHS won the turnover war, giving up the ball 13 times compared to 19 for Wasilla, while making 43 percent of its shots on 26-of-60 shooting. Wasilla was 21-of-51 from the floor (41 percent). The Crimson Bears also were best at the free throw line (12-of-16 versus 11-of-19) and from long range (5-of-7 compared to 4-of-13).
The Crimson Bears will play in its annual alumni game Dec. 23 before the Capital City Classic kicks off Dec. 27 with a slam dunk and three-point contest. Games will commence the following day. The alumni game and contests leading up to the Capital City Classic are open to the public.
Tompkins shines in win over Wasilla - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
JDHS senior guard scores 31, pulls down 13 rebounds
Saturday December 19, 2015
Coronado, a team from Henderson, Nevada, made 11 3-point shots to best the Crimson Bears 72-53 during the Doc Larson’s Round Ball Classic in Wasilla.
Coronado guard Trey Hurlbut scored 18 of his game-high 26 points from long distance. Kennedy Koehler added 18 points in the winning effort, 12 coming from 3-point range.
The Crimson Bears (1-1) Caleb Tompkins led his team with 18 on the night, followed by 14 from Guy Bean, eight from Bryce Swofford and seven from Kolby Hoover. Jordan Milligan and Sebastian Bradley scored two each. Overall the team made eight shots from long range — three each from Tompkins and Bean and two from Swofford.
The Cougars took a 40-33 lead ending the half, and were up up 58-42 after three quarters.
JDHS boys fall to Coronado - Juneau Empire
The three-point arc was kinder to the Coronado boys basketball team than it was to Juneau-Douglas on Friday night.
Friday December 18, 2015
The Juneau-Douglas boys basketball team rallied from a late deficit by torching West High School for 20 points in the fourth quarter to open its season with a victory Thursday.
Trailing 52-43 after three quarters, the Crimson Bears outscored the Eagles 20-10 in the fourth for a 63-62 victory at Wasilla High School during the Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic.
“I told them that with the way we could score, nine points wasn’t a whole lot ... if we could commit to defense,” JDHS head coach Robert Casperson said. “We had to get some stops defensively.”
Stopping the Eagles was no easy matter, as the Crimson Bears were also facing last year’s 4A Player of the Year in guard Da’Zhon Wyche, who was held to just 15 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field.
“We didn’t necessarily limit his touches, but in half court we tried to get the ball out of his hands,” Casperson said of Wyche. “We were trying to make somebody else beat us.”
The Crimson Bears had the more experienced team heading into the contest, returning four starters from last year’s squad with Teyson Ramos, Kaleb Tompkins, Bryce Swofford and Guy Bean. Bean led all scorers with 20 points, followed by 18 from Tompkins, 13 from Swofford and six points from Ramos, who also dished out seven assists. Swofford also pulled in a team-high nine rebounds.
New to the Crimson Bears lineup is starting center Hunter Hickock, a football standout for the Crimson Bears who scored four points and pulled down six rebounds in his basketball debut.
“Hunter was a very big presence inside,” Casperson said. “Caleb and Guy took the shots they were able to get, and Treyson did a nice job distributing the ball.”
Casperson said turnovers were an issue all game, with JDHS and West both giving up the ball 20 times each, but he praised the “basketball IQ” of his team and saw promise from six players who were playing in their first varsity basketball game ever.
“My hope, my vision for this group, is that there will be a lot less of me involved and more of them,” he said.
The Crimson Bears made 49 percent of their shots compared to 41 percent for West, and outrebounded the Eagles 36 to 34.
Next up is Coronado at 5 p.m. today. Games can be watched live-streamed from the Wasilla High School “Cube” site.
JDHS boys rally over West in opener - Juneau Empire by Charles L. Westmoreland
Guy Bean leads all scorers with 20 points
Monday November 02, 2015
We have an incredible schedule this season that includes 23 regular season games (22 + 1 ASAA Endowment). We will have 9 road games and 14 home games. The season kicks off on the road against the defending 4A state champions (West Anchorage Eagles) at the Doc Larson Roundball Classic in Wasilla, December 17-19.
Our first home games of the season will occur during the Capital City Classic December 27-30. The remainder of our home schedule will include Service, Kodiak, Sitka, Mt. Edgecumbe, and our conference opponents, Ketchikan and Thunder Mountain all making the trip to the JDHS gymnasium.
The 2015-2016 Schedule has been released!
Click on the "Varsity Schedule" link in the "Varsity Team" drop down menu.
Thursday October 08, 2015
“Get the cane out of your mouth and blow the whistle.”
“Put your glasses on you are missing a good game.”
“The doctor called, your glasses are ready.”
It is a hard job to be an official.
“We will take all the guys, or girls, we can get,” Juneau-Douglas Officials Association (JDOA) Umpire in Chief Joel Osburn said. “We don’t know if there are any varsity level officials out there. We are just looking to develop new officials really.”
While most think because they love the game, or are passionate fans, or their child plays the sport, that they know the rules, regulations and can see every call from the fifth roll of bleachers better than the bearer of the striped shirt and whistle, they had better think again.
“It probably takes somebody, who has played the game, about four years of dedication to get to the varsity level,” Osburn said. “You can do it in three probably but you are starting out doing women’s games and things like that. It just takes a while to become an official. It is like in high school trying to make varsity right out of junior high.”
The JDOA is in need of basketball officials for the 2015-16 season. They will provide training, rules clinics and written testing to assist possible officials in obtaining and maintaining Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) certification.
“I don’t know anybody that thinks reffing is easy, especially in basketball,” Osburn said. “Basketball is the highest paced sport with probably the most whistles of any sport out there. You don’t hear any other officials blow their whistles as much as you do in basketball, as far as I know, maybe in cricket, I don’t know. We are blowing whistles all the time. We have to be in position for any number of things. It is very quick operation. You have to know the rules and how the game is played.”
Osburn has been an official for 10 years at the high school level.
“We really need entry-level positions,” Osburn said. “We need people who are willing to come in and work games at the C team and JV level.”
First year officials generally start with middle school or high school C team action and can work JV games sometime during their first year. Even some of the JV boy’s games can get pretty hot and heavy.
“Last year we put a first year ref on a JV game and we probably shouldn’t have,” Osburn said. “Really what you want to see a first year official do is work a lot of city league games with another high school mentor official.
“Anyone needs to have a little bit of a thick skin,” Osburn said. “But I think it comes down to more of just working on your people skills. The main thing is you have to have the hustle and desire to do a good job every game. Just like everything else, such as a quarterback throwing an interception, you have to be able to put those things into the back of your mind when you make a bad call or a no call. You pick those things up over time.”
Osburn said stepping out on the court for the first time can be intimidating for people but they do get used to it. City league players generally give first year officials a hard time but all officials have had to deal with that and the JDOA always partners new officials up with a mentor.
Osburn’s most memorable heckle was not his own.
“We had an official who wears glasses and it was an early morning region game,” Osburn said. “The coach’s wife was heckling him and she yelled something like ‘Hey ref, I think you need a new prescription’ or something like that. He just laughed it off. He actually looked up in the stands and gave her the thumbs up. You have to have a sense of humor. The best thing about our group is that pretty much we all have a sense of humor.”
Long-time Juneau referee Bob Sims grew up playing football and basketball in high school at Moscow, Idaho and decided that officiating was a good way to give back to a community and stay active.
“Number one it is the best seat in the house,” Sims said. “Number two if you have played before then it is a good way to get exercise. What I like to do is give back to the community so that is another reason, plus it keeps me in pretty good shape. If you have played before it is a good way to continue in the game most people love.”
Sims was a Gold Medal referee from 1983-87 and was elected to the GM Hall of Fame in 2007 for radio play-by-play broadcasting. He currently officiates high school volleyball, basketball, softball and football, as well as college softball.
“You always hear the comments like, ‘shake your head, your eyes are stuck’ and things like that,” Sims said. “There are funnier things. Most of the time I just tune the fans out. Normally it has to do with an official’s eyesight, that is what fans yell at most officials.”
They boo, too, and Sims was the recipient of such in a 2001 basketball game between Juneau-Douglas and Ketchikan high schools.
The Crimson Bears’ Suzanne Parr fouled Ketchikan’s Kelly Nausid with 0.6 seconds remaining before halftime while Nausid was in the act of shooting outside the 3-point arc.
The call was not popular with the crowd and before Nausid stepped to the line for her three free throws, Sims warned the crowd that any further obscene comments directed toward the officials would result in a technical foul on Juneau.
Sims had to think long and hard as to his most memorable contest officiated.
“I have been a state tournament official in all four sports,” Sims said. “I can remember when Boozer and that group of kids were playing. By the time they were sophomores and juniors, literally if you did not come to a C squad game you did not find a seat in the house.”
Another of his most vivid memories was working the 1995 World Police and Fire Games softball championship in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, between the Los Angeles Police Department and the New York City Fire Department.
“The final score was, like, 52-48,” Sims said.
The games were akin to the Olympics. The officials were put in formation with the teams and marched out into the Calgary Saddle Dome, where the CFL plays.
“The thing that makes that memorable is that when I was in the airport in Calgary coming home I was talking to three guys that worked for the NYC fire department,” Sims said. “It was a good talk and we exchanged email addresses.”
The three men would be among the first responders when terrorists targeted the World Trade Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Two of the three perished on that day.
“As far as sports, those days in Calgary are some of my most poignant memories,” Sims said.
Sims recently returned from Oklahoma City where he officiated in the Amateur Softball Association/USA National Slow Pitch Championships.
Last season he worked the medium school football state championship game between Soldotna and North Pole as the “White Hat,” or referee.
On Oct. 17, he will travel to Anchorage to work that game as the line judge.
“Those are pretty good memories as well,” Sims said. “To be able to work state championship games.”
In Juneau, an official may not always be popular, but they will be in demand. Currently the JDOA is conducting classes every Tuesday through October and on Nov. 3, from 6-8 p.m. in Room C-105 at Thunder Mountain High School. Those interested in participating can contact Osburn at 209-7897.
“We are looking for anybody who is interested in basketball officiating,” Osburn said. “We will find a place to put you.”
As one fan yelled during the 2015 Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, “You must be blind! Even your dog is shaking his head over that call.”
THE JDOA CODE
OF CONDUCT:
1. Officials shall be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of sports competitions.
2. Official shall hold and maintain the basic tenets of officiating, which include history, integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion and tactfulness.
3. Officials shall master both rules of the game and mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.
4. Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interactions with athletes, coaches, colleagues and the public.
5. Officials shall display and execute superior communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal.
6. Officials shall recognize that anything, which may lead to a conflict of interest, either real or apparent, must be avoided. Anything, which may compromise the perceived impartiality of officiating, must be avoided.
7. Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession.
8. Officials shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to officiating, officiating assignments or to association membership. This includes selection for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex, physical handicap, country or national origin.
9. Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations.
10. Officials shall work with each other and their governing bodies in a constructive and cooperative manner.
11. Officials shall resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position as an official to benefit oneself.
12. Officials shall never participate in any form of illegal gambling on sports contests, may never gamble on any sporting event in which they have either a direct or indirect involvement.
13. Officials shall not make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications, rating, credentials, experience, training or competence.
14. Officials shall accept responsibility for all actions taken.
Refereeing is not easy - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Basketball officials needed for the upcoming season in the capital city
Monday October 05, 2015
Hot Dog Fundrasier a Great Success!
Thank you, Juneau, for your generous support this weekend at the "showdown" hot dog fundraiser between the Thunder Mountain and Juneau-Douglas boys basketball teams at Mendenhall Auto. The friendly competition was great opportunity for the boys to interact with the community. By dropping in and donating to the cause you helped us raise enough money to earn the $1000 bonus donation from Mendenhall Auto.
Monday July 13, 2015
The coach would like to congratulate nearly 200 campers on two phenomenal weeks of basketball. Camp 1 had 130 participants in 2nd – 8th grades. Camp 2 had 65 participants in 8th – 12th grades. This year’s camp drew participants from all over Southeast and included a few players from as far away as Montana and Arizona. He was impressed with the excitement, intensity, and improvement in all the players that attended the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp. Coach Casperson also believes the coaching staff did an incredible job of delivering high quality instruction on the fundamentals of basketball.
In addition to basketball, the camp emphasized the importance of making healthy life choices. Time was included during camp for special presenters to address multiple topics. Former JDHS high school and Yakima Valley college player, Austin Shoemaker, discussed the importance of working through life’s challenges and goal setting with the campers. Brice Searles spoke about the work ethic and academic requirements necessary to be eligible for college athletics. Coach Casperson discussed the Coaching Boys into Men program and shared information on staying away from drugs and alcohol.
The Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp will return in June of 2016.
College Division Special Awards:
Free Throw Champion: MacKenzie Campbell
League Champs: Duke – Charlee Lewis, Shaye Jensen, Meghna Bathija, Cristina Arehart, Raekwon Razor, Marcos Yadao, Kasey Hamrick, and Sonora Bell
Best Passer: Marcos Yadao
Best Defense: Kasey Hamrick
Station Master: Cristina Arehart
Most Hustle: Aishwarya Cozby
Most Improved: Gustavus (given as a team award)
Best Rebounder: Antonia Fogg
Most Valuable Player: Brandt Hultberg
All-Stars: Antonia Fogg, MacKenzie Campbell, Brandt Hultberg, Cole Jensen, Blu Keim, Cristina Arehart, Marcos Yadao, Kasey Hamrick, Sonora Bell, Cooper Kriegmont, Charlee Lewis, Abby Watts
NBA Division Special Awards:
Free Throw Champion: Isreal Yadao
League Champs: Warriors – Krishant Samtani, Cristian Batac, Clayton Gilbert, Luke Mallinger, Brandon Guthrie, Cody Adams, Bryce Swofford, and Guy Bean
Best Passer: Kaleb Tompkins
Best Defense: Treyson Ramos
Station Master: Tucker Kearns
Most Hustle: Hunter Beelitz
Most Improved: Cesar Hernandez
Best Rebounder: Isreal Yadao
Most Valuable Player: Kaleb Tompkins
All-Stars: Kaleb Tompkins, Bryce Swofford, Molo Maka, Chance Adams, Mo Bullock, Josh McAndrews, Kolby Hoover, Treyson Ramos, Jordan Milligan, Guy Bean, John Hamrick, Cody Adams
Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp draws near 200, awards announced - KINY by Lori James
As the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp wrapped up last month, Camp Director and Juneau-Douglas Head Coach, Robert Casperson, called it a tremendous success, "delivering professional instruction to the youth of the region."
Wednesday June 24, 2015
Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp director Robert Casperson has pretty much seen it all on the court during his days as a player in the camp and now as a coach who oversees the weeklong gathering of players and instructors.
Casperson stated that two things jumped out in this year’s camp: the talent level across the board and a group of girls who set an example.
“We saw an increase in camp enrollment and the overall talent level was up this year,” Casperson said in an email interview. “Especially in the NBA (upper division) with a strong group of rising juniors and seniors that have a lot of varsity experience attending camp.”
Rising senior Kaleb Tompkins received the Most Valuable Player award in the “NBA Division.”
“Kaleb continues to impress with his ability to score and lead,” Casperson said. “He was able to fill a number of roles for his team throughout the week and that really caught the attention of the coaches, which lead to his nearly unanimous selection for MVP in the NBA.”
Rising eighth grader Brandt Hultberg was selected MVP in the “College Division.”
“At his age, he possesses an above average understanding of the game,” Casperson said. “He is able to impact the game from the guard position through scoring, assists, defense, and rebounding. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Brandt.”
For the first time in the camp’s history the Most Improved Player Award went to a group of players instead of just one.
The Gustavus High School girls team came to their first camp ever in hopes to better understand the game as they approach the school’s first girls season this next December.
“These girls had a great attitude and focused on getting better each day,” Casperson said. “Their efforts did not go unnoticed and for the first time in camp history (nearly 40 years) the Most Improved Player award went to a team, rather than an individual. I can’t think of a better award for a new program to start with in the trophy case.”
Casperson, who is also the Juneau-Douglas High School head coach, expressed congratulations to the nearly 200 campers in the two weeks of basketball. Camp 1 had 130 participants in second through eighth grades. Camp 2 had 65 participants in grades 8–12. The camp drew participants from across Southeast and included a few players from as far away as Montana and Arizona.
“I was impressed with the excitement, intensity and improvement in all the players that attended the camp,” Casperson said. “I believe the coaching staff did an incredible job of delivering high quality instruction on the fundamentals of basketball.”
The camp also emphasizes the importance of making healthy life choices. Time was included during camp for special presenters to address multiple topics. Former JDHS high school and Yakima Valley college player, Austin Shoemaker, discussed the importance of working through life’s challenges and goal-setting with the campers. Brice Searles spoke about the work ethic and academic requirements necessary to be eligible for college athletics. Casperson discussed the Coaching Boys into Men program and shared information on staying away from drugs and alcohol.
Championship Friday featured Duke emerging as the titleholder in the College Division and the Warriors in the NBA Division.
Saturday was capped off with an all-star game for each division and the presentation of trophies for special awards that were voted on by the camp coaching staff.
All-Stars in the CD were Antonia Fogg, MacKenzie Campbell, Brandt Hultberg, Cole Jensen, Blu Keim, Cristina Arehart, Marcos Yadao, Kasey Hamrick, Sonora Bell, Cooper Kriegmont, Charlee Lewis and Abby Watts.
All-Stars in the NBA were Kaleb Tompkins, Bryce Swofford, Molo Maka, Chance Adams, Mo Bullock, Josh McAndrews, Kolby Hoover, Treyson Ramos, Jordan Milligan, Guy Bean, John Hamrick, and Cody Adams.
SPECIAL AWARDS:
• Free Throw Champion: MacKenzie Campbell (College Division), Isreal Yadao (NBA Division).
• League Champs: Duke (CD) – Charlee Lewis, Shaye Jensen, Meghna Bathija, Cristina Arehart, Raekwon Razor, Marcos Yadao, Kasey Hamrick, and Sonora Bell; Warriors (NBA) – Krishant Samtani, Cristian Batac, Clayton Gilbert, Luke Mallinger, Brandon Guthrie, Cody Adams, Bryce Swofford, and Guy Bean
• Best Passer: Marcos Yadao (CD); Kaleb Tompkins (NBA).
• Best Defense: Kasey Hamrick (CD); Treyson Ramos (NBA).
• Station Master: Cristina Arehart (CD); Tucker Kearns (NBA).
• Most Hustle: Aishwarya Cozby (CD); Hunter Beelitz (NBA).
• Most Improved: Gustavus (CD); Cesar Hernandez (NBA).
• Best Rebounder: Antonia Fogg (CD); Isreal Yadao (NBA).
• Most Valuable Player: Brandt Hultberg (CD); Kaleb Tompkins (NBA).
• The Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp operates in proud partnership with the following sponsors and businesses: The Fast Break Club, Commercial Signs & Printing, Oliver’s Trophies and Engraving, McDonald’s, Juneau Radio Center, Kimmel Athletic Supply, Community Schools and RALLY, Ike’s Fuel, Chad Erikson State Farm, Fix Auto, Mike Clasby, and Stanley Ford.
Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp Scores Again - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
In 40th year, hoops camp continues to bring talent to the court
Friday May 22, 2015
Awards were voted on by players and according to statistics.
JDHS senior Manase Maake was selected as the Zach Gordon Award winner. The Zach Gordon Award was created decades ago in honor of Gordon’s service to the community and youth sports. Players vote for the teammate they believe best exemplifies what it means to be a Crimson Bear by representing Juneau-Douglas High School and the community on and off the court through sportsmanship, academics, community service, positive attitude and athletic ability.
According to coach Robert Casperson, several players received votes for this award and would have been deserving of the award as well.
Junior Kaleb Tompkins capped an impressive season with the Most Valuable Player Award; sophomore Bryce Swofford was recognized for contributing to the Crimson Bears’ success with the Best Defense Award; junior Treyson Ramos earned the Most Hustle Award; junior Molo Maka was selected the Most Improved; and senior John Yadao was chosen Most Inspirational.
Based on season statistics, junior Treyson Ramos earned Best Passer (most assists); senior Nathan Klein totaled the most rebounds for Best Rebounder; sophomore Bryce Swofford earned the Toughness Award by taking the most charges and also the Marksman Award for the best two-point field goal percentage (minimum 50 attempts); junior Guy Bean took the Deep Threat Marksman for best three-point field goal percentage (minimum 30 attempts) and also scored the Mr. Clutch Award for best freethrow percentage (minimum 35 attempts).
The Crimson Bears junior varsity MVP went to sophomore Ulyx Bohulano, freshman Angle Garcia earned the JV Most Hustle, freshman Douglas Johnson the JV Most Improved, sophomore Hunter Beelitz the JV Most Inspirational and senior Patrick Benin the JV Best Defense.
Crimson Bears basketball honors players at banquet - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team celebrated their season in an awards banquet on Wednesday.
Thursday April 02, 2015
“This is quite an honor for Bruce,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said in an email. “I am extremely happy that he has been recognized ... as one of the top seniors in the state. Bruce serves as an example to his younger teammates of what can happen when you dedicate your time in the off-season to improve your individual skills.
“His teammates can take pride in this award for Bruce, too. They have served as a driving force that pushed him to excel each day in practice.”
The 3A/4A Boys All-Star game will take place at 7:45 p.m. at Dimond High School. The 3A/4A Girls All-Star game will begin at 6 p.m. and the 1A/2A girls and boys all-star games are at 2:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., respectively.
The 3A/4A boys roster includes: JDHS’ Jones; Anchorage Christian’s Levi Auble and Bobby Wilson; East Anchorage’s Desmond Johnson and Brayton Keith; Barrow’s Antonio Dunbar; Bartlett’s Judah Manuel; Bethel’s Taylor Hoffman; Colony’s Graham Dinkel; Dimond’s Muhamad Cole; Homer’s Jaruby Nelson and Sheldon Hutt; Hutchison’s Michael Benson; Monroe’s Edwin Erickson and Jalon McCullough; Mt. Edgecumbe’s Skye Shipton; Nome’s Isaiah Klay Baker and Alex Gray; Service’s Eben Upton and Brad Wacker; Soldotna’s Joseph Weltzin; Wasilla’s Alex Baham and Cameron Brown; and West Valley’s Tyrell Peterson.
Morris’ selection to the girls roster shows her determination after overcoming a knee injury that took away her junior season and an early ankle injury that threatened to cancel her season season.
“I think it is so great,” TMHS coach Tanya Nizich said. “I am so happy that she is going to go and participate. For Sarah to be chosen it is a real honor and she should accept it as such. These are voted on from all different coaches from 1A/2A/3A and 4A and for her to be recognized, with only being able to play for half of a season in her senior year, and get that recognition, that is a great thing for her. It shows that she is the type of kid that never once stopped working hard and she deserves every vote she got.”
The 3A/4A girls roster includes: TMHS’ Morris; Anchorage Christian’s Raven Thibrdeaux; Barrow’s Donna Sabo; Chugiak’s Anna Ingraham; Colony’s Sarah Brumbaugh, Faith Farris and Ashley Turcotte; Cordova’s Darian Songe; Dimond’s Justine Anderson, Dejha Canty and Rohyn Huss; Grace Christian’s Mikayla Shamburger; Hutchison’s Elly Veaszy; Kenai’s Allie Ostrander; Petersburg’s Shalie Dahl; Seward’s Jasmine Perea and Kiani Clemens; Sitka’s Sidney Riggs; Soldotna’s Haley Miller and Haley Ramsell; South Anchorage’s Zula Cole and Sabrina Ungaro; Valdez’ Veronica Hursh and Marian Wamsley; Wasilla’s Cassidy Edwards and Machia Toews; and West Anchorage’s Marshala Eady.
1A/2A girls roster includes: Chevak’s Tia Matchian and Reanna Tulin; Cook Inlet Academy’s Ashleigh Hammon and Madison Orth; Craig’s Marie Yates; Glennallen’s Ariana Dougall; Hooper Bay’s Eileen Ford and Magdalene Lake; Lumen Christian’s Tori Kruger; Metlakatla’s Theresa Wellington; Minto’s Gabrielle Titus and Kia Wiehl; Nenana’s Heather Kanuk; Newhalen’s Shiann Nanalook; Nikolaevsk’s Kilina Kliach; Shishmaref’s Jessica Kuzuguk; St. Mary’s Alana Ulak; Tri-Valley’s Zabrina Byfuglien; Wainright’s Jay-Jay Aguvluk; and Yakutat’s Ciara Lord.
The 1A/2A boys roster includes: Aniguiin’s Tony Takak; Bristol Bay’s Miles King; Dillingham’s Kenneth Savo and Cole Schlagel; Fort Yukon’s Franklin Carroll; Glennallen’s Cameron Peters and Brent Sampson; Hooper Bay’s Al Hale; Klawock’s Josh Marvin-Looney; Manokotak’s Adrian Gloko; Nenana’s James Olin-Martin and Michael Stickman; Scammon Bay’s Angel Medina; Seldovia’s Seth O’Leary; Shishmaref’s Corey Ningeulook; Susitna Valley’s Dawson Matthews; Sand Point’s Alex Gilbert; Unalakleet’s Gage Ivanoff; and Unalaska’s JR Carpentero.
The games also feature a three-point competition and dunk contest. Cost for admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Children 6-and-under are free. Alaska School Activities Association passes will not be honored but AABC passes will.
JDHS' Jones, TMHS' Morris get All-Star nods - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Juneau-Douglas High School Crimson Bears center Bruce Jones and Thunder Mountain High School guard Sarah Morris have been selected as two of 90 senior basketball players in the state to participate in the annual Alaska Association of Basketbal Coaches Senior All-Star games April 11 at Dimond High School in Anchorage.
Sunday March 08, 2015
4A Girls Champion - Ketchikan Lady Kings.
4A boys Champion - Ketchikan Kings.
3A Girls Champion - Sitka Lady Wolves.
3A Boys Champion - Sitka Wolves.
2A Girls Champion - Metlakatla Miss Chiefs.
2A Girls Runner-up - Craig Lady Panthers.
2A Boys Champion - Metlakatla Chiefs.
2A Boys Runner-up - Wrangell Wolves.
4A Girls All-Conference:
JDHS - Rachelle Roldan; TMHS - Ashley Young, Ava Tompkins; Ketchikan - Eliah Anderson, Alexis Biggerstaff, Felicia Ruaro.
4A Boys All-Conference:
JDHS - Bruce Jones, Caleb Tompkins; TMHS - Jacob Calloway; Ketchikan - Alex Pihl, Jason James, Mo Bullock.
3A Girls All-Conference:
Sitka - Zosha Krupa, Sidney Riggs; Petersburg - Kylie Wallace, Ruby Brock; Mt. Edgecumbe - Taryn White, Renatta Olson.
3A Boys All-Conference:
Sitka - Trevan Coleman, Jesse Lantiegne; Mt. Edgecumbe - Bobby Pate, Skye Shipton; Petersburg - Colby Bell, Stewart Conn.
2A Girls All-Conference:
Metlakatla - Theresa Wellington-McGilton, Kailee Smith; Craig - Marie Yates, Kimber Mikulecky, Aspen Hansen; Haines - Kayley Swinton; Wrangell - Darian Meissner, Taylor Bean.
2A Boys All-Conference:
Craig - Trevor Dahlstrom, Lewis Owen, Keyan Bird; Haines - Kyle Klinger; Metlakatla - Danny Marsden, Carsen Winter; Wrangell - Blake Stokes, Bryce Gerald.
Sportsmanship Award:
Petersburg.
Free-Throw Contest:
Boys winner: Blaine Volk-PSG.
Girls winner: Kylie Wallace-PSG.
3-point Shooting Contest:
Girls winner- Cheyenne Ekis-TMHS.
Boys winner- Bobby Pate-MT.ED.
Overall winner- Bobby Pate-MT.ED.
Good Sport Team:
JDHS - Manase Maake, Jacob Thibodeau, Cristina Arehart, Rachelle Roldan.
TMHS - Sarah Morris, Siosi Tupou, William Martin, Kevin Andes.
Craig - Lewis Owen, Trevor Dahlstrom, Nicole Mackie, Kimber Mikulecky.
Haines - Jordan Badger, Kyle Klinger, Jenae Larson, Destinee Cowart.
Ketchikan - Tabitha Gordanier, Sonja Christensen, Shakim Bauer, Galat Tut.
Metlakatla - Trenton Clark, Josh Lynch-Bethel, Kailee Smith, Katrina Johnson.
Mt. Edgecumbe - Joseph Kewan, Ermogen Merculief, Joalyn Johnson, Renatta Olson.
Petersburg - Mark Neidiffer, Ethan Bryner, Chandler Strickland, Sydney Guthrie.
Sitka - Braden Case, Trevan Coleman, Sidney Riggs, Gabriella Cagle.
Wrangell - Arthur Acuna, Tyler Gillen, Darian Meissner, Amy Jensen.
Dance Team Competition Ratings:
Juneau-Douglas - Superior.
Ketchikan - Superior.
Thunder Mountain - Superior.
Dance All-Stars:
JDHS - Haley Ogoy, Sarah Endicott; TMHS - Erika Sangster, Danielle Steinman; Ketchikan - Mary Flora, Catey Mendoza, Luisa Orta.
Cheerleading:
4A champion - Thunder Mountain
3A champion - Petersburg
2A champion - Metlakatla
2A runner-up - Wrangell
All-Tournament Cheer:
JDHS - Erika Cruz, Leonie Staudenmayer, Matthew Mendoza; TMHS - Jackie Shane, Dana Bagato; Ketchikan - Hailee Miller, Jade Simons; Metlakatla - Maize Nelson; Mt. Edgecumbe - Johnna Boucker, Jeffery Moore; Petersburg - Abby Johnson, David Galaktionoff.
All-Star Pep Band:
Flute/piccolo - Liz Bryson-TMHS, Kateline Barrows-JDHS, Kaitlyn Tighe-KTN, Alex Roberts-KTN.
Clarinet - Anna Faber-MET, Malachi Cole-WRG, Joec Randall-PSG.
Alto Saxophone - Elle Campbell-JDHS, Jamie Barnhill-TMHS, Chip Deakins-TMHS, Haley Crider-TMHS, Kacie Galla-WRG, Gwen Ranniger-KTN, Cierra Meehan-KTN, Darian McGilton-MET.
Tenor Saxophone - Kiri Roof-KTN, Michael Boose-SIT, Maria Giesbrecht-PSG.
Bari Sax - Lindsey Jobbins-HNS.
Trumpet - Brian Holst-JDHS, Darryl Wear-KTN, Kathleen Chaudhary-KTN, Connor Mickel-KTN, Neil Little-HNS, Casey Bradford-HNS, Kelly Engell-PSG, Aaron Murph-PSG, Nels Evens-PSG, Makayla Newman-PSG.
Horn - Lu Lu Linn-JDHS.
Trombone - Richard Doogan-JDHS, Toni Hammersland-KTN, Sarah Gucker-KTN, Gabrielle Kirchner-MET.
Bariton - Sean Manlulu-TMHS.
Electric Bass - Mark Rosales-TMHS, Hannah Pfundt-PSG, Mena Heinl-KTN, Daniel Active-MT.E, Laurie Dunn-Mt.E.
Percussion - Sam Bibb-JDHS, Duncan Menzies-KTN, Owen Fulton-SIT, Casey St.Claire-HNS, Tristan Bradley-Mt.E, Ian Fleming-PSG, Jeremy Randrup-PSG, AJ Erickson-PSG, Skipper Erickson-PSG, Grace Bolling-CRG.
All-Academic:
JDHS - Erika Cruz, Victoria Perez, Smanatha Heidersdorf, Rachelle Roldan, Isabelle Watts, Cora Bontrager, Maureen Carrillo, Sarah Endicott, Caitlyn Hyatt, Darian Perov, Adriana Pintang, Monika Rivera, Morgan Spargo, Amanda Stevenson, Adrienne Sypeck, Samuel Bibb, Elle Campbell, Arianna Hintermeister, Rachel Rivers, Jasmin Yadao, Bruce Jones, Nathan Klein, Manase Maake, Gunnar Schultz, Jacob Thibodeau.
TMHS - Trent Uddipa, William Martin, Sarah Morris, Jacqueline Shane, Dana Bogato, Sabrina Cava, Joey Lumba, Shane Kelly, Brendan Van Kirk, Danielle Steinman, Miranda Worl, Alexander Zellhuber, Siosi Tupou, Tatiana King.
Craig - Kimber Mikulecky, Marie Yates, Keyan Bird, Trevor Dahlstrom, Erik Scheidecker, Grace Bolling, Lily Watson, Sophie Gillard.
Haines - Jennie Humphrey, Christine Briggs, Paige Winge, Keegan Sundberg, Kyle Klinger, Lindsey Jobbins.
Ketchikan - Ned Day, Casey Hendricks, Hitsati Hudson, Alex Pihl, Sonja Christensen, Mary Flora, Catey Mendoza, Holly O’Brien, Katrina Thomas, Hailee Miller, Savannah Scanlon, Jade Simons, Zoe Smith, Toni Hammersland, Kathleen Chaudhary, Sarah Gucker, Mena Heinl, Gwen Ranniger, Kaitlyn Tighe.
Metlakatla - Erica Guthri,Laurie Dunne, Gabrielle Kirchner, Darian McGilton, Brenton Smith, Theresa Welllington.
Mt. Edgecumbe - Paul Kewan, Skye Shipton, Renatta Olson, Joallyn Johnson, Leigh Ripke, Zoe Guild, Patrice Deasis, Anjelika Palacios, Katrina Orsborn, Daniel Active.
Petersburg - Shalie Dahl, Abby Johnson, Aaron Murph, Makayla Newman.
Sitka - Alexander Corak, Kalene Koelling, Sidney Riggs, Elle Gray, Maraelia Romine, Owen Fulton, Michael Boose.
Wrangell - Malachi Cole, Charlie Colier, Kacie Galla, Michael Ottesen, Darian Meissner, Caroline Ward, Marsha McCay.
Region V basketball tournament awards
Basketball Champions:
Friday March 06, 2015
Falcons senior Jacob Calloway was unstoppable, scoring 31 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
“Obviously Jacob was huge for us again,” Thunder Mountain coach John Blasco said. “Collin (Ludeman) stepped up for us defensively and Trent (Uddipa) was our point guard leader controlling our offense.”
The Crimson Bears played without star junior Kaleb Tompkins due to a knee injury suffered in the Crimson Bears tournament opening loss to the Falcons on Tuesday. Tompkins was a key defender against Calloway during the season.
“I couldn’t be more proud of a team than I am of this one,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “They played their hearts out and left it all on the floor. I have never had a team battle through more adversity in a season than this group. Injuries, illnesses, you name it and the team fought through it together.”
JDHS senior Gunnar Schultz gave the Crimson Bears a 2-0 lead to start the game but Calloway hit a deep shot from the arch to spur a 7-0 run after the Falcons trailed in the opening seconds.
JDHS’ Treyson Ramos and Guy Bean tied the game at 7-7 at the 4:22 mark and with the buzzer sounding Ramos put a full court heave into the air that broke the net to keep the Crimson Bears within two points, 14-12, after eight minutes of play.
Bean and Ramos helped JDHS take an 18-14 lead and after a Falcons basket by Ludeman and a free throw from Riley Olsen, Bryce Swofford gave the Crimson Bears a 21-17 advantage. TMHS would go on an 10-4 run, all on free throws and Calloway would answer a Swofford jumper with another deep shot from the arch for a Falcons’ 30-26 lead at the half.
JDHS pulled to within one point on a Ramos archer to start the third quarter but Calloway answered with another deep shot and Ludman scored inside for a 35-29 advantage.
Bean gave the Crimson Bears a brief spurt but Calloway would hit a string of 10 points, including two more deep jumpers for a 46-37 advantage with one full quarter to play.
JDHS senior Nathan Klein hit two free throws to pull the Crimson Bears to 46-39 and, after a basket by the Falcons’ Uddipa, banged inside for a score. Bean hit two in a row for JDHS before Calloway scored again for a 50-46 lead.
A Calloway basket would be called off on a charging foul and Klein brought JDHS to within two points, 50-48, with 1:18 remaining in the game.
Calloway and Uddipa closed out the win for TMHS, while JDHS failed to score again.
Uddipa added 13 game points, Ludeman and Olsen three apiece, and juniors Shane Mielke and FJ Manning two each.
Bean led the Crimson Bears with 14 points, Klein added nine, Ramos and freshman Erik Kelly seven apiece, senior Gunnar Schultz five, senior John Yadao four and Swofford two. Senior Bruce Jones had nine rebounds and Swofford three blocks.
TMHS had 11 field goals, five more from deep, and hit 17-25 at the free throw line; JDHS had 15 field goals, four more from deep, and went 10-21 at the line.
“Our guys played the game with class, integrity, and sportsmanship and have represented Juneau in the best possible way,” Casperson said. “Every parent, fan, and friend of the program should be as proud of these young men as I am.”
Thunder Mountain (13-11 overall, 5-6 Southeast Conference) improves to 4-2 against Juneau-Douglas (10-13 OA, 3-7 SEC) this season.
The Falcons will play Ketchikan at 4:45 p.m. today. Thunder Mountain must win to force an If Necessary game against the Kings on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. for the region championship and a berth to the state tournament in Anchorage, March 19-21.
Falcons boys eliminate Crimson Bears 54-48 at regions - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team eliminated Juneau-Douglas from the Region V 4A tournament in Ketchikan’s Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium 54-48 on Thursday.
Sunday March 01, 2015
The Juneau-Douglas High School Crimson Bears spoiled the Thunder Mountain senior night Saturday with a 72-67 win over the Falcons. TMHS won on Friday 67-43.
JDHS junior Kaleb Tompkins scored 19 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, to lead the Crimson Bears.
TMHS senior Trent Uddipa also notched 19 and classmate Jacob Calloway 18, including seven in the final eight minutes.
JDHS led 19-15 starting the second quarter and TMHS put 21 points on the board with shots from behind the arch from Uddipa, sophomore Chase Saviers and junior Moa Maka to take a 36-33 advantage at the half.
JDHS regained the lead with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter as Jacob Thibodeau tied the game at 47 with a deep three and junior Bryce Swofford hit two free throws for a 49-47 advantage.
The Falcons regained the lead with a Calloway triple and JDHS senior Nathan Klein earned it back inside at 51-50. The Crimson Bears junior cousins Guy Bean and Tompkins closed the quarter for a 55-50 lead.
“Regions are going to be interesting and a lot of fun,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “I am really happy and proud of how our guys responded. It was our senior night too, just not on our home floor. It was nice to get a win in our last game in Juneau. The game was played in a region atmosphere too.”
JDHS did not surrender the lead in the final quarter.
TMHS pulled to within seven points, 59-52, at the 6:04 mark on a Uddipa jumper; within four, 62-58, at the 3:38 mark on a Saviers deep shot and a foul; the Falcons could not get closer down the stretch.
Uddipa and Calloway closed out the scoring for TMHS to bring the Falcons from 72-62 to 72-67 at the buzzer.
JDHS junior Treyson Ramos added a career-high 13 points, senior Bruce Jones 12, Bean 10, Klein eight, Swofford seven and Thibodeau three.
Saviers added 10 points for the Falcons, Maka seven, sophomore Riley Olsen six, senior RJ Markovich three, and junior Shane Mielke and senior Collin Ludeman two apiece.
JDHS hit 22 field goals, three more from deep, and was 19-34 at the line.
TMHS had 10 field goals, 12 more from deep (including 7-9 in the first half), and went 11-17 at the line.
On Friday, Saviers honored his senior teammates in the best way he knew, by scoring 21 points with five shots from beyond the arch in a 67-43 win.
Saviers and Mielke connected twice from beyond the arch in the first quarter, accounting for 12 of the Falcons’ 16 points. JDHS’ Tompkins had four points and Swofford and Jones three apiece to pace the Crimson Bears. Saviers’ second deep shot tied the game at the buzzer, 16-16.
After baskets by TMHS’ Uddipa and JDHS’ Jones tied the game at 18, Saviers started a 10-2 run with a layup. Uddipa hit two free throws, Calloway was fouled on a deep shot and made all three from the charity line, and Saviers nailed his third basket from deep.
After a basket by JDHS’ Klein, The Falcons went on a 12-2 run to take a 40-24 lead, and control, into the half.
JDHS opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run to pull within seven, 40-33. After an Uddipa basket by the Falcons, the Crimson Bears’ Bean ran out off the make and had a layup to close JDHS to within 42-35 but the Crimson Bears did not score again in the stanza. TMHS scored 10 points for a 53-35 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
Saviers buried the Bears from outside and Ludeman scored twice inside to push the Falcons to a 67-43 win.
Saviers led the Falcons with 21 points, hitting 7-9 field goals, including 5-6 from the 3-point line, and 2-2 at the line; Calloway added 19 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocks; Mielke and RJ Manning scored six points apiece, Uddipa, Ludeman and Olsen four each, and Maka three.
Klein led the Crimson Bears with eight points, Swofford added seven, Ramos, Thibodeau and Jones five each, Tompkins and Bean four apiece, seniors Manase Maake and John Yadao two each, and freshman Kolby Hoover one.
TMHS hit 13 field goals, another 10 from deep, and went 11-11-17 at the line.
JDHS had 16 field goals, another from deep, and was 8-10 at the line.
The Falcons play the Crimson Bears in the Region V Tournament at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in Ketchikan. TMHS has an 11-10 record overall and is 3-5 in the Southeast Conference. JDHS is 10-11 OA and 3-5 SEC.
Crimson Bears boys spoil Falcons' senior night - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Juneau-Douglas wins 72-67 on Saturday, Falcons win 67-43 Friday
Sunday February 22, 2015
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team got a good look at the setting for the Southeast Region V Basketball Championships, JDHS played at Ketchikan on Friday and Saturday, falling 46-44 and 56-51, respectively.
JDHS junior Kaleb Tompkins had a pull up 15-footer in traffic with three seconds remaning to tie the game on Friday but the shot rimmed in and out and Ketchikan secured the rebound for the 46-44 win.
“I thought our defensive effort and awareness was better than it has been in the past few games,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “I guess we still have to get better at moving our feet though.”
Tompkins and classmate Bryce Swofford scored the only Crimson Bears baskets in the first quarter as Kayhi opened an 8-4 advantage behind two deep shots from Matt Standley.
Tompkins and senior Nathan Klein both found the net from beyond the arch in the second quarter and junior Guy Bean, and senior Bruce Jones added a score, but Kayhi held a 21-13 halftime advantage.
The Crimson Bears found their shooting touch in the third quarter with junior Treyson Ramos hitting three shots, including one from deep, Tompkins adding two more and Swofford and Jones scoring inside. The effort gave JDHS a 29-28 lead starting the final eight minutes.
The Crimson Bears were content to put the ball up in the fourth quarter while the Kings waited to be fouled.
Tompkins hit nine of his game-high 18 points in the stanza while Klein added another deep make.
Ketchikan hit 12-16 at the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
“We are going to have to work harder at getting shots closer to the basket,” Casperson said. “And make better decisions with the ball to cut down on our unforced errors too.”
Tompkins led the Crimson Bears with 18 points, Ramos added eight, Klein six, Jones five, Swofford four and Bean three. JDHS had 11 field goals, six more from deep, and were 8-22 at the line.
Standley led the Kings with 12 points, Nathan Bonck added 10, Mo Bullock and Jason James eight apiece, Alex Pihl seven and Ned Day one. Kayhi had 10 field goals, three more from deep, and hit 17-25 at the line.
On Saturday, the Kings clinched the top region tourney seed on their senior night. The two teams were tied at 9-9 starting the second quarter and Ketchikan led 24-21 at the half in a low scoring, defensive game. The Kings went on a 6-2 run that forced the Crimson Bears to call a time out at 30-23 to open the third quarter.
Bean came out of the coaches discussion with a jump shot inside the top of the key and John Yadao hit a layup between two defenders to cut the lead to 30-27.
Pihl hit a deep basket for the Kings to break the JDHS momentum and build up to a 35-27 advantage at the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter Pihl gave the Kings a 41-31 lead with 2:52 remaining in the game on a steal and layup and then hit two free throws for a 43-31 advantage.
JDHS went to a full court press after making two free throws to gain the ball without losing game time.
Pihl was fouled and made a pair for Ketchikan.
On the trip down court Ramos fed Jones inside and the big man spun for a shot to make the game10t points.
Pihl was fouled again and made both for a 45-43 lead.
Tompkins scored on the next trip and again Pihl was fouled and he made one.
Kayhi made a brief run but JDHS would not go away and closed the game to 54-47 after a Ramos deep jumper.
With 35 seconds to go a travel gave the ball to JDHS and Jones was fouled and hit both freebies to cut the lead to six, 54-49.
The JDHS defense earned a 10-second count against Kayhi for ball possession but lost control on the perimeter and Pihl took the loose ball the length of the court and was fouled with 16 seconds left, making one of two. Pihl then stole the ball and was fouled again and hit one for a 56-49 lead.
Ramos dribbled the length of the court for a Crimson Bears’ layup and what would be the 56-51 final.
“We played with heart and displayed the kind of grit we will need as we prepare for one more regular season series with Thunder Mountain,” Casperson said. “And then it is back to Ketchikan for regions.”
Tompkins led the Crimson Bears with 21 points, Jones added 11, Ramos six, Bean five, Yadao and Swofford four apiece. JDHS hit 15 field goals, four more from deep and were 9-14 at the free throw line.
Pihl led the Kings with 24 points, Standley and James added 11 apiece, Bullock and Bonk four each and Jake Smith two. Kayhi hit 15 field goals, two more from deep, and were 20-37 at the line.
The Crimson Bears are 2-4 in the Southeast Conference and Kayhi is 6-2.
JDHS will play at Thunder Mountain (2-4 SEC) on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.
Juneau-Douglas boys drop two games at Ketchikan - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Crimson Bears fall 46-44 Friday, Kings secure top tourney seed in 56-51 win Saturday
Sunday February 15, 2015
Juneau-Douglas High School junior Guy Bean paid the biggest compliment he could think of on Saturday night’s senior appreciation game against Kenai.
Bean hit a game-high 24 points, including a 10-point third quarter that broke open a halftime tie for Juneau.
“Hey that’s Guy Bean,” senior Bruce Jones said after the game. “He can definitely shoot the ball and he came through for us tonight.”
Bean, junior Kaleb Tompkins and Jones went on a 23-5 run for the Crimson Bears to give them a 55-39 advantage starting the final eight minutes of play.
“I am going to miss them a lot and I am glad that I had them for this one year,” Bean said of his senior teammates. “I was just so surprised the shots were going down, honestly. I didn’t know what was going on. I love these seniors. I am going to miss them so much next year.”
Kenai chipped away at the lead, pulling within nine, with 5:40 remaining and again with 1:18 remaining but couldn’t close the gap any further.
Both times, senior Gunnar Schultz found a basket or a free throw to stop the visitors’ momentum.
“It was a good way to end it on our court,” Schultz said. “But we have a lot of basketball left. The student section, pep band, cheerleaders, our parents, our friends and family … thank you for the last four years and all the basketball in my life.”
Kenai junior Josh Jackman and senior Tanner Wortham scored the final Kardinals points from the charity stripe, and Bean and Tompkins closed out the game with four straight free throws.
“Kenai always plays hard,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “You can’t relax against a tough team like that. They battle and compete. On senior night you try to do certain things to get some guys out on the floor and that almost wasn’t able to happen. These seniors deserved all the applause they received tonight. The coaches will miss them.”
Casperson subbed his upper classmen out with just over a minute to play and the seniors hugged coaches and teammates and watched their last seconds tick away.
“It is crazy,” Jones said. “Especially that we won. It is bittersweet because this is my last time playing at home. I was just looking back on all my games and thinking this is the last one at home. But I will be back for the alumni game next year.”
JDHS led 17-12 after the first quarter.
Bean led JDHS with 24 points, Kaleb Tompkins added 12, Jones 11, Schultz eight, Treyson Ramos seven, Nathan Klein six, John Yadao five and Bryce Swofford two.
The Crimson Bears hit 19 field goals, five more from deep, and went 22-31 at the line.
The Kardinals had 14 field goals, six more from deep, and were 17-25 at the line.
Kenai sophomore Josh Jackman scored 17 points, senior Austin McKee added 13, junior Keith Ivy 10, senior Kyle Foree and Tanner Wortham seven apiece, junior Marshall Vest four, senior Jonah Theisen three and junior Taylor Landry two.
The JDHS boys (9-8 overall, 2-2 SEC) also beat Kenai on Thursday, 63-50.
JDHS junior steals the show on senior night for the Crimson Bears - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Junior Guy Bean honors class of 2015 with 24-point sendoff
Saturday February 14, 2015
COACHES COMMENTS: You would be hard pressed to find a better teammate and young adult than Manase.
NICKNAME: Namdi
PARENTS: Tevita and Kueni Ma’ake.
SIBLINGS: Tuavao and Nia.
HOBBIES: Fishing, Football, Basketball, Soccer, and Sleep.
FAVORITE FOOD: Cheeseburgers.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): Ms. McCormick, Mr. Bass.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE: Space Jam.
FAVORITE TEAM: Denver Nuggets.
ROLE MODEL: Family, Teachers, Coaches and Friends who helped me become who I am today.
THANKS TO: Parents, Coaches and Teachers.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Go on a mission, attend BYU.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: A nice person.
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: A team sport and a lot of fun playing with the people we have.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: Tibbz’ fist pump when the referee called a defensive foul on him.
GUNNAR SCHULTZ #2
COACHES COMMENTS: Gunner is a hard working and respectful young man that will use these traits to find success in life.
NICKNAME: Gun
PARENTS: Darin Schultz, Kristin Bartlett, Dave Bartlett.
SIBLINGS: Coen Schultz, Lake Bartlett.
HOBBIES: Hanging out w/friends, playing 2K, Hulu & Netflix, sleeping in.
FAVORITE FOOD: Philly roll sushi.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): Mr. Carney, Mr. Lehnhart.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE: Coach Carter.
FAVORITE TEAM: Duke Blue Devils.
ROLE MODEL: My parents because I turned out alright so they must’ve had something to do with that.
THANKS TO: My family and all that they do for me and my teammates and my coaches for all the time they’ve put in.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: College, either Oregon State, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, or Michigan State.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: Someone that represented the program well.
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: I love watching the ball go through the net. That is my favorite thing about it.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: The West Valley game last year was great, when Adam (Empson) through the ball off the kid’s back it was a good ending. I scored like 12 points in the third quarter, it was a good game in general.
JOHN YADAO #12
COACHES COMMENTS: John enjoys each day to its fullest and makes sure that we remember to have fun playing this game.
NICKNAME: 220, Fright Train, J-Yao on the Mic.
PARENTS: Daisey Yadao and Ariel Yadao.
SIBLINGS: Ruthie, Israel.
HOBBIES: Singing, Guitar, Piano, Ukelele, Long boarding, Snow boarding, Skateboarding, Basketball, Ball is Life, All other Sports.
FAVORITE FOOD: Oooooo Spaghetti... SPAGHETTO (with Italian accent), the best.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): Ms. McCormick (MC), Ms. Casperson, Ms. Conant, Ms. Knaggs, Ms. Willis, Mr. Unzicker, Mr. Moore.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE: Like Mike, Semi-Pro.
FAVORITE TEAM: Los Angeles Clippers (AKA Lob City).
ROLE MODEL: Parents, Aunties and Uncles, Cousins, Friends, and Coaches and Teachers.
THANKS TO: My Friends and Family and everybody I know, and the community.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Pursue music, and go to college, travel around the world.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: “J-Yao on the Mic” quoted by John Yadao.
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: The team part of it, the chemistry, playing as a team. I made some good relationships with teammates. Team bonding and trips.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: My first actual varsity game playing against East (Anchorage) this year. I didn’t play last year so I got to get a feel of the game again. That felt good at the East tournament.
NATHAN KLEIN #44
COACHES COMMENTS: Nathan is a focused and goal oriented young man that is willing to work for what he wants in life.
NICKNAME: Klein Time.
PARENTS: Allen Klein & Gina Ragle.
HOBBIES: Baseball, basketball, table tennis, dueling and poker with my friends, studying.
FAVORITE FOOD: Pomegranates.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): There is no way I can choose this one. They’ve all been great!
FAVORITE TEAM: The Rockies. Oh, you mean basketball? The Suns.
ROLE MODEL: Jackson Lehnhart - for showing me that you really can do everything, and do it well.
THANKS TO: My parents, teachers, friends, coaches, and Sophie.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Go to an excellent small liberal arts college, play Division III baseball, and get an amazing education to prepare me for working.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: A scholar and a baller.
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: I have been with the same group for seven years and we have playing together and they are just the best guys.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: Beating Thunder Mountain last year by one (67-66) when we were not expected to beat them.
PATRICK BENIN #14
COACHES COMMENTS: Patrick is a dedicated young man that brings a strong work ethic to the program.
NICKNAME: Pat, P Ben.
PARENTS: Benjamin and Melinda Benin.
SIBLINGS: Abby & Benedict.
FAVORITE FOOD: Spaghetti.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): Ms. Galluzzo.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE: Like Mike.
FAVORITE TEAM: Miami Heat.
THANKS TO: The coaches for helping me improve.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Take a semester off and travel around Asia.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: The best defensive player.
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: Just playing like a team.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: Beating Ketchikan for the first time this season.
JACOB THIBODEAU (CAPTAIN) #33
COACHES COMMENTS: Jacob knows that to get respect you have to give respect; he is well respected by his teammates.
NICKNAME: Tibbz.
PARENTS: Rosie & Pete.
SIBLINGS: Brandon T, Brandon G.
HOBBIES: Basketball, Baseball, Bowling, Table Tennis, Frolf, Bigfooting, Poker.
FAVORITE FOOD: Everything but lettuce.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): Mr. Dzinich, Mrs. Razor.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE: Like Mike.
FAVORITE TEAM: Rockets, Celtics.
ROLE MODEL: My parents, for supporting and loving me.
THANKS TO: My mom for always making me food. The Vikings for drafting Teddy Bridgewater.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Have fun, attend college, play baseball.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: A good varsity basketball Speaking Captain.
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: The competition.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: Beating Thunder Mountain by one point (67-66) on our court last season.
BRUCE JONES (CAPTAIN) #43
COACHES COMMENTS: Bruce has a genuine appreciation for his teammates that is truly impressive.
NICKNAME: Bru-Bru from the AK.
PARENTS: Peter and Alberta Jones.
SIBLINGS: Jenny & David Jones.
HOBBIES: Basketball, volleyball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon.
FAVORITE FOOD: Häagen-Dazs bars.
FAVORITE TEACHER(S): Mr. Potter and Mr. Lehnhart.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE: Coach Carter.
FAVORITE TEAM: Duke.
ROLE MODEL: My role models are my parents because they are great, honest, hardworking people and someday I aspire to be like them.
THANKS TO: My parents for always supporting me, and pushing me to achieve.
PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Go to college and get a mechanical engineering degree.
WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS: I want to be remembered as someone who gave it 110% to get the win, and a Yu-Gi-Oh! Master (King of games).
WHY I LIKE BASKETBALL: I have always loved basketball, ever since I was little. Probably because both my parents played, my brother played ... so I kind of just grew up playing.
BEST MEMORY ON THE COURT: Oh man, so many. Team camp is always a great experience because you get to spend the whole week with your teammates. All the team camps have all been great.
Juneau-Douglas High School Crimson Bears senior basketball bios - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
MANASE MA’AKE #1
Friday February 13, 2015
JDHS junior Kaleb Tompkins hit a shot from the arch just 10 seconds into the game and senior Bruce Jones put in a shot on the next possession as the Crimson Bears never trailed.
Kenai got within two points with 6:44 remaining in the first quarter on three straight free throws by sophomore Josh Jackman to trail 5-3, but Jones scored on a lob from junior Guy Bean, then stole a pass out of the press and fed junior Bryce Swofford for a score.
Swofford blocked the next Kenai shot and Jones fed Tompkins and the Crimson Bears were never challenged again as they opened a 22-11 first quarter lead.
“Early on we were able to get things going,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “Our defense was disrupting what they wanted to do offensively and we definitely were able to attack the rim and finish some baskets. It kind of felt like we were firing on all cylinders.”
An 11-3 JDHS run to start the second quarter and an 8-3 run to end it put the Crimson Bears on top 41-17 at the half.
JDHS led 51-27 starting the final eight minutes of play. Kenai outscored JDHS 23-12 in the fourth quarter but the Crimson Bears closed out the game for the 63-50 win.
“They are a dangerous team,” Casperson said. “They play really hard and they don’t quit. They cut that 25-point lead down. We know they are going to play hard. They had a tough day of travel and when they got in they went to the visit the Legislature. I am sure with a good night’s rest it will turn into a nice little series, getting to play Thunder Mountain Friday and then us again on Saturday.”
Swofford led the Crimson Bears with 11 points, Jones, Tompkins and Bean added 8 each, senior Nathan Klein 7, freshman Erik Kelly 6, senior Gunnar Schultz and junior Treyson Ramos 4 apiece, senior Jacob Thibodeau 3 and freshman Kolby Hoover and senior John Yadao 2 apiece.
JDHS hit 22 field goals, 5 more from beyond the arch and went 4-8 at the charity stripe.
Kenai had 14 field goals, 3 from deep and hit 13-21 at the line.
The Kardinals were led by a game-high 19 points from Jackman, senior Austin McKee added 10, senior Tanner Wortham 7, junior Marshall Vest 5, junior Taylor Landry 4, junior Keith Ivy 3 and senior Jonah Theisen two.
Juneau-Douglas boys top Kenai 63-50 - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School varsity basketball teams hosted Kenai on Thursday at JDHS, with the Crimson Bears boys running past the Kardinals 63-50 as the JDHS girls fell to their visitors, 34-16.
Sunday February 08, 2015
The two warriors were covered in sweat.
Standing exhausted outside the opposing locker rooms of Juneau-Douglas High School after the second consecutive night of end-to-end, wire-to-wire basketball action, there was little except the scoreboard separating winner from loser.
“It was exhausting,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said, catching a moment as the Crimson Bears celebrated their 65-59 win Saturday night.
Fifty feet away, his opponent also leaned wearily against the wall.
“Both of us are working very hard for our kids,” Thunder Mountain coach John Blasco said. “We want them to have the best chance of succeeding, and it is our job to put them in the best spots. It is draining because we want them to win.”
JDHS and TMHS finished a series that has further muddled the Southeast Conference standings and put questions into the air as to who is the top team in Juneau.
The Falcons won on Friday 74-69, and Saturday’s game appeared to be headed for the same outcome.
The Falcons inched into a 27-20 first quarter lead after the Crimson Bears took an early advantage, exactly like the previous night.
On Saturday, TMHS senior Jacob Calloway and junior Shane Mielke drained deep shots from the opposite corners to start the Falcons’ run.
Callaway hit nine of his game-high 19 points in the first stanza for TMHS, and junior Kaleb Tompkins hit seven of his 19-points in the same stretch for JDHS.
In the second quarter, Crimson Bears senior Bruce Jones blocked a shot to begin play and junior Guy Bean was rewarded with a shot on the other end.
The Falcons responded and went on a 13-6 run, including a steal and basket by Calloway to end the half up 40-28.
JDHS began the third quarter with a 12-2 run, slicing the Falcons’ lead to two points. The run was generated by baskets from sophomore Bryce Swofford and senior John Yadao, and after Calloway scored for the Falcons, JDHS put up another 9-2 surge to take the lead, 49-44. Junior Molo Maka added a rebound bucket for a 51-46 lead entering the final eight minutes.
“I feel like we finally did the things that we talked about doing from the start of the game,” Casperson said. “We talked about playing better defense and closing out harder. Maybe the course of the last two days took its toll, but it finally started to click for us and we hit some shots and got some good looks offensively and broke them down. It’s a high school basketball game. This isn’t the NBA. A 12-point lead can go away pretty quickly. I was proud of the guys for committing to the defense in the second half.”
Key to the second half turnaround was Tompkins defending Calloway and the Crimson Bears’ help-side defense. The Falcons scored just six points in the third quarter, Calloway just two.
“I was just pumped up,” Tompkins said. “I knew we could get them in the second half so I just tried my hardest. My teammates have a lot of heart, that’s the bottom line. I just had to stay low and stay focused, that was it, that was the key.”
TMHS pulled within four points, 58-54, with 2:48 remaining, but Calloway was whistled for his fourth personal foul.
A basket by JDHS junior Treyson Ramos and a free throw by senior Nathan Klein pushed the advantage to six.
After sophomore Chase Saviers hit a pair at the line for TMHS and stole the ensuing pass, Tompkins made a big defensive block.
Calloway was whistled for his fifth personal with less than a minute remaining, and JDHS closed out the win.
“We had a very good first half and they had a better second half,” Blasco said. “They beat us in every aspect of the game in the second half. JD has some top talent in the state and we have Jacob Calloway, who obviously is one of the better players in the state. The kids are battling it out all the way to the end. His group did a better job in the second half tonight. We tip our hats to them.”
Swofford added 12 points for the Crimson Bears. Jones had nine, Yadao seven, Ramos six, Klein five, Bean four, and Molo Maka three.
RJ Manning added 10 points for the Falcons. Mielke, Saviers and Riley Olsen had seven each, Trent Uddipa four, Moa Maka three and Collin Ludeman two.
JDHS was 8-17 at the line, TMHS went 12-15.
Opening shots
On Friday, the Crimson Bears were shocked by deadly outside shooting by Falcons senior Jacob Calloway and junior Moa Maka.
Calloway tallied a game-high 31 points and Maka added 20.
The Crimson Bears even gave center Jones a chance at guarding his close friend. Jones responded with two blocks on Calloway but also had a foul.
“It is fun to play against him because it is high competition,” Calloway said. “I like winning against him. They are a really good team; we have to come prepared for tomorrow, we can’t take this win for too long.”
Swofford also got time to try to slow the Falcons star.
Although Juneau took the early 6-0 lead, Calloway responded with a steal and a basket and then hit over Jones. TMHS sophomore Riley Olsen hit from deep and the game went back and forth until TMHS’ Ludeman and Uddipa brought the score to within three at 14-11 to end the first period.
“I think we didn’t defend very well,” Casperson said. “They shot the ball really well. They got a lot of really good open looks the way we knew they were looking to get them, off dribble penetration. They have a stable of really quick guards and that is what hurt us. We have to do a better job of containing the dribbler.”
The Crimson Bears did not respond to the deadly touch of Maka who connected on four shots from beyond the arch in the game, including two in the second quarter. The first tied the game at 21-21 with 5:43 remaining before halftime.
Maka then hit a basket for a two-point lead.
“It feels good,” Maka said. My teammates were giving me the ball. It was no surprise they were going in.”
After two more lead changes, Olsen connected with a deep shot for a 29-28 Falcons’ advantage.
JDHS’ Treyson Ramos put the Crimson Bears back on top, but Maka connected past the arch again for a 32-30 advantage and Calloway made an old-fashioned three-point play for a 35-30 lead.
JDHS’ Nathan Klein tipped in a shot before the half.
“Great for him,” Casperson said of Maka. “He is a really great kid, he works hard, and he has battled through injuries. I like that kid a lot. For him to have some success in a big game like that, I am happy for him; he’s a really nice kid.”
The lead was never more than four points until less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons took the lead with 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter as Maka hit seven straight points for a 45-43 advantage and Calloway answered two free throws by JDHS’ Klein for a 47-45 lead going into the final eight minutes.
Tompkins scored to open the fourth for JDHS and then stole the ball off a trap for another basket and a 49-47 advantage.
Olsen answered with a deep shot for the Falcons’ 50-49 lead.
JDHS’ Klein tied the game with one free throw and Bean gave them a 53-50 lead from deep for their last advantage.
The Falcons got baskets by Saviers, Calloway and Olsen to regain momentum and kept at least a three-point margin to the end.
Olsen added 11 points for the Falcons, Uddipa six, and Andes, Saviers and Manning two each.
Tompkins led JDHS with 16 points, Jones added 13, Klein 11, Ramos nine, Yadao eight, Bean six and Swofford four.
JDHS is 2-2 in the SEC. Crimson Bears losses were to TM Friday and KTN 74-59 at JDHS. Wins have been over TM and KTN 61-47 at JDHS.
TMHS is 2-4 in the SEC. The Falcons have won 61-56 over KTN on the road and at JDHS Friday. The Falcons lost on the road to JDHS and to KTN 68-63 and to KTN at TMHS 58-51 and 69-67.
Ketchikan is 4-2 in the SEC.
Falcons, Crimson Bears put on a hoops show - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
TMHS boys win 74-67 Friday, JDHS rebounds with 65-59 win Saturday
Friday February 06, 2015
Poll standings will not be at stake this weekend when the Juneau-Douglas High School boys host Thunder Mountain in a Southeast Conference showdown at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, but bragging rights for the first two games of the crosstown series between the Crimson Bears and Falcons will be.
“Obviously we are coming off two tough losses to Kayhi,” Thunder Mountain coach John Blasco said. “And back-to-back games down at Juneau-Douglas is going to be a very energetic environment, being crosstown rivalry games and conference games. I think both teams are going to be excited to play with a lot of energy and adrenaline going.”
The Falcons will not want to repeat their first-half performance from their loss to Kayhi on Monday. They trailed 35-24 at the break but battled back to within two points with minutes remaining, then went back and forth on possessions with the Kings.
“Obviously going down double-digits into halftime is not a place where a coach wants to be,” Blasco said. “I love the fact that we continue to fight and not give up.”
The Falcons’ 7-7 overall record this season includes all seven losses by 7 points or fewer. Three of those seven were in overtime, and one was at the buzzer.
“The kids are competing to the end,” Blasco said. “They are not giving up.”
Although the Crimson Bears and Falcons are not rated in the top five of the weekly Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches poll, the two Juneau schools, along with Ketchikan, will be in a dog fight to determine which team will earn a state tournament bid outright with a Region V tournament win or a possible strength of schedule invite if they are the runner-up.
Seeding in the region tourney will be important, and this weekend is crucial in that process.
“We are hoping to build on our success against Ketchikan,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “Not only did that weekend with Ketchikan in town give us a chance to play a couple conference games but it gave us a chance to see a couple conference games between Thunder Mountain and Ketchikan, how they approach each other and try to learn from those situations.”
JDHS is 1-1 in the SEC, having lost to Kayhi 74-59 last Friday and having beaten the Kings 61-47 Saturday; TMHS is 1-3 in the SEC, all against Kayhi, winning at Ketchikan 61-56, losing there 68-63, and dropping two at TMHS — 58-51 and 69-67 last week.
“Ketchikan is a solid team,” Blasco said. “Throughout their top seven or eight guys they don’t really drop off at all. Kayhi has bigger bodies across the board than JD or I do, from the point guard to the center.”
The Falcons found a way to be in each game down the stretch, something that the Crimson Bears observed firsthand.
“The main thing is we need to be prepared and try to get ready for the things that we have seen Thunder Mountain do,” Casperson said. “They have a stable of quick little guards who have been tough to contain for a lot of teams around the state … even their 6-7 Calloway is a guard. They present some unique challenges and pose a whole host of problems for us. It should be exciting. It seems to be the game that everyone really looks forward to and everyone likes to come and support their teams. We are hoping to come away with some success either through victory or experience. It is all about preparing for the end of the season. We would love to have an opportunity to get into the regions with the No. 1 seed, but that is really the farthest thing from our minds. Our focus is just on trying to improve our execution on the things we want to do for Friday, February sixth … not anytime beyond that.”
No one knows the Crimson Bears and Falcons better this season than Ketchikan coach Eric Stockhausen. The Kings are 4-2 in the SEC after last weekend’s four-game stand in Juneau.
“There has to be something in the water in Juneau,” Stockhausen said. “Because all those Juneau basketball players can shoot, they have some good size on both teams and they are both well coached. They are not too different. I think you are going to see more pressure from Juneau-Douglas in the full court and you are going to see more half-court defensive pressure from Thunder Mountain. I think coach Blasco does a really nice job of studying the other team and trying to put his boys in a really good half-court defensive setting. I think coach Casperson looks to go a little deeper in his bench and tries to get into your legs a little bit. They are similar in a lot of ways and there are just slight differences. I think with the twin towers of Juneau-Douglas, their inside presence is something to be leery of or to look for ... I think the shooting prowess of Thunder Mountain is notable. I asked the kids who the shooters were out there on the floor we needed to defend and they replied, ‘all of them.’ Either way, those will be exciting games. I am really impressed with a lot of the kids we played against last weekend. Last year to this year, one that really stood out is Bruce Jones; he has really become a crafty big guy that shoots the ball well. Calloway is just as tough as anybody we are going to play. It should be interesting. I think Tompkins and Bean shoot the ball incredibly well ... Saviers, Uddipa and Mielke have hurt us in our games. It is kind of pick your poison. It really depends on which kids are playing well. If you tell me one part of a certain team’s game is not going to be on than you have an idea of who is going to win, but, just like our games, each night is completely different. I think it is going to be a lot of fun for the basketball fans in Juneau ... great kids, good programs, and if they played multiple 17-overtime games, I would love it.”
So how does Ketchikan play to earn success against Juneau’s two high schools?
“We have to take care of the ball,” Stockhausen said. “Both teams can get you to turn the ball over just in different fashions. The quick guards from Thunder Mountain can get by you and cause contact. There is not, necessarily, as much penetration by Juneau-Douglas, but they can get it inside on a post entry pass and it has the same effect, it puts you in a scrambling defensive position where you have to protect the rim. So like when Trent (Uddipa) or Chase (Saviers) penetrate around us it is the same thing when they throw it into Bruce (Jones) or Swoff (Bryce Swofford). We have to rotate and protect the rim, which opens up your shooters. It is the same end result but it is the manner in which they get the ball in the middle of the paint of the two teams. And they both have shooters that can hurt you. We have to keep the ball out of the middle when we play both teams because once it is in the middle your options are a lot more open than if the ball stays outside.”
JDHS and TMHS tip off at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at JDHS gym. The JD JV plays Klawock at 6:15 p.m. Friday and the TMHS JV on Saturday. JD and TM C teams play both nights at 4:30 p.m.
Crimson Bears boys host Falcons this weekend - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain looking forward to cross-town conference collision
Wednesday February 04, 2015
Halftime entertainment is often a chance to head to the popcorn stand — unless it is the Super Bowl or one of the two Juneau high school dance teams. On Saturday at the Juneau-Douglas High School gym, the crowd was glued to their seats or jumping with excitement as the Juneau Special Olympics Basketball team played an exhibition game during the halftime break of the matchup between JDHS and the Ketchikan Kings.
The Crimson Bears have partnered with the Special Olympics and first met the team at the “I did. You can” basketball camp last June at JDHS.
On Saturday, the JDHS and Kayhi players lined the floor to watch the action and the JDHS cheerleaders formed a tunnel to welcome the Olympians onto the floor.
It was hard to tell who wore the bigger smiles as the players came through red pompoms and raised arms.
Alec Tolles sprinted through the tunnel, Ray Carpenter walked with his head high, Andres Jones ran with his right arm raised toward the ceiling, Jacob Lewis held a basketball above his head and others carried grins from ear to ear.
“That was so much fun,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “I was very proud of the effort the Special Olympics players gave. They had a ton of fun out there. The crowd really got into it and did an amazing job supporting the athletes. It was great to hear the cheers erupt every time they scored a basket.”
JDHS junior varsity players refereed and participated in the game while the Crimson Bears cheered and gave standing ovations and high-fives. The pep band also played for the athletes.
“It was an amazing experience to be a part of,” Casperson said.
The Juneau Special Olympic basketball team includes Jesse Quick, Leroy George, Kristina Brown, Chloe Deitrick, Alec Tolles, Ray Carpenter, Jacob Mallinger, Andres Jones, Jacob Lewis, Chris Brenner and Chavi Jones.
These athletes have been practicing weekly, and their season runs from March through May.
The Alaska Special Olympic Games are the second Saturday in June at Anchorage and include sports such as basketball, swimming, track, gymnastics and power lifting. Juneau competes in basketball and swimming.
The Juneau Special Olympics basketball team has won a gold medal in the past and took silver last year.
Top players make the game special - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Juneau's Special Olympic Basketball Team wows the halftime crowd
Sunday February 01, 2015
Southeast Conference 4A basketball games cannot be taken lightly.
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team found that out first-hand on Friday and Saturday at the JDHS gym against the visiting Ketchikan Kings, falling 74-59 and then making the SEC interesting with a 61-47 win.
“Our region games are going to be dog fights, “ Casperson said. “They are going to be a lot of fun and exciting. I don’t feel like we lived up to the billing on Friday. I don’t feel like we responded to the opportunity that was presented to us.”
On Saturday, the Crimson Bears scored the first basket of the game with senior Bruce Jones’ pass to junior Treyson Ramos on a backdoor cut, and JDHS never trailed.
“We went a lot harder,” Jones said. “Yesterday we were not going 100 percent and they wanted it more yesterday. We came out today and just wanted it more.”
JDHS led 17-10 starting the second quarter, and when Ketchikan closed to within two points at 19-17, junior Guy Bean connected on back-to-back shots, junior Kaleb Tompkins hit a basket and Jones blocked a shot.
The Crimson Bears took a 28-24 lead into the half as Kayhi’s Nathan Bonck and Jason James kept them in the game.
JDHS opened the third quarter with baskets by Tompkins and Jones and pushed out to a 10-point advantage.
“We just really didn’t like the loss,” Tompkins said. “We just wanted it a lot. I just really wanted to win.”
Kayhi’s Mo Bullock was held to just six points by Jones and Bryce Swofford on the night; the tallies came in the fourth quarter.
“Today I just guarded him harder,” Jones said. “Yesterday his shots were mostly perimeter. Today I just tried to shut him down and we did our best.”
Swofford, Tompkins and Jones opened the final quarter with scores and the Crimson Bears took a 12-point lead. Kayhi cut the margin to nine points with 2:38 remaining, but JDHS went on a 7-2 run with scores by Nathan Klein, Tompkins and Jones. Swofford sealed the win with two free throws and Bullock hit the last basket of the game for Kayhi.
Tompkins led JDHS with 22 points, Jones had 13, Bean seven, Swofford six, Ramos and Klein five apiece, Gunnar Schultz two and John Yadao one.
Jason James led Kayhi with 13 points, Alex Pihl had 11, Ned Day 10, Bullock six, Matt Standley five and Bonck two.
“We made some adjustments defensively,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “The guys wanted to change some matchups around and I appreciated that they were willing to take on that responsibility themselves. That is the sign of an experienced group of guys, which was on the kids. I think that made the difference for us. We entered the game with a different mindset. This was a good win for us.”
The Crimson Bears are now 1-1 in the SEC, Kayhi is 2-2 and Thunder Mountain is 1-2 with a game to play against the Kings on Monday at TMHS.
First game
On Friday, JDHS had the task of slowing down Ketchikan’s do-it-all senior guard Pihl and inside junior force Bullock.
While Tompkins made the initial defensive pressure, little help came from off the ball and Pihl collected a game-high 19 points.
Crimson Bears Jones and Swofford made strong contributions in the middle but second chance shots gave Bullock 16 points on the night.
Tompkins still netted a team-high 14 points for the Crimson Bears and Jones added 12.
“I really did not expect Kaleb to be a scoring threat because of all the effort we asked him to put out on defense,” Casperson said. “He had a really solid game for us.”
JDHS led by five points, 19-15, after the first quarter on Friday, getting 3-pointers from senior Gunnar Schultz, Tompkins and six points inside from Jones.
Pihl hit a lone three for Kayhi and the Kings’ Bullock and Jason James balanced the scoring.
Ketchikan ended the second quarter with a flury, outscoring the Crimson Bears 28-11, and putting in a highlight shot at the buzzer.
After Pihl hit his second 3-pointer of the quarter with five seconds remaining for a 41-30 lead and his 17th point of the game, the Kings’ Casey Hendricks deflected a JDHS pass and threw it to Bullock who caught it in the air and laid it off the glass to beat the score clock.
“They are a dangerous team,” Casperson said. “They seem to play in spurts, and very successful spurts. They got some shots to go and when that happens it can be contagious.”
The Kings hit six of their eight 3-pointers in the first half. JDHS had three from deep in the first quarter and three in the fourth.
“We went cold,” Casperson said. “We tried to match them in a three-for-three kind of thing and fell in love with the jump shot. We had good balance in the first quarter and good spacing and we were moving the ball to get those shots. Second quarter it was a lot of stand and stare, we did not have good balance.”
JDHS did not respond in the third quarter and trailed 57-39 starting the final stanza.
“We made a good push in the fourth quarter and cut it down to 11,” Casperson said. “But Ketchikan did a great job. They play hard and execute what they need to. Certainly on paper we look like we have size, we have some quickness and it looks like a good situation for us, but, bottom line, you still have to play the game. And teams like to play us hard.”
Schultz added 11 points for Juneau, Yadao and Swofford seven apiece, Bean four, Ramos three, and Molo Maka one.
James added 11 points for the Kings, Standley nine, Bonck seven, Jake Smith six, Jordan Sader two and Brent Taylor one.
JDHS hit 14 field goals and went 13-18 at the charity stripe; Ketchikan hit 17 field goals and 16-24 at the line.
Crimson Bears boys split with Ketchikan Kings - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
JDHS makes conference interesting with 74-59 loss, 61-47 win
Thursday January 29, 2015
The Falcons will tip off against the Kings tonight at 8 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m.
The ball will bounce at JDHS as well when the Crimson Bears host the Kings at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
“Every time you play Ketchikan, you can always expect something a little bit different,” TMHS coach John Blasco said. “Stockhausen is a good coach who is always tweaking things, adding new things, and he has smart kids who run a lot of different sets and give you a lot of different looks. We can expect things to be different than they were when we went down there a couple weeks ago.”
Ketchikan and Thunder Mountain are tied atop the SEC with 1-1 records after the Falcons traveled to Kayhi Jan. 16-17, winning 61-56 and losing 68-63. JDHS has not played a conference game this season.
“If you look at our second halves, obviously we came out and put up some points,” Blasco said. “It is hard to say what that attributes to. They have some better physical matchups than we do and so we will have to make adjustments defensively.”
Ketchikan defeated JDHS in the Region V tournament twice last season: 50-38 to open play and 59-54 in the elimination game after the Kings lost to TMHS. The second loss ended the Crimson Bears’ hope for a return to the state tournament after a two-year absence.
Thunder MOuntain then topped the Kings in the region title game 71-61 to earn its second straight state tourney trip.
“That is still fresh on my mind,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “They have had tough teams and I highly anticipate region being very competitive this year and the conference games are going to be dog fights. We are coming off a weekend off, and it has given us the chance to work on some areas of need and tighten some things up. We need to do better coming off of screens, just our execution … and make quicker rotations defensively. We got lots of good reps on that kind of stuff.”
Ketchikan has not made the state tournament since back-to-back trips in 2004 and 2005.
“We know that Ketchikan has had some success around the state this year, and they split with Thunder Mountain,” Casperson said. “They play extremely hard. They always seem to be fired up and ready to play when they come to Juneau. We know that they will cut hard, play good defense and they never quit. They are a well-coached team. Conference games are starting up, and that is always an exciting time of year. Every game is important from here on out, getting ready for regionals.”
Ketchikan recently played at South Anchorage High School’s O’Brady’s Invitational, winning the seventh-place game 44-42 over Glennallen. The Kings had opened the tourney with a 64-63 overtime loss to Nome, then lost 70-68 on a buzzer-beater to Lathrop. Nome won the tourney 53-31 over South.
The Falcons and Crimson Bears will have to slow down Kayhi senior 6-foot-2 co-captain guard Alex Pihl, who led the Kings with 17 points against Glennallen.
Pihl only scored six points in the loss to TMHS but netted 15 in his team’s win over the Falcons.
Inside, the Kings look to 6-foot-4 junior Mo Bullock, who tallied 14 and six points in respective games against TMHS, and improving 6-foot-5 junior Nathan Bonck.
“You are going to see two teams that have a lot of respect for one another’s programs,” Blasco said. “And are going to compete hard in a conference game for the right to win regions. We know that our last two conference games this weekend are against each other. These games matter because we won’t play them again until regions. I think both teams are going to give nothing short than their best effort and best competition. It is a natural rivalry because it is a conference team. Last year is past success. This year is a completely different team for both of us and the outcome is still to be determined. It is a good rivalry between the two, it is good healthy competition on the court. Stockhausen wants to go to state, I want to go to state, both our teams want to go to state … the same with JD. Everyone is fighting for the same thing, so it is a good rivalry.”
The Falcons and Kings don’t have the prime-time Friday/Saturday matchup, but the TMHS pep band alone helps attract fans and energizes the Falcons players.
“We have seen and split with Thunder Mountain; they are a really good team,” Ketchikan coach Eric Stockhausen said. “Some of their guys really stepped up for them … Trent (Uddipa) and Chase (Saviers) were just amazing when they needed them to be. That gives us a little more to thing about, on top of Jacob (Calloway) who is known as a top player in the state. We are going to take the game as it comes and make adjustments as to how things are going. We have seen several films on Juneau, they are definitely a threat too. They shoot the ball well, they have the two big guys (Bruce Jones, Bryce Swofford) who are high energy. It is going to be a tough weekend for us. We are just hopeful to try and do the things we have worked on and get better.”
The Kings have five players averaging 10 points per game or better on the season: Pihl, Bullock, 6-foot junior guard Matt Standley, 6-foot-2 junior guard Jason James and 6-foot-2 senior guard Ned Day.
“We can score from a lot of different areas,” Stockhausen said. “Right now we are not as predictable as teams we have had in the past. If the teams want to take one or two guys away, they are going to open up the floor a little bit for my other guys. We are balanced in a way we haven’t been since I have been here.”
In the Nome loss, Pihl and James scored 14 apiece and Standley 11; against Lathrop, Bullock scored 29 and Day 19.
This week’s action is the closest thing to a region tourney setting without a title on the line.
“It is the best dress rehearsal for regions because in regions you are going to play one of the Juneau schools one night,” Stockhausen said. “And regardless, for whatever reason, you will play the other one the next night. We do that twice.”
The Kings play at TMHS and then JDHS, repeat the next day against JDHS, have Super Bowl Sunday off and then play on the Falcons’ floor again.
“Making that transition from one team to the other, I think it is a dress rehearsal for what is eventually going to happen in March,” Stockhausen said.
An extra game will be played at halftime of Saturday’s clash at JDHS.
The Crimson Bears are partnering with the Special Olympics and will host a five-minute exhibition game between members of the Juneau Special Olympics basketball team.
That team includes players Jesse Quick, Leroy George, Kristina Brown, Chloe Deitrick, Alec Tolles, Ray Carpenter, Jacob Mallinger, Andres Jones, Jacob Lewis, Chris Brenner and Chavi Jones.
These athletes have been practicing weekly, and their season runs from March through May.
The Alaska Special Olympic Games are the second Saturday in June at Anchorage and include sports such as basketball, swimming, track, gymnastics and power lifting. Juneau competes in basketball and swimming. The basketball team has won a gold medal in the past and took silver last year.
JDHS basketball players partnered with the special Olympic players during a special needs basketball camp held last June at JDHS.
“That was where we got to meet some of these athletes,” Casperson said. “We are pretty excited for it. We thought this would be a good way to partner up again and let them have a chance to play in front of a good crowd and showcase their talents. The Special Olympic athletes play really hard and they really have lot of fun when they are out there. It is not about winning and losing; it is about how hard they work.”
Ketchikan Kings make conference swing - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The first major Southeast Conference home stands for the Thunder Mountain High School and Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball teams begin tonight with the Ketchikan Kings playing at TMHS.
Sunday January 11, 2015
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team defeated Kenai 69-63 on Friday and fell to Anchorage Christian 70-59 on Saturday to finish in sixth place at the 2015 Alaska Prep Shootout at Dimond High School.
The Crimson Bears played with intensity to start Friday’s game, opening a 20-13 first quarter advantage and leading 33-24 at the half.
“Our goal was to put a lot of pressure on them,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “We used a lot of traps in full court and that made a difference for us.”
Kenai closed to within five, 46-41, starting the final quarter.
“I don’t know if we were used to playing out in front,” Casperson said. “Kenai is a scrappy team and they battled back and made the game interesting. Usually we are in that position. When we are in those situations we are trying to get teams to turn the ball over or forget to block out. When we are playing from in front, we have to make sure that we take care of the ball and block out defensively. It was a good part of the learning process for us.”
Guy Bean led the Crimson Bears with 23 points, Bruce Jones added 11, Treyson Ramos 9, Gunnar Schultz 8, John Yadao 6, Kaleb Tompkins 5, Nathan Klein 4, Jacob Thibodeau 2 and Manase Maake 1.
“We had a lot of guys contribute on the floor,” Casperson said. “Molo Maka came off the bench to give Nathan a rest and immediately had a couple of blocked shots and grabbed some rebounds. He is kind of our energy guy — a Dennis Rodman-type of player. ... He asked me who that was, so we sat down and talked about him. I told him he does not need to change his hair color or get tattoos though.”
Keith Ivy led Kenai with 16 points, and Jonah Theisen, Josh Jackman and Kyle Foree added 11 each in the cause.
JDHS shot 22-of-45 from the field, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arch, and hit 19-of-25 from the charity stripe. Kenai was 23-of-60 from the field, including 6-of-17 from deep, and 11-of-18 at the line.
On Saturday the Crimson Bears ran into top 3A state contender Anchorage Christian.
“ACS is a tough opponent,” Casperson said. “That is a good opponent.”
The Lions jumped out to a 27-14 lead behind Trey Huckabay, who scored a game-high 24 points on the night.
“I yanked the starters after they gave up 16 points in the first three minutes,” Casperson said. “I put in a new five and they did a little better. I don’t know if we can continue a Jekyll-and-Hyde approach to the game. I told the guys after the game that whatever feeling they get when they are in their recovery mode and fighting and clawing to come back, they need to bottle that and start with that.”
ACS led 33-24 at the half and 49-35 starting the final eight minutes.
“We went hard to the glass in the fourth quarter,” Casperson said. “We blocked out like we were supposed to, we rotated quickly on defense but it was too little, too late. The damage was done. If we would have played like that in the beginning the outcome would have been different.”
Schultz led the Crimson Bears with 14 points, Bean added 12, Jones 10, Yadao 7, Ramos 5, Tompkins 4, Bryce Swofford 3, Thibodeau and Klein 2 apiece.
Bobby Wilson added 12 points for the Lions, Zack Bronson 7, Randy Kohutek 3, Tyler Scott 2, Brett Dickerson and Uri Simmers 1 apiece.
JDHS hit 20-of-63 field goals, including 8-of-22 from deep, and went 11-of-17 at the line. ACS was 20-of-44 from the field, including 10-of-21 from deep, and hit 20-of-31 at the line.
The Crimson Bears had just 5 turnovers compared to the Lions’ 11.
“We have to play with a sense of urgency,” Casperson said. “There is a finite number of games you get to play in your high school career and you can’t waste quarters, or halves or entire games. This is something that should be exciting for them and they should get out there with the anticipation of competing from the get-go.”
The Crimson Bears boys will play Wasilla at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at home.
Crimson Bears boys finding groove - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
JDHS splits final games at 2015 Alaska Prep Shootout
