Craig defends women's Gold Medal title in 59-35 win over Yakutat
- Klas Stolpe
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
MVP Michaela Demmert helps Prince of Wales island win ninth women’s title
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Craig women defended their Gold Medal title in style with a 59-35 win over a talented Yakutat squad during the final day of action Saturday at the 77th annual Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament.
Craig was on fire from outside as they totaled 15 points in the first quarter while Yakutat had an unusual day from the field and scored just three points in the first stanza.
“It is a good feeling,” Craig’s Nani Weimer said. “I feel like when everyone, when the gears are turning, and everything clicks and the bucket just seems like it is a lot bigger and shots are falling, it makes it a lot easier to work harder on defense.”
Craig’s Michaela Demmert connected on one shot past the arc in the first quarter and two more in the second, while Weimer hit one past the arc in the first 10 minutes and another in the second. Weimer would total 14 first half points and Demmert 11.
“I don’t know, it just kind of feels like a flow,” Demmert said of hitting from the arc with accuracy. “You just let it go, put it up. There is not really a lot of thinking. Key for us tonight was just keeping our momentum going. The last game against Yakutat we talked about slowing things down just to kind of have a mellow tempo and I think that kind of hurt us in a way because we slowed down too much. This game we just talked about keeping it going, keep hustling, keep battling like they are right behind us.”
Yakutat lost key player Trinity Jackson to an injury in their previous day’s win. The team adapted and balanced their scoring in the second quarter with a score past the arc from Marina Olney Mille, and baskets on rebounds and hustle plays on defense by Shaye Jensen, Rose Fraker, Janie Jensen, Nadine Fraker and Lorena Williams. But they trailed 34-14 at the half.
Craig opened the second half on a 14-2 run with scores by Demmert, Jeneta Nelson, another by Nelson on an assist from Molly Sharp, a shot past the arc by Lillian Borromeo, a fast break by Nelson and a Demmert shot past the arc to lead 48-16. Craig’s inside defense from Sharp and the outside pressure from Borromeo and Nelson, among others, was also critical as Yakutat is a fundamentally sound team that follows shots and blocks out consistently.
“At Gold Medal, we always know that it is rough,” Craig’s Sharp said. “We know that we have got to keep our composure and play really tough defense, stay up on them and not make reckless fouls. But play tough. We can’t be soft out there so we have a couple new girls that we kind of had to let them know that it is going to be rough and physical and you have to hold your own out there.”
The quarter would end under a running clock as Craig had built a lead of 30 points at 51-20. Yakutat’s S. Jensen hit two free throws to end the quarter for 51-22.
Craig slowed their pace in the final 10 minutes and Yakutat continued to play with effort but the final tally went to the defending champions 59-35.
“It is a lot of pressure to repeat,” Weimer said. “But we are happy to have it back and will keep rolling as long as our bodies will let us.”
Sharp added, “It is great, this is fun. This is a week we kind of look forward to all year long. Coming together and having family here and just spending a really good week together and watching some really good basketball games.”
The win is Craig’s second title, both in the womens bracket. Many of the team have played for Prince of Wales, which has seven women’s titles, including back-to-back in 2023-24 and the historic string of 1999-2002 and then 2005.
“It is super cool,” player/coach Tina Steffen said. She has been involved in all the island’s wins. “I am so proud of these girls. This tournament means so much to all the young girls playing because we all have our kids here or have had. All my boys have been here in the past since they were little and now my daughter (Craig junior Sara Steffen) gets to see it. We are trying to hold on for two more years so we can share the court with her. She is ready.”
The Craig roster included Demmert, Weimer, Steffen, Borromeo, Nelson, Sharp, Dior Vaughan, Faith Horner, Kensie Young and Vanessa James.
The Yakutat roster included R. Fraker, S. Jensen, Olney-Mille, J. Jensen, N. Fraker, Williams, Trinity Jackson, Kim Armendariz, and Violet Sensmeier.
“Another exciting year,” Yakutat’s R. Fraker said. “Lots of fun and competitive games. Would love to see the Lions begin to include the kids' side of it. Even if just championship day. The kids are growing up and spending their time in the gym watching their parents, aunts, uncles and even grandparents play in this tournament. How amazing would it be for them to get to feel those feelings early on just like them and play on the same floor? Other than that, what a fun week we had.”
The womens bracket All-Tournament selections were Alexis Russell (Metlakatla), Jeanette Nelson (Craig), Cheyenne Kookesh (Angoon), Rose Fraker (Yakutat), Jordan Wagner (Kake), Ryley Booth (Metlakatla), Nani Weimer (Craig) and Janie Jensen (Yakutat). Most Valuable Player was earned by Michaela Demmert (Craig).
“I just got off the phone with my papa, Mac (Arthur) Demmert,” Craig’s M. Demmert said. “He was all crying and is so proud of me and really happy to hear we won. He is 60-something. He got inducted into the Hall of Fame two years ago. I definitely was surprised to get the award. Definitely not something you assume to get, and it is just such an honor to receive that award. Watching my dad, Travis Dybdahl, you know, watching him go out on the floor and compete… He has been my idol growing up so I have always wanted to be like him.”
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
Women's Championship - Craig 59 (3-0) vs. Yakutat 35 (3-2)
Craig 15 19 17 8 — 59
Yakutat 3 11 8 8 — 35
Craig — Michaela Demmert 22, Nani Weimer 17, Veneta Nelson 11, Lillian Borromeo 7, Molly Sharp 2. 11 2PT / 10 3PT / 7-8 FT / 8 fouls - Sharp 2, Dior Vaughan 2.
Yakutat — Janie Jensen 12, Rose Fraker 10, Shaye Jensen 7, Marina Olney Mille 3, Nadine Fraker 2, Kim Armendariz 1. 8 2PT / 3 3PT / 10-14 FT / 7 fouls - Lorena Williams 2.
