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Crimson Bears carve up Kings during region championship feast

JDHS boys make reservations for state dining with Crimson Bears girls

Juneau-Douglas senior Elias Dybdahl (20) scores past Ketchikan junior Zyrus Manabat (12), junior Henry Vail (33) and sophomore Anthony Talauega (44) during the Crimson Bears' 59-34 win over the Kings for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Juneau-Douglas senior Elias Dybdahl (20) scores past Ketchikan junior Zyrus Manabat (12), junior Henry Vail (33) and sophomore Anthony Talauega (44) during the Crimson Bears' 59-34 win over the Kings for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe  

Juneau Independent


Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Elias Dybdahl was a master chef on Saturday night inside the George Houston Gymnasium, carving up a run of Kings and dishing out the remains to his deck boss and crew mates on a golden platter.


In basketball terms the 6’6” forward scored a game-high 19 points, had 16 rebounds, four assists, one blocked shots (numerous shot alterations), one steal and a couple deflections as the JDHS Crimson Bears boys basketball team defeated the Ketchikan Kings 59-34 for the 4A championship during the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A basketball tournament.


“It is amazing,” Elias Dybdahl said amid throngs of fans. “We lost that first game and I was kind of worried because I didn’t want to be the only one in the family without one, but I knew we could come back and win both games, so, this is nice.”


JDHS Crimson Bears players catch the championship net thrown by coach Robert Casperson after they defeated Ketchikan 59-34 for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
JDHS Crimson Bears players catch the championship net thrown by coach Robert Casperson after they defeated Ketchikan 59-34 for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

The JDHS boys will join the Crimson Bears girls as the Southeast Conference representatives at the 2026 March Madness Alaska Basketball State Championships on March 18-21 at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center.


Dybdahl has started blossoming against opponents this season, standing out and taking on more responsibilities.


“Just with the help of all my teammates and coaches,” he said. “I think I have found myself and my game.”


The Crimson Bears hit just four shots from past the arc. Instead they played through their big men inside, and Dybdahl and junior Logan Carriker could not be contained.


Carriker has become a pivotal part of the inside work, being the muscle needed to support battles in the key, while also being a sniper from the outside.


“We work really well together as a team,” Carriker said. “So, Eli gives opportunities for other people, Joren creates other opportunities for people..everybody gets each other open…everybody supports each other on and off the floor.”


Amid the post-game revelry Elias Dybdahl’s grandfather, Johan (a Gold Medal Hall of Famer) said, “Very proud of Elias… I remember when all the grandkids won their titles…I remember when you (talking to this reporter) played in ’78… this is so wonderful to see a packed gym for these kids isn’t it.”


The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé dance team performs during the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the JDHS George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

The packed gym saw JDHS shoot 45% from the field, according to stats provided by the team, while Kayhi was at 27%. The Crimson Bears were just 4-15 from the arc, but 15-27 closer in and 17-23 at the charity stripe. They forced Kayhi to a dismal 3-22 from the arc and 9-22 inside it. Kayhi went 7-10 at the line, but limited fouls by JDHS and a rebounding advantage of 35-15 showed the controlled tenacity of the Crimson Bears.


“This means everything,” JDHS senior Joren Gasga said. The 5’10” guard scored 15 points and was a tough assignment all week for Kayhi to deal with. “We have been playing together since middle school. I am kind of glad we combined, it just feels great. Logan (Carriker) and I went to Floyd (Floyd Dryden Middle School) together, and also with Brandon (senior captain Casperson), we were on the same team. But Eli and Tyler (senior Frisby), we were all split up, some at DZ (Dzantik’i Heeni), but I’m glad we came together and won a title… I know in middle school we started thinking about a high school title, we always wanted one.” 


Kayhi held a slim 14-13 lead after eight minutes, but the calm presence of JDHS was leading to the inevitable outcome as they worked to a 24-22 lead at the half. JDHS then exploded for 22 points in the third quarter with B. Casperson and Gasga scored six, Carriker five, Dybdahl three and senior Kurt Kuppert two. That led to a 13-2 fourth quarter that saw JDHS hit seven of those 13 points from the charity stripe and the Crimson Bears’ sea of swarming defenders from the starting five through their seven substitutes holding the Kings to a field goal.


Juneau-Douglas senior Brandon Casperson (5) is fouled by Ketchikan sophomore Rylan Hanchey (21) as Ketchikan senior Joziah Dela Cruz (11) and sophomore Anthony Talauega (44) look on during the Crimson Bears’ 59-34 win over the Kings for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Juneau-Douglas senior Brandon Casperson (5) is fouled by Ketchikan sophomore Rylan Hanchey (21) as Ketchikan senior Joziah Dela Cruz (11) and sophomore Anthony Talauega (44) look on during the Crimson Bears’ 59-34 win over the Kings for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

“It means a lot,” Brandon Casperson said. He scored nine points on Saturday, had four rebounds, four assists and accounted for two steals. His father Kevin won regions and state in ’82. 


“Yeah, I think my dad got a couple region titles,” he said. “We got one my freshman year…Last year we had all our goals in front of us and we didn’t come through with the championship. But this year we were able to put everything together as a team and as a unit and come out with the win. After the first game Thursday we definitely didn’t do the things we needed to do to come out with the win, we still had a chance to, but couldn’t pull through. So we still needed to win the two games, our goals were still in front of us and we were able to put everything we needed together to win.”


Frisby, along with classmates Kuppert, Noah Ault, Christian Rielly and Ryland Carlson, junior Hunter Carte, and sophomores Micah Nelson and Zachary Polasky, come off the bench with a defensive mentality but will score.


“It has been a long journey,” Frisby said. “From going from C team to varsity, losing regions sophomore year and not being able to play my sophomore year as well, and we came back but lost regions our junior year, and now…it’s like…we worked all this way to get here tonight. It has been a journey…and defense is the only thing I play for, I know it is the only thing that is going to give me playing time if I just work really hard on defense.”


Juneau-Douglas seniors Elias Dybdahl (20), Joren Gasga (12), Tyler Frisby and Kurt Kuppert (3) make a shot difficult for Ketchikan sophomore Anthony Talauega (44) during the Crimson Bears’ 59-34 win over the Kings for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Juneau's George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Juneau-Douglas seniors Elias Dybdahl (20), Joren Gasga (12), Tyler Frisby and Kurt Kuppert (3) make a shot difficult for Ketchikan sophomore Anthony Talauega (44) during the Crimson Bears’ 59-34 win over the Kings for the Region V championship at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Juneau's George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Defense and rebounding win championships. 


Each JDHS player knows that and the entire roster had championship game minutes except injured junior Erik Thompson who provided bench support when not working the microphone in early tournament games.


Elias Dybdahl’s father, Travis, has also cut down a few title nets, winning SEC four times (1993-97) and state once (1997) and brother Orion, a JDHS 2023 graduate, has cut down three SEC nets (2020-23).


“I think I have an idea what he is going through,” T. Dybdahl chuckled as he watched the celebrations. “He’s pretty stoic right now, but I know he is excited. Orion and I have Southeast championships, you know, and Elias did not want to be the only guy in the house not to have one. This is his first and he deserves it.”


As the Crimson Bears began a conga line through cheerleaders and fans and clipped off pieces of the championship net that had caught the last 16 minutes of their basketball prowess — and 16 earlier of Kayhi’s efforts — JDHS coach Robert Casperson sat in his coaching seat, wrapped in cheers and emotions as the gymnasium cradled he and his staff.


“I am really happy for the guys and I am super proud that things finished the way we were hoping,” Coach Casperson said, his voice cracking with happiness, weariness and the joyful association of leading the Crimson Bears. “And it’s not even that we were hoping, it’s that we worked for it, right? We made some adjustments. The guys implemented those adjustments really well during the last couple games…So my emotion would be pride, you know? I’m just really proud of the boys and it’s been a couple years so…it feels good, especially to get it at home…”


“One of the things we really focused on was rebounding,” coach Casperson said. “In our meetings and our film sessions. And I thought we did a great job of blocking out and rebounding and limiting Ketchikan to one shot. And we never really let them get in a rhythm with easy second chance opportunities and stuff like that. It’s a cliche, but defense and rebounding win championships and that is what we focused on…so…very proud for the boys.


Coach Casperson had cut down four region nets as a player.


“They are having a great time, I know that,” he said. “It’s really cool to see the little kids out there that are excited for them…”


Casperson’s voice broke, he paused.


“We tell the guys in our program… We ask them to think back to ‘when you were a little kid growing up, I guarantee you had a favorite player on the team.’ And every single one of them did, and so right now they are getting to see that reality that they are somebody’s favorite player because those little kids are over there shaking their hands and high-fiving them, and it is pretty awesome for them to see that…It is a lot of responsibility too and we will talk about that tonight…”


For this moment however, the coaching stopped. 


The cheers dimmed briefly as the last Crimson Bears player and assistant coach had cut a piece of the championship net, and it hung there waiting…The celebration noise heightened and all looked to coach Casperson who was led through the cheer squad with high fives and handshakes, and took the last snips at a region of good, hard work, waved it skyward to thunderous applause and then cast it to his team. 


And all emotional bedlam ensued as the 2026 Region V champion Crimson Bears joined the Region V champion girls team, the superior rated dance team, the first-place cheer team — and the hundreds of fans who supported them all — through the last few years, months and into Saturday night.


Juneau-Douglas 59, Kayhi 34

JDHS 13 11 22 13

Kayhi 14 8 10 2

Juneau-Douglas — Elias Dybdahl 19, Joren Gasga 15, Brandon Casperson 9, Logan Carriker 9, Kurt Kuppert 4, Zachary Polasky 3.

Kayhi — Anthony Talauega 9, Henry Vail 8, Edward Dela Cruz 6, Rylan Hanchey 5, Josiah Dela Cruz 4, Zyrus Manabat 2.


Saturday 2A/3A Results


Wrangell senior Shailyn Nelson (35), freshman AJ Roundtree (31) and Junior Alexis Easterly (25) battle for a rebound with Metlakatla senior Daycee King (14) during the 2A girls second-place game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Wrangell senior Shailyn Nelson (35), freshman AJ Roundtree (31) and Junior Alexis Easterly (25) battle for a rebound with Metlakatla senior Daycee King (14) during the 2A girls second-place game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Metlakatla Miss Chiefs 56, Wrangell Lady Wolves 35


The Metlakatla Miss Chiefs secured the second 2A girls bid to the state tournament with a 56-35 win over Wrangell. The Miss Chiefs went up 26-15 at the half. Wrangell had two free throws from Shailyn Nelson and a shot past the arc from Hailey Cook to pull to 26-24 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Miss Chiefs answered with a 7-0 run from Ma’karii Martinez and Baileigh Nelson in the key and Saahdia Buffalo from outside the arc to take a 33-24 lead. The Miss Chiefs led the Lady Wolves by 10, 38-28, starting the final stanza and Morgan Hayward hit four baskets in a row including one from the arc for a 47-28 lead and control of the game.


Metlakatla 56, Wrangell 35

Metlakatla 13 13 12 18

Wrangell 9 6 13 7

Metlakatla — Saahdia Buffalo 16, Morgan Hayward 12, Daycee King 8, Haylen Ladnier 6, Baileigh Nelson 6, Mia Winter 4, Ma’karii Martinez 2, Emma Garcia 2.

Wrangell - Hailey Cook 15, Alexis Easterly 12, Shailyn Nelson 5, AJ Roundtree 3.


Metlakatla junior Gianni Scudero-Hayward (1) lays a ball up between Petersburg senior Brayden Tucker (0) and freshman Camden Johnson during the Chiefs’ 36-30 win over the Vikings in the 2A boys second-place game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Metlakatla junior Gianni Scudero-Hayward (1) lays a ball up between Petersburg senior Brayden Tucker (0) and freshman Camden Johnson during the Chiefs’ 36-30 win over the Vikings in the 2A boys second-place game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Metlakatla Chiefs 36, Petersburg Vikings 30


The Metlakatla Chiefs punched their ticket to state, via the second berth express, with a 36-30 win over the Petersburg Vikings. What began as a baseball score amid football physicality in a basketball game became a chess match as Chiefs coach Tony Scott and Vikings coach Rick Brock shepherded their charges through two overtimes.


A 4-3 first-quarter score in favor of Metlakatla became a 9-9 halftime tie. Strong defense limited good looks from the arc and tougher defense in the key saw both teams looking to be patient with the ball. A solid sequence that explains how the game was played opened the fourth quarter with a steal by Petersburg’s Noah Pawuk who passed behind his back to Aiden Knudsen for what should have been a layup…instead Metlakatla’s Sebastian Martinez came from behind to block the shot.


Petersburg would open a 23-19 lead with a minute left in the fourth quarter. Metlakatla’s Gianni Hayward hit a free throw but missed the next and Petersburg had possession with 48 seconds left but turned the ball over. Hayward hit a shot past the arc to tie the game at 20-20. Petersburg worked the clock down with two timeouts and had an inbounds play under their basket stolen by Metlakatla to force the first four minute overtime.


Hayward scored twice to open extra time while Petersburg’s Brayden Tucker had a rebound score and Knudsen hit two free throws with under a minute to tie the game at 27-27. Metlakatla worked two time outs down but also turned the ball over with three seconds left and the clock expired.


In the second overtime Hayward was fouled past the arc and hit two free throws, C Lindsey hit from the arc and Hayward added another free throw for a 33-27 lead with a minute remaining. Petersburg’s Logan Tow drove through the key for a score with 30 seconds remaining. Metlakatla turned the ball over and Petersburg’ Camden Johnson hit a free throw to pull to 33-30 but Metlakatla’s Hayward controlled the ball and hit a free throw with 21 seconds remaining and C. Lindsey stole the next Vikings possession and was fouled, hitting both from the line for the 36-30 final.


Metlakatla 36, Petersburg 30

Metlakatla 4 5 6 8 4 9

Petersburg 3 6 7 7 4 3

Metlakatla — Gianni Hayward 11, Sebashtin Martinez 8, Rocco Lindsey 7, Cruz Lindsey 7, Bryce Olin 3.

Petersburg — Aiden Knudsen 11, Logan Tow 8, Camden Johnson 4, Brayden Tucker 3, Ben Kandoll 2, Noah Pawuk 2.


Sitka freshman Addie Marx (13) has a shot contested by Mt. Edgecumbe freshman Evangeline Hank (14) during the 3A girls championship game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Sitka freshman Addie Marx (13) has a shot contested by Mt. Edgecumbe freshman Evangeline Hank (14) during the 3A girls championship game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves 51, Sitka Lady Wolves 41


The Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves broke open a one point deficit game after eight minutes and took a 30-20 lead into halftime and never surrendered the lead to earn the 3A Region V championship and a trip to the state tournament.


The first quarter saw MEHS getting three shots past the arc, two from Gracelynn Friske and one from Ashlynn Lonewolf as they rebounded from their four point loss on Friday (55-51) to find their shooting touch again. The Lady Braves added another 15 points in the second quarter on seven field goals and one free throw while the Lady Wolves managed just four free throws and trailed 30-20 at the half, a deficit they would labor to overcome. Sitka closed to six points, 42-36 with two minutes left in the third quarter but Mt. Edgecumbe’s  Zoya Tuzroyluk found space at the arc for a basket. The Lady Braves would get the better of the fourth quarter by a point to carry the win and trip to state.


Mt. Edgecumbe 51, Sitka 41

MEHS 15 15 9 14

Sitka 16 4 8 13

MEHS 51, Sitka 41

Mt. Edgecumbe __ Gracelynn Friske 19, Tahira Akaran 17, Charity Mila 6, Zoya Tuzroyluk 3, Evangeline Hank 3, Lucy Capelle 2.

Sitka — Kailee Bradey 10, Addie Marx 10, Ally Mayville 8, Penelope Blankenship 6, Kensie Phippen 6, Maleah Partido 1.


Mt. Edgecumbe junior Xavier Gundersen (24) has a lay-in challenged by Sitka senior Trey Johnson (24) during the Braves' 72-62 win over the Wolves in the 3A boys championship game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
Mt. Edgecumbe junior Xavier Gundersen (24) has a lay-in challenged by Sitka senior Trey Johnson (24) during the Braves' 72-62 win over the Wolves in the 3A boys championship game at the 2026 Alaska Airlines Region V 2A/3A/4A Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Mt. Edgecumbe Braves 72, Sitka Wolves 62


Playing to their strengths the Mt. Edgecumbe Braves and Sitka Wolves mixed up an array of dives and shots past the arc in another fast-breaking wire-to-wire shootout, this time for the championship of Alaska’s 3A Southeast Conference.


Sitka hit four shots past the arc in the first quarter and MEHS’ Kaden Herrmann two himself as the Braves held a one-point lead after eight minutes. The Braves would increase that margin in the second quarter behind eight points from Royce Alstrom while Sitka’s Kai Hirai hit seven. MEHS led 37-28 at the half.


MEHS dominated the third quarter, outscoring Sitka 19-7 and holding a 56-35 lead starting the final stanza. Sitka made a run back into contention in the fourth quarter. The Wolves Trey Johnson scored 11 of his team-high 15 points in the final eight minutes, Shane Tincher hit two shots past the arc and Josh Partido and Kai Hirai added a basket from distance. Mt. Edgecumbe held off the rally by hitting half of their points in the quarter on free throws as Sitka took chances to win possessions.


MEHS 72, Sitka 62

MEHS 17 20 19 16

Sitka 16 12 7 27

MEHS — Kaden Herrmann 23, Royce Alstrom 20, Xavier Gunderson 18, Guy Goldsberry 7, Elden Andrew 2, Carlos Sandoval 2.

Sitka — Trey Johnson 15, Kai Hirai 13, Shane Tincher 10, Josh Partido 9, Brett Ross 8, Colton McGraw 4, Shan Carlos 3.


JDHS junior Jethro Cano sweeps the court during an action break in the Crimson Bears' 59-34 win over the Ketchikan Kings for the Region V championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. Cano was honored with a special recognition during the tournament's awards presentations. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)
JDHS junior Jethro Cano sweeps the court during an action break in the Crimson Bears' 59-34 win over the Ketchikan Kings for the Region V championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé George Houston Gymnasium. Cano was honored with a special recognition during the tournament's awards presentations. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

TOURNAMENT RECAP


Awards

 

Cheer Team

2A — 1) Haines; 2) Petersburg

3A — 1) Sitka

4A — 1) Juneau-Douglas

 

Dance Adjudication

Kayhi — Superior

Juneau-Douglas — Superior


Skill Contest Winners

Boys Free Throw — Brandon Casperson (Juneau-Douglas).

Girls Free Throw — Christina Johnson (Wrangell).

Boys 3 Point — Jackson Powers (Wrangell).

Girls 3 Point — Payton Nickich (Ketchikan).

 

Good Sports Awards

Juneau-Douglas — Boys Basketball: Noah Ault, Tyler Frisby; Girls Basketball: Bela Pyare, Blythe Lockhart; Cheer: Audrey Yu, Karina San Miguel; Dance: Claire Snyder, Yetke Miguel; Dance: Claire Snyder, Yetke Mertl; Pep Band: Daniel Degener, Stella Asplund.

Craig — Boys Basketball: Liam McCoy, Alex Trimmer; Girls Basketball: Abigail Patten, Jayla Edenshaw; Pep Band: Liam McCoy, Alex Trimmer.

Haines — Boys Basketball: Milo Jensen, James Stickler; Girls Basketball: Neva Brownell, Sophia Hedden; Cheer: MJ Hotch, Ruby Martin; Pep band: Maddox Rogers.

Kayhi — Boys Basketball: Maika Olap, Henry Vail; Girls Basketball: Peyton Nickich, Ezrah Harney; Cheer: Kate Thomas, McKinley Scott; Dance: Natalie Klose, Sarah Reynold; Pep Band: Jenessa Weisert, Kiera Linkenhocker.

Metlakatla — Boys Basketball: Robert Ridley, Bryce Olin; Girls Basketball: Ma'Karii Martinez, Saahdia Buffalo; Cheer: Mackenzie Williams, Reese Taylor; Pep Band: Aaron James, Maleka Booth.

Mt. Edgecumbe — Boys Basketball: Ethan Stone, Royce Alstrom. Girls Basketball: Gracelynn Friske, Zoya Tuzroyluk; Pep Band: Abby Jones, Trevor Bereskin.

Petersburg — Boys Basketball: Alex Holmgrain, Brayden Tucker; Girls Basketball: Zia Hulebak, Emi Anderson; Cheer: Kristina Barkfelt, Isabella Miller; Dance: Freya Tucker, Brooklyn Whitethorn; Pep Band: Nathan Kerr, Heidi Brantuas.

Sitka — Boys Basketball: Kai Hirai, Trey Johnson; Girls Basketball: Kailee Brady, Addie Marx; Cheer: Chiara Bonavaglia, Brandy Pepper.

Wrangell — Boys Basketball: Jackson Powers, Carter Howell; Girls Basketball: Shailyn Nelson, Jenna Meissner; Cheer: Sophia Martinsen; Pep Band: Arabella Nore, Everett Edens.


All Academic Awards

Juneau-Douglas — Boys Basketball: Ryland Carlson, Brandon Casperson, Tyler Frisby, Joren Gasga, Kurt Kuppert. Girls basketball: Cambry Lockhart, Gwen Nizich. Cheer: Hadley Bex, Marlee Gines, Renz Hill, Jonah Mahle, Megan Pierce, Kira Tupou, Richard Tupou, Audrey Yu. Dance: Yetke Mertl, Claire Snyder. Pep Band: Rowen Barr, Aaron Doten-Ferguson, Alexander Gilreath, Cayman Huff, Brynna Morgan, Emerson Newell, Katie Oudekerk, Kelsie Powers, Sarah Mae Rivera, Elyas Taylor, Lorelei Urrutia-Lugo.

Ketchikan — Boys Basketball: Edward Dela Cruz, Jozaiah Dela Cruz, Maika Olap. Cheer: Bristol Albrant, Kaylee Diamond, Payton Hagan, Kate Thomas, Brooklyn Williams. Dance: Czara Cabillo, Morgan DeLaet, Matalie Klose, Aurora Scott. Pep Band: River Colvell, Evan Dash, Clara Edenfield, Kalani Hauser, Jayden Huerta, Isabellą Brown, Rochelle Tavo, Sophia Zarate.

Sitka — Boys Basketball: Brett Ross, Kai Hirai, Shane Tincher, Trey Johnson. Girls Basketball: Ally Mayville. Cheer: Jeneva Arce.

Mt. Edgecumbe — Boys Basketball: Donald Olson, Elden Andrew, Kaden Kulukhon, Carlos Sandoval. Girls Basketball: Tahira Akaran, Angela Ayuluk, Lucy Capelle. Pep Band: Jack Alford, Graden Baker, David Hill, Sierra Isaak, Cecilia Kimzey, Ana Nick, Kate Plaisance, Georgina Tocktoo.

Craig — Boys Basketball: Adam Vickers, Joshua Bennett, Aiden Goheen. Girls Basketball: Abigail Patten.

Petersburg — Boys Basketball: Alex Holmgrain, Aiden Knudsen, Noah Pawuk, Logan Tow, Brayden Tucker. Girls Basketball: Natalee Bertagnoli, Rikka Miller. Cheer: Kristina Barkfelt, Ethan Bertagnoli. Dance: Freya Tucker, Brooklyn Whitethorn. Pep Band: Heidi Brantuas, Payton Dreisbach, Canek Elias Sosa, Torey Fry, Serena Helms, Nathan Kerr, Remi Tolkachova.

Wrangell — Boys Basketball: Ben Houser, Jackson Powers. Girls Basketball: Christina Johnson. Cheer: Paige Hoyt, Kalee Herman.

Haines — Boys Basketball: JC Davis. Cheer: Isabelle Alamillo, Madi Hart, MJ Hotch, Ruby Martin. Pep Band: Maddox Rogers, Matthew Rosenberry.

Metlakatla — Girls Basketball: Saahdia Buffalo, Ma’karii Martinez, Mia Winter.


All-Tournament Teams

 

Cheer

2A — Metlakatla: Reese Taylor, Mackenzie Williams. Wrangell: Paige Hoyt, Kalee Herman, Sophia Martinsen. Haines: Ruby Martin, Audrey Bader, Isabelle Avamillo. Petersburg: Jozlyn Turland, Isabelle Hammer.

3A — Sitka: Geneva Arce, Brandy Pepper, Jeeya Agullana.

4A — Kayhi: Kate Thomas, Payton Hagan, Bristol Albrant; JD: Karina San Miguel, Audrey Yu, Aidan Lazo Chappell.

 

Dance

4A — Kayhi: Morgan DeLeat, Aurora Scott; JD: Yetka Mertl, Claire Snyder, Neveah Algahbray.

 

Basketball All Conference

2A

Girls — Sara Steffen (Craig), Alana Harrison (Wrangell), Saahdia Buffalo (Metlakatla), Lexi Tow (Petersburg), Ashlynn Smith (Craig), CC Elliott (Haines), Chelsea Thompson (Craig), Ma'Karii Martinez (Metlakatla), Christina Johnson (Wrangell), Baileigh Nelson (Metlakatla).

Boys — Logan Tow (Petersburg), Colton Combs (Haines), Joshua Bennett (Craig), Joshua Knudson (Petersburg), Gianni Hayward (Metlakatla), James Stickler (Haines), Sebashtin Martinez (Metlakatla), Rocco Lindsey (Metlakatla), Jackson Powers (Wrangell), Noah Pawak (Petersburg).

3A

Girls — Evangeline Hank (ME), Addie Marx (Sitka), Tahira Akaran (ME), Ally Mayville (Sitka), Gracelynn Friske (ME)

Boys — Kai Hirai (Sitka); Kaden Herrmann (ME); Guy Goldsberry (ME), Trey Johnson (Sitka), Xzavier Gunderson (ME)

4A

Girls — Cambry Lockhart (JD), Kylie Brendible (Kayhi), Peyton Nickich (Kayhi), Layla Tokuoka (JD), Gwen Nizich (JD)

Boys — Anthony Talauega (Kayhi); Logan Carriker (JD), Elias Dybdahl (JD), Joren Gasga (JD), Brandon Casperson (JD)

 

Team Sportsmanship — Wrangell and Petersburg.


All-In Award — Jethro Cano (Juneau-Douglas junior). Award recognizes selfless service and dedication to the region.


Special Recognition — Sitka High School Athletic Director Rich Krupa for years of service.


2A Girls Champion - Craig Lady Panthers; Runner Up - Metlakatla Miss Chiefs.

2A Boys Champion - Haines Glacier Bears; Runner Up - Metlakatla Chiefs.

3A Girls Champion - Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves; Runner Up - Sitka Lady Wolves.

3A Boys Champion - Mt. Edgecumbe Braves; Runner Up - Sitka Wolves.

4A Girls Champion - Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears; Runner Up - Ketchikan Lady Kings.

4A Boys Champion - Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears; Runner Up- Ketchikan Kings.


Games Recap Region V 4A (best of three)

Thursday

Girls GM 1 - Juneau-Douglas 55, Ketchikan 36

Boy GM 1 - Ketchikan 58, Juneau-Douglas 56

Friday

Girls GM 2 - Juneau-Douglas 49, Ketchikan 37 - Region Champions JDHS Crimson Bears to state

Boys GM 2 - Juneau-Douglas 62, Ketchikan 36

Saturday

Boys GM 3 - Juneau-Douglas 59, Ketchikan 34 - Region Champions JDHS Crimson Bears to state


Games Recap Region V 3A (best of three)

Thursday

Girls GM 1 - Mt. Edgecumbe 64, Sitka 57

Boys GM 1 - Sitka 72, Mt. Edgecumbe 53

Friday

Girls GM 2 - Sitka 55, Mt. Edgecumbe 51

Boys GM 2 Mt. Edgecumbe 82, Sitka 67

Saturday

Girls GM 3 - Mt. Edgecumbe 51, Sitka 41 - Region Champions MEHS Lady Braves to state

Boys GM 3 - Mt. Edgecumbe 72, Sitka 62 - Region Champions MEHS Braves to state


Games Recap Region V 2A

Wednesday

Girls No. 4 Petersburg 43, No. 5 Haines 17

Girls No. 2 Craig 62, No. 3 Wrangell 32

Boys No. 4 Wrangell 61, No. 5 Craig 43

Boys No. 2 Haines 42, No. 3 Metlakatla 31

Thursday

Girls Elimination Game - Wrangell 32, Haines 27

Girls Winners Bracket - No. 1 Metlakatla 42, Petersburg 27

Boys Elimination Game- Metlakatla 62, Craig 32

Boys Winners Bracket- No. 1 Petersburg 48, Wrangell 12

Friday

Girls Elimination Game - Wrangell 35, Petersburg 27

Girls Championship Game - Craig 47, Metlakatla 41 - 1st state berth CRG Lady Panthers

Boy Elimination Game- Metlakatla 42, Wrangell 39

Boys Championship Game - Haines 42, Petersburg 40 - 1st state berth HNS Glacier Bears

Saturday

Girls Second Place Game - Metlakatla 56, Wrangell 35 - 2nd state berth Metlakatla Miss Chiefs

Boys Second Place Game - Metlakatla 36, Petersburg 30 - 2nd state berth Metlakatla Chiefs


• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.

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