Crimson Bears senior basketball boys to be honored on Saturday
- Klas Stolpe
- 32 minutes ago
- 8 min read
JDHS’ Ault, Brewer, Carlson, Casperson, Dybdahl, Frisby, Gasga, Kuppert, Rielly, Williams will be feted
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Basketball is more than wins and losses. The totality of that is showcased in the young men representing the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé basketball teams this season.
“Through basketball, I have learned the importance of accountability and communication,” JDHS Crimson Bears senior Veron Brewer said. “It has made me a better student by teaching me to speak up when I am struggling with a problem or do not quite understand something, and to take responsibility for my mistakes, whether that is being late on an assignment or not doing my best on a project. I believe that these lessons have helped me grow as a person and become more responsible both on and off the court.”
The basketball careers of JDHS seniors Brewer, Noah Ault, Ryland Carlson, Brandon Casperson, Elias Dybdahl, Tyler Frisby, Joren Gasga, Kurt Kuppert III, Christian Rielly and Tyler Williams will be celebrated during this weekend’s final regular-season basketball games at the George Houston Gymnasium.
The Crimson Bears will face the Tri-Valley Warriors at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, preceded by the varsity girls at 5 p.m. Both the boys and girls senior players will be honored between the Saturday varsity games, along with the pep band seniors. The cheer and dance seniors will be honored between varsity games on Friday.
“Veron has been awesome to work with in our program,” JDHS head coach Robert Casperson said. “He is very athletic and has only scratched the surface of his athletic abilities. We are very hopeful that he will join the track and field team this spring to see what opportunities lie ahead. We know that with Veron’s kind nature and positive attitude he will be successful as he moves forward with everything he plans to do after graduation.”
Following are a compilation of thoughts from the JDHS coaching staff on their seniors (seniors were asked what basketball has meant to them and are included if available):
Noah Ault - Noah is new to us this season, but he has been a joy to work with since he started attending preseason workouts. Most people recognize him from his football exploits, but we are thankful he decided to join basketball this season. He has brought a positive attitude and is extremely coachable. Noah is a great teammate as he is always encouraging everyone to do their best. These traits will serve him well as he pursues his education while playing football in college.
"This season I have learned so muh through basketball," Ault said. "It has taught me to be patient and understanding and to have fun! It has made me a better student and classmate through being kind and helpful. I would like to thank my coaches, family and teachers for pushing me and teaching me everything I know."
Ryland Carlson - Ryland is new to the varsity this season and we are happy to have him. He’s a very kind and respectful young man. He understands the concept of “service above self” and is the first one to jump in and help others. During practices and games, he always works hard and tries to do his best. We’ve enjoyed getting to know him better this year and look forward to seeing all the great things that his future holds.
Brandon Casperson (co-captain) - Brandon is a four-year varsity member and during that time he has displayed a lot of grit and determination. His growth over the years has been key to our growth as a team. We appreciate his toughness, as he often chooses to defend our opponents’ leading scorer and/or primary ball handler. His ability to set and achieve goals will serve him well moving forward. It has been a lot of fun to coach my nephew, and I am excited to see his continued success after graduation.
“Through basketball, I have learned a lot about accountability and resilience,” B. Casperson said. “The game forces you to be honest with yourself. If you don’t put in the work, it shows. If you make a mistake, you have to move on quickly and focus on the next play. That mindset has helped me in the classroom because I don’t get as discouraged by a tough test or assignment. Instead of shutting down, I try to adjust and improve… Basketball has also taught me how important your role is within a team. Not everyone is the leading scorer, but everyone contributes in some way. That perspective has made me a better classmate because I understand that group work, discussions, and projects function the same way. Listening, communicating clearly, and supporting others matter just as much as individual performance. Most importantly, the sport has shown me the value of discipline. Balancing practices, games, travel, and schoolwork requires time management and commitment. Learning how to stay organized and focused during the season has directly translated to being more responsible and consistent as a student… Overall, basketball has helped me grow not just as an athlete, but as a teammate, leader, and student.”
Elias Dybdahl (co-captain) - Elias has an easy-going nature and kind disposition, which has made him a great teammate. His dedication to the game has led to steady improvement during his time in our program. He has become an impact player on both sides of the ball, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds this season. I would expect that Elias will use the lessons he’s learned in high school to maintain his path forward after graduation.
“Basketball has taught me the importance of teamwork,” Dybdahl said. “Working together with my teammates has not only improved our performance on the court but has also made me a better student and classmate. I have learned to communicate effectively, support my peers and trust in our collective efforts.”
Tyler Frisby - I have enjoyed working with Tyler over the years in our program. As a multi-sport athlete, Tyler has brought a quiet work ethic to the team where he leads by example. This is especially seen in the weight room and on the defensive end of the court. His effort and determination this season has inspired his teammates to match his intensity. I can say with confidence that he will continue to be successful with this approach after graduation.
“Basketball has taught me that nothing is ever given to you and you have to earn everything,” Frisby said. “With this work ethic becoming a mindset of mine it has helped me a lot as a student and working to get the grades I need and help others do the same and has also helped me outside of the classroom as well.”
Joren Gasga (speaking captain) - I’ve enjoyed getting to know Joren the past few years. He has worked to expand his game coming into this season. He has always been a very talented scorer, and this year he has worked to improve his defense and passing to provide more opportunities for success. Joren is also respected by his teammates and coaches for the way he works to unite everyone in working towards a common goal. Again, we expect big things from
Joren after graduation.
“Throughout basketball I have learned how to become a better leader on and off the court,” Gasga said. “I have learned to stay composed under pressure while holding the team accountable and be someone my teammates can rely on. That also carries into the classroom, being responsible, and setting good examples, and pushing myself and classmates to improve when things get challenging.”
Kurt Kuppert III - Kurt’s desire to learn and improve has made a positive impact on the team. The past two years he has been a dead-eye shooter that shows up on every opponent’s scout. But this season, he worked hard to become a well-rounded player that can impact the game defensively, too. We appreciate Kurt and his drive and determination. The way he works hard to achieve his goals will serve him well as he attends college after high school.
"I have learned that I am disciplined and able to stay focused under pressure," Kuppert said. "Those qualities help me manage my time, work well with others and stay motivated as a student and classmate."
Christian Rielly - Christian brings a unique blend of “tweener” to the program. He is smaller than your traditional forward, bigger than your typical guard and loves to rebound. This makes him a tough matchup for his teammates in practice and his opponents in games. He is often an underdog, but enjoys competition. He brings energy and enthusiasm to every day and we have enjoyed his presence on the varsity. I expect that he will continue to use his positive character traits and personal talents in his life after graduation.
“Basketball has helped me learn in multiple ways, teaching me how to communicate better, ask questions, be a good teammate and student, and be responsible for myself,” Rielly said.
Tyler Williams - Tyler has come a long way in his time with the program. He has put forth so much effort and learned about dedication and goal-setting. We are very proud of him and I imagine his best basketball lies ahead. The progress he has made during his time in our program has been a lot of fun to be a part of and we believe he will continue to use these skills to further his opportunities post graduation.
“Basketball has shown me the importance of communication and teamwork,” Williams said. “Success is not about one person, it is about trusting your teammates, understanding your role, and supporting others. That mindset has made me a better student and classmate because I bring the same work ethic and collaboration into the classroom. I stay focused on long-term goals, participate actively, and try to contribute positively in group work. Just like on the court, I understand that everyone plays a part in creating a successful team environment.”
The JDHS boys play the Tri-Valley Warriors at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium, following the girls games at 5 p.m. against the Lady Warriors.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
