Fraker, Lockhart, Nizich prepare for final regular season basketball games
- Klas Stolpe
- 36 minutes ago
- 6 min read
JDHS girls senior trio to be honored in weekend against Tri-Valley Lady Warriors
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Not overpowering in their height but devastating in their playing skill on the court, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls basketball seniors Raynona Fraker, Cambry Lockhart and Gwen Nizich have showcased their talents all season and will do it again this weekend.
“The most special thing about this team is their passion and willingness to become better and how respectful they are,” JDHS coach Tanya Nizich said. “Which is a direct result that stems from the upperclassmen’s leadership that these three seniors provide for us.”
The careers of Fraker, Lockhart and Gwen Nizich will be celebrated during this weekend’s final regular season basketball games at the George Houston Gymnasium against the visiting Tri-Valley Lady Warriors at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, followed by the varsity boys at 7 p.m.
Both the girls and boys 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.
“I will be sad to see them go but excited to see where their hard work and dedication takes them,” coach Nizich said. “I have no doubt that they will achieve any goal they set for themselves.”
The girls senior basketball trio are calm, composed and courageous to the core.
Lockhart first played basketball in fourth grade with Hoop Time, advanced to Hoop Rats, the former Dzantik’i Henni Middle School, and some summer action with now-defunct Thunder Mountain High School before her four-year career at JDHS.
“Basketball has meant a lot more than a game to me,” Lockhart said. “I think that there are a lot of life skills that come with it, with people and with, like the mental side of things as well, like pushing through hard things and just so many teamwork characteristics and stuff like that. Also just basketball is just something to enjoy and grow with other people in. Yeah, I have really enjoyed it and it has been great to have something like this.”
Fraker was raised in Yakutat until the fifth grade.
“I honestly cannot tell you when I first started playing,” Fraker said. “I have played my whole life, since I could walk. It has meant everything. Growing up, I watched all my siblings play basketball. My sister Rose (Fraker) was just inducted into the high school Hall of Fame, and she is one of my biggest heroes. I always love watching her play, and it just means a lot to me, like being able to play and basically be part of her legacy.”
Nizich also began playing basketball in elementary school.
“Coach Nizich has actually coached me from elementary school until now,” Gwen Nizich said of her aunt Tanya. “And basketball has meant a lot to me over the years. It just provides you with a built-in family. It also teaches you discipline, how to overcome adversity as you navigate the failures and successes of winning and losing.”
The trio was asked how they have grown as students and young adults.
“I have grown a lot,” Lockhart said. “I have grown to work really hard, especially in school. There have been some challenging classes that have just taught me that you kind of have to stay on top of things and not procrastinate which is a good life skill to have, especially going into the real world now and preparing for jobs and careers and stuff like that. Another big thing is like my coming out of my shell, I guess, I am pretty shy. I am not very loud, I would guess you could say. So I think being in the classroom and having to present and work on projects with other kids and growing and meeting with other students that you do not know is really helpful as well for my future.”
Said Fraker, “I feel like I have grown a lot, even from freshman year. Freshman year was really hard transitioning for me between eighth grade and ninth, being in a bigger school with a lot more people. Just having different like older kids being there to guide me through it and tell me, like, it is OK, really help me. And I have gone to JD, TM and I go to Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School right now. I do not technically go to JD. And just all the different classes and students, it is really life-changing. It really helps me grow as a person.”
Said G. Nizich, “High school has definitely taught me a vast amount of social and communication skills with my peers and teachers, which could, I don't know, translate to a boss maybe in the future. And another big thing I have learned is that there are so many things you can control, but there are a lot of things you cannot control too. So take charge of the opportunities that you can have an impact on, but also just don’t worry about the things you cannot control.”
Lockhart is a natural leader, the team’s coach on the court and has had a standout season. She is a great teammate to everyone, has a high IQ of the game and always has encouraging words that make the Crimson Bears want to work hard each and every day.
Lockhart said she would tell her younger self “to not be so worried about everything and kind of just let it play out and just work hard and be kind. There is a plan for you, so no need to stress it more than you do.”
Fraker brings an upbeat and fun attitude to every team practice, but on the court she is all business standing out with her relentless intensity on defense. The ultimate teammate, she looks to help whenever she can and does it efficiently and effectively.
Fraker would tell her younger self, “Listen to your parents. Listen to your parents when they tell you what will help you in the future. They are so bright about it. Just listen to them.”
Gwen Nizich is noted for her bubbly attitude and has been a dynamic player in whatever position needed to get the job done for the Crimson Bears. She is also known for her fierce work ethic, working hard in her spare time improving her game to help her team succeed with energy and determination.
G. Nizich said she would tell her younger self “not to try and please other people. Just be yourself, because you are never going to be able to make everyone happy, so you might as well make yourself happy.”
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
