JDHS’ Gasga and Nizich earn third-team honors

Crimson Bears showcased a talent laden team of basketball skills this season

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears senior Joren Gasga shoots under pressure from Service juniors Alexander Unks (15) and Jace Griffith, right, during their elimination game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe  

Juneau Independent

They were selected to the third team of the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches on Monday, but Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears senior guards Joren Gasga and Gwen Nizich played much higher than that ranking this season.

According to statistics provided by boys’ head coach Robert Casperson and girls’ head coach Tanya Nizich, the two players were instrumental in leading their teams to Region V championships and another trip to the Alaska School Activities Association March Madness Basketball State Championships.

Gasga is one of six Crimson Bears boys who played in all 27 games this season. Seniors Noah Ault, Christian Riely, Elias Dybdahl and Tyler Frisby, and junior Logan Carriker also showed that resilience in the 15-12 season. Senior Brandon Casperson played in 26 games, senior Kurt Kuppert 23 and sophomore Micah Nelson 21. Gasga and Dybdahl led the team with 25 minutes played per game, senior Brandon Casperson averaged 24, senior Kurt Kuppert and Carriker 22.

Gasga led the Crimson Bears with a scoring average of over 16 points per game. He also averaged over three rebounds, two steals, two assists and over one deflection per game, while committing an average of 1.1 fouls. Casperson led JDHS with nearly three assists per game and added close to three rebounds and two steals. Dybdahl led the team with over 10 rebounds per game and close to two blocks, two steals and two assists.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears senior Gwen Nizich (11) dribbles under pressure from Wasilla senior Kinley Lynch (12) during their elimination game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Nizich played in 20 of the Crimson Bears girls’ 24 games (16-8 record). Senior Cambry Lockhart and sophomores Sadie Lockhart and Freyja Shelton-Walker played in all 24, junior Layla Tokuoka and sophomore Athena Warr in 23. Nizich was second in minutes played, averaging 26, and C. Lockhart averaged 30, Tokuoka and S. Lockhart 25.

Nizich led the team in scoring, averaging over 14 points per game. She also was second in assists, averaging over two per game with C. Lockhart averaging close to three and Tokuoka two. Nizich led in deflections and steals with over two of each per game, and averaged under two fouls per contest. Nizich led the team in rebounds, averaging six per game, with Warr second just under six, and C. Lockhart, S. Lockhart and Tokuoka four per game. 

Seniors Nizich, C. Lockhart and Raynona Fraker declined invites to the AABC Senior All-Star games scheduled for April 10 at Anchorage’s Dimond High School due to prior commitments. Seniors Gasga, Elias Dybdahl and Kurt Kuppert will attend. Following are the AABC awards and All-Star teams across 1A/2A/3A/4A divisions. 

West Valley junior Jayden Miranda (3) is triple-teamed by Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Brandon Casperson, Tyler Frisby (21) and Joren Gasga (12) in an opening game at the ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

4A BOYS

Player of the Year: Jayden Miranda (West Valley).Coach of the Year: Jason Boerger (Grace).First team - Amelio Ambrosio (Dimond), Jayden Miranda (West Valley), Halen Nield (West Valley), Armani Smith (Lathrop), Bristol Tobin (Grace).Second team - Ashton Clarkson (Grace), Carmelo Mason (West), Lucian Mikes (South), Mylz Mongeau (Colony), Alexander Unks (Service).Third team - Jackson Ainsworth (Colony), Jace Christophersen (Dimond), Joren Gasga (Juneau-Douglas), Lukas Owen (Palmer), Braeden Speakman (East).

4A GIRLS

Player of the Year: Keelie Kronberger (Mountain City).

Coach of the Year: Lonnie Ridgeway (Mountain City).

First team - Kennedi Gaines (Bartlett), Keelie Kronberger (Mountain City), Taylor Passard (Colony), Jasmine Schaeffer (Mountain City), Aryanna Watson (Service).

Second team - Morgan Ainsworth (Colony), Wednesday Bithow (West), Savannah Kroon (Wasilla), Brooklynn Ridgeway (Mountain City), Sialeia Silva (Service).

Third team - Mielee Merchant (Wasilla), Harmony Jenkins-Foster (Bartlett), Gwen Nizich (Juneau-Douglas), Sloan King (Chugiak), Katie MacDonald (Dimond).

Barrow junior Alex Fruean (13) dunks against Mt. Edgecumbe during their 3A state championship game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

3A BOYS

Player of the Year: Alex Fruean (Barrow).

Coach of the Year: Nolan Rose (Kenai).

First team - Cohen Booth (Nome), Alex Fruean (Barrow), Guy Goldsberry (Mt. Edgecumbe), Kaden Herrmann (Mt. Edgecumbe), Trey Johnson (Sitka).

Second team - Miles Metteer (Kenai), Levi Pederson (Nome), Lane Schuerch (Nome), Jaziah Tivao (Barrow), Ethan Wheeler (Bethel).

Third team - Brady Bevard (Delta), Noriel Lugo (Delta), Xavier Gunderson (Mt. Edgecumbe), Jackson Iverson (Bethel), Shane Tincher (Sitka).

Kenai sophomore Bryleigh Williams dribbles under pressure from Mt. Edgecumbe senior Tahira Akaran during their opening game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

3A GIRLS

Player of the Year: Aiga Unutoa (Barrow).

Coach of the Year: Krystyna Park (Grace).

First team - Kylen Burnell (Barrow), Leila Church (Monroe), Aiga Unutoa (Barrow), MJ van der Horst (Grace), Poppy Wiggers-Pidduck (Grace).

Second team - Tahira Akaran (Mt. Edgecumbe), Marylene Burgett (Galena), Trinity Turiel (Monroe), Zadah Unutoa (Barrow), Bryleigh Williams (Kenai).

Third team - Leah Arroyo (Delta), Emersyn Cortez (Monroe), Maci Miller (Kenai), Ashlyn Nelson (Kotzebue), Faagi Unutoa (Barrow).

Ninilchik senior Kade McCorison (5) blocks a shot by Haines senior James Stickler (35) during their championship game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

2A BOYS

Player of the Year: Kade McCorison (Ninilchik).

Coach of the Year: Bryan Combs (Haines).

First team - Austin Barnard (Susitna Valley), Colton Combs (Haines), Kade McCorrison (Ninilchik), Taizano Nelson (Lumen Christi), Josh Smith (Unalakleet).

Second team - Emerson Cross (Seward), Aiden Knudsen (Petersburg), Rocco Lindsey (Metlakatla), Andon McCorrison (Ninilchik), Isaac Smith (Unalakleet).

Third team - Marvin Captain (Tok), Gianni Hayward (Metlakatla), Jacob Lane (Point Hope), Noah Pawuk (Petersburg), James Stickler (Haines).

Seward Seahawks junior Lia Shank (5) and senior Ava Jagielski (10 defend Metlakatla senior Morgan Hayward (20) during their semifinal game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

2A GIRLS

Player of the Year: Ava Jagielski (Seward).

Coach of the Year: Curtis Berry (Seward).

First team - Lily Esmailka (Susitna Valley), Ava Jagielski (Seward), Sara Steffen (Craig), Alianna Stone (Glennallen), Mikinley Williams (Seward).

Second team - Saahdia Buffalo (Metlakatla), Grace Ann Fleming (Seward), Isabella Nothstine (Cordova), Bernadean Simmons (Tok), Ashlyn Smith (Craig).

Third team - Violet Jack (Unalakleet), Rylee LaFortaza (Unalaska), Baileigh Nelson (Metlakatla), Victoria Nothstine (Cordova), Hailey Oktollik (Point Hope).

1A BOYS

Player of the Year: Seth Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik).

Coach of the Year: Silas Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik).

First team - Jonathan David (Minto), Chase Katchatag (Shaktoolik), Alek McGarry (Cook Inlet Academy), Seth Paniptchuk (Shaktoolik), Terrence Titus (Northway).

Second team - Royce Borst (Skagway), Michael Chase Gould (King Cove), Tyler Hugo (Nunamiut), (Nicholas Roberts (Minto), Brandt Rollman (Cook Inlet Academy).

Third team - Warren Charlie (Minto), Gavin Hanshaw (Selawik), Dallas Kaganak (Scammon Bay), Ivan Davis Nayokpuk (Shishmaref), Riley Wilson (King Cove).

Hoonah junior Easton Ross (11) scores under pressure from Akiuk Grizzlies sophomore Chloe Wassillie and junior Roberta Pavilla (3) during their elimination game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

1A GIRLS

Player of the Year: Kylee Carroll (Fort Yukon).

Coach of the Year: Josh Cadzow (Fort Yukon).

First team - Kylee Carroll (Fort Yukon), Madison Katchatag (Shaktoolik), Ida Lester (Newhalen), Nellie Ward (Fort Yukon), Kyra Weyanna (Shishmaref).

Second team - Olivia Harvilla (Bristol Bay), Brooklyn Hingesburgen (Selawik), Faith Mudge (Tri Valley), Summer Sampson (Shaktoolik), Jane Ward (Fort Yukon).

Third team - Sarah Bodfish (Meade River), Mia Cromer (Sand Point), Easton Ross (Hoonah), Iris Wappel (Tri Valley), Analeigh Wassille (Newhalen).

AABC ALL-STAR GAME PARTICIPANTS

Wasilla senior Katie Jackson (30) battles for a loose ball with Service junior Karlierose Lealaisalanoa (11) and freshman JJ Schmidlkofer during their opening game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

3A/4A GIRLS

Kylie Brendible (Ketchikan), MJ Van Der Horst and Poppy Wiggers-Pidduck (Grace Christian), Kinsey MacDonald and Katie MacDonald (Dimond), Jasmine Schaefer and Keelie Kronberger (Mountain City Christian Academy), Savannah Kroon, Claire Bredberg and Katie Jackson (Wasilla), Morgan Ainsworth and Emma Baily (Colony), Destiny Day and Mizzy Arbues (Kodiak), Alora Stasenko (Nome), Trinity Turiel (Monroe), Tahira Akaran (Mt. Edgecumbe), Gabby Palazzini (Eagle River), Aiga Unutoa (Barrow), Maliyah Achmid and Marylene Schmid (Service), Marylene Burgett (Galena), Iris Haas (Delta Junction), Makenzie Swanson, Mylie McConnel and Ashlyn Nelson (Kotzebue).

JDHS senior Elias Dybdahl powers a shot through Service juniors Alexander Unks (15) and Jace Griffith (23) during an elimination game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

3A/4A BOYS

Elias Dybdahl, Joren Gasga and Kurt Kuppert (JDHS), Amelio Ambrosio, Sam Odia and Ryan Alfano (Dimond), Ashton Clarkson, Bristol Tobin and Chris Jones (Grace Christian), Stephen Drussel (West Anchorage), TJ Small and Halen Nield (West Valley), Payton Weylouanna (Nome), Leyton Lockard (Colony), Armani Smith (Lathrop), Adrien Phiachantharath (Service), Serge Duchatellier II (Mountain City Christian Academy), Lukas Owen (Palmer), Kameron Bird (Nikiski), Josiah Tivao (Barrow), David Wiehl (North Pole), Jaxon Henrie (South Anchorage). Carter Eiter (Kenai) and Blake Hales (Chugiak).

Metlakatla senior Saahdia Buffalo (21) leads a fast break ahead of Seward junior Regan Seibert (2), senior Mikinley Williams (12), junior Lia Shank (5), junior Grace Ann Fleming (11) and senior Ava Jagielski (10) during their semifinal game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

1A/2A GIRLS

Kiera Sanderson (Klawock), Chloe Lane (Hoonah), Saahdia Buffalo (Metlakatla), Chisana Korth (Glennallen), Loretta Sinnok (Shishmaref), Liv Harvilla and Brooke Phelps (Bristol Bay), Krista Hugo Nunamiut), Pagan Lester (Newhalen), Iris Wappel (Tri-Valley), Rayla CJ Kaganak (Scammon Bay), Kylie Carroll, Jane Ward and Nellie Ward (Fort Yukon), Neveah Evans John (Tok), McKinley Williams (Seward), Jewel Alexander (Minto, Serenity Bifelt (Huslia), Ava Jagielski (Seward), Lily Esmailka (Su Valley), Calani Hingsbergen Sheldon (Selawik), Hailey Nashookpuk (Tikigaw), Lyndsey Long (Emmonak), Madison Katchatag (Shaktoolik) and Mary Kozevnikoff (Akiak).

Skagway senior Royce Borst (4) defends Klawock senior Connor Bagby (11) during their 7th place game at the 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska State Basketball Championships on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

1A/2A BOYS

Connor Bagby (Klawock), Noah Pawuk (Petersburg), Josh Bennett (Craig), Colton Combs (Haines), Royce Borst (Skagway), Tyrone Carlson (Hydaburg), Austin Barnard (Su Valley), Emerson Cross (Seward), Isaac Smith Unalakleet), Alek McGarry (Cook Inlet Academy), Jeff Frank and Jonathan David Jr. (Minto), Terrence Nutting Titus (Northway), Kade McCorison (Ninilchik), Jacob Lane (Tikigaq), Tyler Hugo (Nuniamiut), Dallas Kaganak (Scammon Bay), Miciah Graham (Tri-Valley), Brennan Larsen and Michael Chase Gould (King Cove), Taizano Nelson (Lumen Christian), Colton Hadley (Shaktoolik), Tristan Tilden (Dillingham), Pierce Borkowski (Emmonak), Gave Schibol (Kivalina).

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