Juneau players, teams, fans earn honors at MEHS Invitational
- Klas Stolpe
- 2 days ago
- 13 min read
Dybdahl, Huemann, Larson, Tompkins ball out at 19th annual adult basketball tournament
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Mt. Edgecumbe High School’s B.J. McGillis Gymnasium continues to house one of the most popular adult basketball tournaments in the state as the 19th annual MEHS Invitational had record attendance, participation and sponsorships.
“We estimated 95 kids and 150 adults played this year,” tournament assistant Andrew Friske said. MEHS boys' coach Marshall Vest was the tournament director.
MEHS students volunteer their time, and the community of Sitka provides housing and additional support. Volunteer officials work two courts, which can run 60 games in three days.
“Players don’t have to take as much time off of work and there is a great atmosphere from student and community support,” Friske said. “We really try to go out of our way to accommodate teams. Finding affordable housing, free T-shirts, preparing dinners for teams — the cross-country and DDF teams were chefs this year. We also take pride in getting really good officials. Players respect the hard work all of the students do to help make this tournament happen also.”
Juneau attendees reaped the benefits.
In the men’s 45 and older bracket, 1997 Juneau-Douglas High School graduate Travis Dybdahl earned most valuable player honors, leading the SE Old Timers to a 77-55 championship win over All Nations (Washington). Joining Dybdahl on the men’s 45 all-tournament team were teammates David Buss and Jimmy Jensen.
“I was honored to be chosen as the MVP,” Dybdahl said. He also helped Klukwan win the 37 and older title and was an all-tourney selection in that division. “I played with some Southeast legends on this year’s team that I have battled against over the years in various tournaments, but especially during Gold Medal. Players like Andrew Friske, Jimmy Jensen, Dave Buss and others. It is a blast to be able to play with them at our advanced ages and still be able to compete and win championships. I think I can speak for most of them when I say that although we all love basketball and the competition, it is the camaraderie and friendships that keep bringing us back each and every year. I was telling Andrew (Friske), basketball is the best and most fun when you play with smart, unselfish players who only care about winning. We all cheer each other on and want to do our part to help win no matter what it takes.”
In the women’s bracket, 2003 JDHS graduate Danielle Larson earned MVP honors leading Juneau to a 79-74 win over Anchorage.
“I definitely did not expect the MVP, I can tell you that,” Larson said. “I’m playing against players half my age at this point. I actually moved a minor surgery — by a week — to be able to play in this tournament because I love this tournament and competing so much. This is one of the only ones I get to play in, being a non-Alaska Native, and Mt Edgecumbe has the best court in Alaska. Some of us that were here last year had a little chip on our shoulders from losing to Anchorage last year, or at least I did. Playing Anchorage is always fun, though, they always bring a tough team and this year was no different. It was helpful they did not have a true post that could guard me, or Mary (Berry), or Tash (Huemann). I was able to get a lot of open looks close to the basket and great passes from my teammates in the post. Whatever team I am on is always quick to point out a mismatch on me and try to get me the ball as much as possible, which was a lot this tournament. When shots aren’t falling from outside, you have to get the ball inside and/or drive to the basket, so that is what we did to win this tournament. I am thankful to still be able to play and compete at a high level and with some teammates I have been playing with for 25 years.”
Joining Larson on the all-tournament team were teammates Jonelle Staveland (2013 TMHS), Caitlin Pusich (2019 JDHS), Mary Berry (2005 JDHS) and Alyxn Bohulano (2020 JDHS).
“This is my second year doing the tournament, and it’s special because everyone comes together to play a sport we still love, even as we get older,” Pusich said. After high school she played at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with Anchorage opponent Destiny Reimers and tourney referee Zosha Krupa. “It’s a chance to step away from real life for a bit and just play a lot of basketball and have fun. Playing with such an awesome group of women makes it a great experience. Seeing familiar faces within the basketball community I grew up in makes the tournament feel even more memorable.”
Alex Huemann, a 2004 JDHS graduate, earned MVP honors leading Klukwan to the men’s 37 and older bracket title over Metlakatla 96-69.
“Our team battled back from a loss to Met in game one and won three in a row to earn this one,” Huemann said. “As always, the Sitka tournament brings in talented players from all over Southeast and the state. The field was tough and physical with everything earned. Respect to all involved. Andrew Friske and his team/family run a top-notch event every year. The organization, medical support/PT, reffing are all top notch…Our wins were a result of each player stepping up, making momentum-changing plays and hitting big shots in big moments. Every player on the squad made an impact…As always, the voice of the tourney, Keith Perkins calling games, makes it the best!”
Kaleb Tompkins, a 2016 JDHS graduate, was selected to the open division all-tournament team and helped Capital to Coast Crew make the title game, which they lost to Anchorage’s Snow City
87-75.
“This is only my second time coming to this tournament, but I really hope it continues because these types of tournaments are what Southeast basketball is all about,” Tompkins said. “Playing against good competition, meeting new people and catching up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. The team I was on is a combination of Sitka guys and Juneau guys, and it was a great group that was fun to play with. We ended up playing Anchorage in the championship, but they pulled it out at the end. They have a solid team that plays well together, their chemistry and ability to make shots make them a tough team to compete with…It’s always an honor to make any all-tourney team, and with the amount of talented people I saw this week it makes me even more appreciative."
"Overall, I just love being able to compete and watch others do the same thing. Basketball really is more than just putting a ball in the hoop, and the more I am around the game the more I believe that. I want to thank Zach Anderson for asking me to play, and look forward to all the future tournaments.”
The tournament also gives out a Super Fan Award, which went to 1976 JDHS graduate Scott Larson.
“It was something I didn’t expect,” Larson said of the honor. He has followed his daughter’s (and son’s) team through various tournaments over the seasons. “I think it is just being present. I cheer at every game, encourage the girls constantly and I make a few comments to the referees. The girls know who I am, I have a big smile, and I try to help them out a little bit. Tell them what I see and stay positive. I had no idea they had an award. I just enjoy watching how hard the players work and telling the referees what I see. The teams that come really seem to enjoy the tournament and fans get to see some college players. There was a lot of good basketball on the best court in the state and the best tournament, they take all teams in Sitka. I don’t know how I was given this award. Announcer Keith Perkins said he knew who I was before he even saw me, I guess I was loud. I talk to the girls and players and refs all the time. It is just so much fun.”
Most Inspirational Awards were given to Anthony Willard, David Buss and Andrew Friske, and the Iron Man Award went to Metlakatla’s William Hayward.
Buss, a 1990 Haines graduate, said, “I am not sure that I am the most inspirational player out there, but I am just grateful to still be playing basketball and thankful for the community of players that have literally saved my life."
A heart attack in December 2018 on the Glacier Valley School court resulted in players using CPR and an AED to revive him.
“One of the first things I asked the surgeon when I was recovering was if I could play in the tournament in Sitka in January," he said. "I didn’t make that one, but I did play in Gold Medal that year. I am thankful we have AEDs in all our schools in Juneau… There is something very special about basketball in southeast Alaska and the Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational is a tournament that brings the communities together. It takes a community and basketball is one of those communities I am lucky to be a part of. Truthfully this tournament inspires me to keep getting on the court along with sharing the love of the game with future generations through coaching and volunteering… and watching the youth players on the big court is what it is all about!”
The MEHS Invitational also has a middle school and youth division. This year, teams included boys' squads from Craig fourth and fifth grades, Sitka ninth, MEHS A, B and C and Baranof Ballers sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Girls' teams were from MEHS A, B and C and Baranof Ballers seventh and eighth grades.
“The MEHS Alumni basketball tourney has been a wonderful outlet for people to come together and play basketball,” Open Division ANB player Tracy Jackson said. “They've always taken care of their teams and guests. Not only is it a good outlet for the Southeast communities, it has also been a great event for students and former basketball players to come back and visit. This year you had former students come to play and cheer… Seeing that they started to incorporate high school basketball teams and also the addition of youth basketball games has created even more of a bonding effect between lifelong friends, allowing kids to travel and play in the same atmosphere as their moms and dads. Big thank you to Andrew Friske and all the supporting members with him.”
Referee Iron Man Awards were presented to Peter Baksis (Valdez), Nick Gust Jr. (New Stuyahok), Rachel White (Hoonah), Gary McCary (Sitka), Brian Friske (Tacoma) and Zosha Krupa (Sitka).
“The Edgecumbe tournament is always a delightful event to attend,” Krupa said. “It serves as a mini Southeast reunion for all players who grew up playing basketball in Southeast Alaska. We also have the opportunity to meet new people from across the state. This year, I was thrilled to have two of my college teammates join us for the tournament. Watching them compete brought back memories of our college days. Unfortunately, I’ve committed to retiring from basketball, but still getting to referee the tournament was a lot of fun. Our main focus is to support the players and ensure they have a great time.”
Championship Results (Saturday)
Men’s Open Championship
Snow City (Anchorage) 87 vs. Capital to Coast Crew (Juneau/Sitka) 75
Snow City: Nick Chichenoff Jr. 27, Esai Montes 16, Jarel Tom 15, Lim 14.
Capital to Coast: Tompkins 24, Zach Anderson 16, Jaren Sumauang 11, Marshall Vest 9.
All Tourney: Snow City - Chichenoff Jr. (MVP), Yee Nou, Tom, Montes; Capital to Coast - Tompkins, Anderson, Sumauang; Kake - Simon Friday; Metlakatla - Archie Dundas Jr; Edgecumbe Alumni - Leon Toomer, Jake Friske, Jamal Alstrom; ANB - Tristan Tickett, Ryan Morgan; Hydaburg - Greg Frisby.
“I have played on multiple teams in this tournament over the years,” Coast to Coast Crew captain Zach Anderson said. He is a former Oregon State football and Linfield College and Eastern Oregon basketball player. The former Juneau resident now lives in Sitka and is on the MEHS coaching staff. “Being a down south guy, you kind of just find where you can fit in, but I have played with guys from Kake to Haines and a lot of teams put together. The last few years I put together this one myself. I am 37 this year so I don't know how much talent I have left, but I definitely spent some time playing in college. To me, from the down south perspective, a lot of what makes this tournament so special is not only the fundraising for the school and for a lot of these MEHS kids to watch basketball being played by people with experience or from other regions…Basketball is a beautiful sport and there are different ways of playing it so they get to see that along with the history of the communities coming together for competition and pride. Just bringing the basketball community together, along with the fundraising, and being able to see friends and compete against people every year… There are other great tournaments that happen in Southeast, too, but this one is run really well and one of the better on the competition level as well.”
Women’s Championship
Juneau 79 vs. Anchorage 74
Juneau: Staveland 24, Larson 17, Pusich 17, Bohulano 13, Berry 8. Anchorage: Shauna Koonak 30, Destiny Reimers 29, Toni Lawless 6.
All Tourney: Juneau - Larson (MVP), Staveland, Pusich, Berry, Bohulano; Anchorage - Koonak, Reimer; Dillingham AIA - Fiona O’Flaherty, Rose Fraker.
“The tournament is one of the best in the state,” 2004 JDHS graduate LaTasha Huemann said. She played on the Juneau women’s team that also included Michaela Demmert (JDHS 2014). “From the hospitality to the community, there really is no better court and the announcer Keith (Perkins) is hilarious. The diversity of players, young and old, who have played together since elementary or are just coming together to meet is amazing! From those just graduating from playing collegiate ball to those celebrating turning 40, every year someone has the chance to be the standout player of the tournament. This year, I was fortunate as it was my husband (Alex) for the 37 and older category and my best friend (Danielle Larson) for the women’s league. Friske (Andrew) does a phenomenal job, and our whole family is so so grateful and look forward to this trip every year... and every year, competition-wise, I get humbled.”
Men’s 45 Championship
Southeast Old Timers 77 vs. All Nations (WA) 55
SE Old Timers: Travis Dybdahl 22 points, David Buss 18, Erik McCormick 8, Travis See 7. All Nations: William Hayward 13, Tuffy Kirk 12, Emit Taylor 8, Steve Booth 7.
All Tourney: SE Old Timers - Dybdahl (MVP), Buss, Jensen; All Nations - Taylor, Kirk, Hayward; Sitka - Efren Arce, Matt Love.
Men’s 37 Championship
Klukwan 96 vs. Metlakatla 69
Klukwan: A. Friske 22, Huemann 21, Brian Friske 18, T. Dybdahl 16, Zach Klein 9.
Metlakatla: Bryan Hayward 25, Clifton Guthrie 16, William Hayward 8, Tracy Jackson 7.
All Tourney: Klukwan - Huemann (MVP), B. Friske, A. Friske; Metlakatla - Guthrie, B Hayward; Yakutat - Martin Sensemeir; Hydaburg - TJ Young, Freddy Hamilton.
Wednesday Results (and top scorers)
Open - Kake 76, Metlakatla 72. Kake - Friday 22, Kendrick Payton 13, Dezi Miller 12; Metlakatla - Brody Booth 21, Kyan Scudero 14, CJ Hudson 13.
Open - Snow City 107, Hydaburg 93. SC - Nou 20, Andrew Bennett 18, Tesloach Kueth 16; Hydaburg - Darren Edenshaw 23, Young 18, Hamilton 16.
Thursday Results (and top scorers)
Masters - Sitka 55, SE Old Timers 47. SIT - Mitch Mork 14, Love 9, Jeremy Plank 8. SE - A. Friske 20, Dybdahl 12, Jensen 9.
Open - CapToCoast 120, EdgeAlum 85. CTC - Sumauang 31, Tompkins 31, Vest 22; EA -J. Friske 22, Toomer 17, Trey Adams 14.
Mens37 - Hydaburg 92, Yakutat 84. HYD - Hamilton 31, Young 30, Darren Edenshaw 14; YAK - Sensemeir 28, Adam Johnson 14, Ralph Wolfe 14.
Mens37 - Metlakatla 87, Klukwan 84. MET - W. Hayward 21, Guthrie 19, Chris Booth 12; KLWN - Huemann 32, Dybdahl 21, B. Friske 12.
Masters - Sitka 63, All Nations 45. SIT - Plank 20, Arce 13, Mork 12; AN - W. Hayward 22, Taylor 10, Kirk 3.
Womens - Juneau 86, Anchorage 67. JNU - Berry 22, Pusich 16, Staveland 10; ANC - Reimers 36, Koonuk 20, Booth 5.
Open - Snow City 90, Kake 71. SC - Lim 21, Kueth 20, Nick 12; KAK - Tristan Ross 18, Friday 16, Shawn Merry 16.
Open - CapToCoast 99, ANB 61. CTC - Tompkins 23, Cody Grussendorf 19, Will Gisler 17; ANB - Tickett 14, Sarren Silas 13, Shea Jackson 12.
Friday Results (and top scorers)
Open - Metlakatla 102, Hydaburg 96, Double OT. MET - CJ Hudson 23, Dundas 22, Booth 19; HYD - Edenshaw 20, Trever Olson 19, Young 18.
Masters - SE Oldtimers 56, All Nations 40. SE - Dybdahl 29, A. Friske 9, Dan Robinson 6; AN - W. Hayward 12, Kirk 6, Taylor 6.
Womens - Anchorage 91, AIA 55. ANC - Kook 31, Reimers 30, Booth 12; AIA Haley Topkok 18, Fraker 9, O’Flaherty 8.
Mens37 - Klukwan 117, Yakutat 95. KLKW - Huemann 41, B. Friske 30, Dybdahl 22; YAK - Sensemeir 26, Derek James 21, Wolfe 13.
Open - ANB 90, Metlakatla 76. ANB - Tickett 28, Kacy Green 18, Morgan 16; MET - Scudero 24, Booth 13, Trinity Jackson Jr. 11.
Open - EDGE ALM 66, Kake 56. EDGE - J. Friske 21, Toomer 11, RJ Didrickson 10; KAK - Friday 16, Mahina Toutaiolepo 12, Ross 8.
Womens - Juneau 41, AIA 36. JNU - Larson 14, Bohulano 8, Berry 8; AIA - Fraker 11, Kim Armendariz 8, O’Flaherty 8.
Mens37 - Metlakatla 73, Hydaburg 71. MET - W. Hayward 26, Guthrie 15, T. Jackson 14; HYD - Hamilton 24, Young 12, Edenshaw 12.
Open - Snow City 100, CapToCoast 99. SC - Tom 16, Lim 16, Montes 16, Allah Byrd 16; CTC - Anderson 37, Tompkins 17, Sumauang 15.
Open - Edge Alumni 91, ANB 64. EDGE - Toomer 25, J. Friske 21, OJ Dybdahl 15; ANB - Tickett 22, Morgan 18, Green 14.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
