Juneau’s Crimson Bears fall to Anchorage’s Golden Bears in state den
- Klas Stolpe
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Juneau-Douglas opens 4A Alaska championships with 53-34 loss to Bartlett
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa·at Kalé Crimson Bears did all they could to make it through their opening game at the March Madness Alaska 4A State Basketball Championships on Wednesday night inside Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center, but the Bartlett Golden Bears did just enough more to win 53-34.
“I thought we fought,” JDHS coach Tanya Nizich said. “We worked very hard on defense, and I was pleased with rotations and getting deflections.”
Defense on the Golden Bears has been tough for most teams this season and JDHS fell to some of the same obstacles as others before them.
Bartlett hit an early basket by sophomore Harmony Jenkins-Foster and when it was answered by JDHS junior Layla Tokuoka the Golden Bears started a feeding frenzy on wayward balls.
Bartlett would have four steals and a block in then next five JDSH possessions and Golden Bears sophomore Kennedi Gaines caused three of them and scored six points and then buried a three point shot to close out the quarter with Bartlett up 13-7.
JDHS’s first-quarter points came from Tokuoka, sophomore Sadie Lockhart and senior Cambry Lockhart.
JDHS responded to the more physical style of play in the tournament by opening the second quarter on a 5-2 run on a basket by sophomore Athena Warr and Tokuoka to pull to 17-14. Bartlett responded to that with a 9-2 run of their own from Gaines, sophomore Valezia Diaz and freshman Farrah Gamechuk to lead 26-14 at the half.
“For the most part I am happy with the way we rebounded tonight,” coach Nizich said. “We did not give up. Offensively we struggled putting the ball in, but we had good looks and opportunities.”
JDHS made another strong attack to start the second half. Senior Gwen Nizich hit from the arc, Warr added a free throw and Tokuoka scored on a fast break to pull to 26-20 with 5:40 left in the stanza.
Bartlett would close the third quarter on an 8-3 run that was hindered by JDHS’ Tokuoka hitting the three points from the arc to help the Crimson Bears stay in the hunt 36-23.
Bartlett would outscore JDHS 17-11 in the fourth quarter. Crimson Bears baskets came from Nizich past the arc, S. Lockhart on a short shot, Warr with two free throws and a basket and a final drive and score by Nizich.
“Most importantly I am proud of this team,” Nizich said. “We have each others back and we work hard for one another, no one gives up, and that right there is the very best team you could have.”
Tokuoka led JDHS with 12 points and was selected the Player of the Game. Nizich added eight points, Warr seven, S. Lockhart four and C. Lockhart three. The Crimson Bears hit four three-point shots, eight two-point field goals and 6-8 from the free throw line. JDHS will play in a consolation semifinal at 12:30 p.m. Friday against #3 seed Wasilla, an upset loser to #6 Service, to stay alive in the tournament.
Gaines led Bartlett with 22 points, Gamechuk added 11, Jenkins-Foster eight, sophomore Kaylee Lealaisalanoa six, Diaz and sophomore Nahliah Houston and freshman Victoria Tulimasealii two each. The Golden Bears hit five three-point shots, 15 closer in and 8-12 at the line. Bartlett faces Service, in a semifinal at 4:45 p.m. Friday.
In the other semifinal #1 Mountain City Christian Academy, a 79-42 winner over #8 North Pole, faces #4 Colony, a 59-47 winner over #5 West Anchorage, at 3:15 p.m. Friday. North Pole and West Anchorage play in a 12:30 p.m. Friday consolation bracket semifinal.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
