Region V championships come to Juneau beginning Wednesday
- Klas Stolpe
- 3 minutes ago
- 12 min read
See the best of 2A/3A/4A basketball, cheer, dance, pep bands and student sections during tournaments that continue through Saturday
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
There may be closed shops in town this week with notes in the window saying “Gone to the game!”
Or people calling in sick or hiring someone to walk the dog for the rest of the week as the Region V 2A/3A/4A Alaska Airlines Tournament of high school basketball championships, cheer and dance adjudications, and pep band vava-voom — all with a mix of student section enthusiasm — begin Wednesday inside the George Houston Gymnasium.
The Region V tournament is one of the most anticipated, talked about and remembered gatherings in the state.
“Thinking back on my senior year when we hosted the Region V tournament, I remember the excitement building up to the tournament and the atmosphere during the games,” said JDHS coach Robert Casperson, a 1996 JDHS graduate. “It was great to see all my friends from around Southeast, too. I also remember how proud I was to win a championship in front of my mom, my friends and classmates and our home crowd.”
While the 2A portion of the tournament starts Wednesday, JDHS will not play until Thursday in the first game of their 4A three-game series against Ketchikan. As will 3A Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe in their best-of-three-game series.
“I believe the region tourney serves as the season’s final exam,” said Ketchikan boys coach Eric Stockhausen. “Are you playing your best basketball of the season? Regardless of the final outcome, can you look in the mirror and know you have done the best you can? If so, then the season was successful. It serves as a chance to earn more basketball, which is huge if you love it. Southeast is a phenomenal show and it is so awesome to see a lot of friends and watch some great basketball with cheer, dance, band and pep clubs.”
Nothing brings out the cheer, dance and pep bands more than JDHS against Kayhi.
“As a player I remember how loud it was in the gym, with standing room only and how intense Region V is,” said JDHS girls coach Tanya Nizich, Crimson Bears class of 2000. “If you’ve never been to one before, you need to. As a player, the emotions and stakes are so high, thinking that if I haven’t already now is the time to play the best basketball of my life.”
The three-game series setting is a result of school sizes changing.
There was a time when it was all-for-one and single-elimination state hopes dashed by a small eighth-seed school knocking off a larger town with more gym space.
“I remember it was a huge event for the whole community,” said Petersburg coach Rick Brock, a 1982 Wrangell High School graduate. “Always felt like a David versus Goliath scenario, since we were all in one tournament, big and small schools. It was just the boys teams then also, so lots of focus on that week. Loved the excitement and opportunity to try and win a championship. I watched the ’75 team when I was younger so grew up dreaming that we could be like them.”
Between those two times was the crossover championship. It was kind of an homage to the all-school size tournament. It let David beat Goliath again.
“What I remember most is the environment,” said Wrangell boys coach Cody Angerman. “It was always a goal to win first and have the opportunity to play in the 3A/4A crossover game. I graduated in 2000 and we played JDHS that year in the crossover game. The year prior we played JDHS and against Carlos Boozer (1999). That was obviously a big deal because he was a big deal. The Region V tourney has always been a major event and seems like the biggest event in the state...I don’t think there’s a whole lot different coaching it other than the classifications for the schools is a little different. It’s such an exciting event, which you know you’re going to see some quality games. I think coaching it you get to see a different side of how the event functions, but the camaraderie and competition feels very similar.”
Current Petersburg girls coach Mat Pawuk, Vikings class of 1995, said, “For me, I remember being amazed at the size of the event every year. It was very apparent just how important basketball is to Southeast Alaska and getting to be a part of that tradition for four years as a player is something I'll never forget. Every year it seems like there is a game or two that stands out, and I remember my sophomore year our game against Metlakatla was one of those games. We went into overtime but ultimately lost the game, but I still talk about that game with my former teammates and even the guys from Metlakatla that I played against in that game when we travel to their community. Being on the coaching side of things now, it's really fun to see this event through that perspective and do what I can to make it a core memory for my players. I hope I get to come to many, many more.”
Metlakatla. One of the foundations of Southeast basketball. Sitting at the table made from sacred hardwood. Over one shoulder are the Kings, over the other the Kings-slayer Craig.
Metlakatla boys coach T.J. Scott played high school basketball in Washington state. He started coaching the Chiefs in 2012.
“I can remember my first year just how different it was than our regional tournaments in Washington,” Scott said. “In Washington each team showed up and played their game, maybe watched one more, then went home. Then we would come back the next day and play again. Up here it is a full day of basketball. The kids all know each other, and there is intense rivalries, but after the games they are friends. Fans show up to support every community. It is impossible to find parking, and just as hard to find a place for all of your kids to sit and watch together. Just a great tournament, with so many moving parts, and yet somehow each host community makes it look seamless.”
Giant slayers exist. The crossover game came along in 1984, and dethroned 4A talent in the semi-old crossover games. Craig (2003 boys over JDHS), Metlakatla (2004 boys over KTN), Petersburg went into the giants' den four times in a row, and left with the goods once (2008 boys over JDHS), Haines almost did, losing by nine in 1995 and by four in 1996 to JDHS, and in ’90 and 2010. Mt. Edgecumbe has tasted success there (2011 boys over JDHS, 2018 boys over JDHS).
“Best time of the year,” said former Mt. Edgecumbe boys coach Archie Young. He coached the Braves from 1999-2024. “Now it’s time to put up or shut up. Everything that happened throughout the season is over. Every team is 0-0 and if you want to keep playing you have to win. Loved the pressure of this time of year.”
It was his Braves that followed the Craig crossover win in ’03, and Metlakatla’s crossover win in ’04, with a missed shot at the repeat in ’05.
As a four-year starter for Wrangell (Wolves class of ’91), he led the Wolves to the crossover game twice, falling as a sophomore to Kayhi and as a senior to JDHS.
Young remembers, “Just another chance to go play and try to beat people. We always believed we were good enough to win if we played well. But mostly just wanting to go out and beat everybody.”
“My biggest memory is the atmosphere,” said Petersburg assistant coach Dino Brock, a 1983 Wrangell graduate. He also coached the PHS girls for years and along with brother Rick are Young’s cousins. “Every game had the pep clubs, cheer leaders, pep bands and fans cheering and yelling. Made every game seem more intense.”
The crossover game ended with COVID and a season stopped. But basketball continued and slowly returned. Old memories still remain.
“Playing in the region tournament is still one of my favorite high school memories,” Wrangell girls coach Christy Good, Wolves class of 1986, said. “There’s just something different about that atmosphere — the mass pep bands, the cheer and dance teams, the season practices leading up to it, the way the community followed along and showed up to support. I remember how intense every possession felt and how much pride we had representing Wrangell. It wasn’t just about basketball; it was about playing for your teammates, your school and your town. The region tournament really taught me about composure, preparation, and what it means to compete for something bigger than yourself. Those experiences definitely shaped the way I approach coaching now.”
The bottom line — after shots are made, whistles blown and opponents vanquished — are the impacts of competition, sportsmanship and friendships.
“I enjoyed the excitement of us all being in the same place to compete,” said Craig girls coach Vanessa James, a 2004 Craig graduate. “Some of my lifelong friends are the people I met playing basketball and competing against throughout high school. I enjoyed being with my teammates and making memories with them along the way. Regionals always brought a sense of excitement for everyone involved.”
Haines girls coach Abby Funk, Glacier Bears class of 2011 (then Abby Jones) said, “Firstly, I remember the ferry rides to regionals, being from Haines, especially when it was in Ketchikan all the teams getting on along the way and filling up the boat. The ferry would open up every place they could for teams to sleep. When it was in Juneau, having a big hometown crowd. I remember the big games when the gym was filled with all the teams having to choose who to cheer for, having both pep bands playing together and both teams' cheerleaders putting on their best performances; it was just a really fun competitive atmosphere. We used to be housed out with the players of the other teams when we would play away games so we had some great connections and it was fun to get all together during regionals. Unfortunately, regionals also had a lot of heartbreak as throughout high school Haines girls always had a good team with great chance of winning, but consistently fell short when it mattered. Overall, Alaska, and especially, Southeast Region V is a unique place; more than I fully realized or appreciated until I went down south, played in college, and talked with other athletes. There's not another state in the country that does sports quite like Alaska.”
Sitka activities director Rich Krupa was head coach from 1998-2013 and became assistant coach when freshman daughter Zosha joined the team as a freshman in 2014 and became Sitka AD in 2018.
“It was great,” he said. “As a head coach it was one thing, but as an assistant I was just sitting there and it was awesome just watching her and her teammates compete. Coaching in the region tournament was phenomenal. A lot of fun, great energy, seeing everybody get together…Regions is always fun seeing all your friends. Seeing all the teams you used to house. Great memories and atmosphere. Juneau’s gym being packed, sitting side to side.. Ketchikan’s gym is beautiful and Mt. Edgecumbe’s whole facility completely full. As a coach it was awesome. I didn’t realize how awesome until we (Sitka/Mt. Edgecumbe) were in the Eastern Conference up in Redington. We really missed the Southeast tournament. Just being there, being involved, the bands, the cheerleaders, the dance team, all the great basketball you get to watch. We are tickled to be back in the SEC again. I think every kid should be a part of regions once in a lifetime.”
Krupa has also been an official since 2014 and will be a region referee this year, his third appearance in the venue.
“We are just out there to make the game possible for the kids,” he said. “That is what matters. Hopefully the kids are giving their best and the coaches aren’t as hard on us.”
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
2025-26 Region V 2A/3A/4A Alaska Airlines Tournament schedule and Southeast standings:
Wednesday
Thursday
9 a.m. GM5 - 2A Girls #1 Metlakatla vs. winner GM1
10:30 a.m. GM6 - Boys #1 Petersburg vs. winner GM2
Noon GM7 - 2A Girls loser GM1 vs loser GM3
1:30 p.m. GM8 - 2A Boys loser GM2 vs loser GM 4
3 p.m. GM9 - 4A Girls Ketchikan vs. Juneau-Douglas (1st game, best of 3)
4:30 p.m. GM10 - 4A Boys Ketchikan vs. Juneau-Douglas (1st game, best of 3)
6 p.m. GM11 - 3A Girls Sitka vs. Mt. Edgecumbe (1st game, best of 3)
7:30 p.m. GM12 - 3A Boys Sitka vs. Mt. Edgecumbe (1st game, best of 3)
Friday
9 a.m. GM13 - 2A Girls loser GM5 vs. winner GM7
10:30 a.m. GM14 - 2A Boys loser GM6 vs. winner GM8
Noon GM15 - 3A Girls Sitka vs. Mt. Edgecumbe (2nd game, best of 3)
1:30 p.m. GM16 - Boys Sitka vs. Mt. Edgecumbe (2nd game, best of 3)
3 p.m. GM17 - 2A Girls winner GM5 vs. winner GM3 Championship (1st berth to state)
4:30 p.m. GM18 - 2A Boys winner GM6 vs. winner GM4 Championship (1st berth to state)
6 p.m. GM19 - Ketchikan vs. Juneau-Douglas (2nd game, best of 3)
7:30 p.m. GM20 - Ketchikan vs. Juneau-Douglas (2nd game, best of 3)
Saturday
11 a.m. Dance Adjudications
1 p.m. GM21 - 2A Girls loser GM17 vs. winner GM21 (2nd berth to state)
2:30 p.m. GM22 Boys loser GM18 vs. winner GM 14 (2nd berth to state)
4 p.m. GM23 - 3A Girls If Necessary Game
5:30 p.m. GM24 - 3A Boys If Necessary Game
7 p.m. GM25 - 4A Girls If Necessary Game
8:30 p.m. GM26 - 4A Boys If Necessary Game
4A Southeast Conference Results
Boys
Juneau-Douglas (13-9 Overall, 4-0 SEC), Ketchikan (6-18 OA, 0-4 SEC)
JDHS 56, at KTN 45
JDHS 53, at KTN 48
at JDHS 53, KTN 41
at JDHS 76, KTN 52
Girls
Juneau-Douglas (14-6 OA, 3-1 SEC), Ketchikan (8-16 OA, 1-3 SEC)
at KTN 48, JDHS 37
JDHS 51, at KTN 41
at JDHS 55, KTN 43
at JDHS 49, KTN 43
3A Southeast Results
Boys
Mt. Edgecumbe 58, Sitka 53
Mt. Edgecumbe 42, Sitka 32
Mt. Edgecumbe 68, Sitka 59
Girls
Mt. Edgecumbe 57, Sitka 49
Mt. Edgecumbe 62, Sitka 33
Mt. Edgecumbe 59, Sitka 50
2A Southeast Standings
(From MaxPreps)
Boys Overall SE
Petersburg 14-4 14-2
Haines 13-5 11-5
Metlakatla 13-8 10-6
Wrangell 5-14 4-12
Craig 1-20 1-15
Girls
Metlakatla 17-4 14-2
Craig 20-4 13-3
Wrangell 8-10 8-8
Petersburg 5-11 5-11
Haines 0-16 0-16
2A Conference results
2A Boys
Dec. 19-20
Petersburg 63, at Craig 22
Petersburg 58, at Craig 28
at Metlakatla def. Wrangell, by forfeit
at Metlakatla def. Wrangell, by forfeit
Jan. 3-4
Petersburg 44, at Metlakatla 26
Petersburg 58, at Metlakalta 50
Jan. 7-8
at Metlakatla 61, Craig 33
at Metlakatla 64, Craig 47
Jan. 9-10
Haines 59, at Wrangell 28
Haines 49, at Wrangell 28
Jan. 16-17
Petersburg 51, at Wrangell 25
Petersburg 65, at Wrangell 36
at Haines 57, Metlakatla 48
at Haines 50, Metlakatla 41
Jan. 23-24
at Petersburg 58, Craig 25
at Petersburg 56, Craig 27
at Metlakatla 60, Wrangell 29
at Metlakatla 57, Wrangell 35
Jan. 26-27
Haines 65, at Craig 38
Haines 57, at Craig 21
Jan. 29-30
at Petersburg 57, Haines 38
at Petersburg 59, Haines 46
Wrangell 56, at Craig 47
Wrangell 70, at Craig 37
Feb. 6-7
at Haines 55, Wrangell 36
at Haines 72, Wrangell 36
Metlakatla 56, at Craig 47
at Craig 42, Metlakatla 35
Feb. 12-14
Metlakatla 40, at Petersburg 39, OT
at Petersburg 47, Metlakatla 31
at Haines 78, Craig 24
at Haines 76, Craig 29
Feb. 20-21
at Haines 49, Petersburg 41
Petersburg 52, at Haines 51
at Wrangell 67, Craig 40
at Wrangell 76, Craig 36
Feb. 26-28
at Petersburg 53, Wrangell 20
at Petersburg 50, Wrangell 31
at Metlakatla 52, Haines 46
at Metlakatla 50, Haines 42
2A Girls
Dec. 19-20
at Metlakatla def. Wrangell, by forfeit
at Metlakatla def. Wrangell, by forfeit
Jan. 3-4
at Metlakatla 55, Petersburg 28
at Metlakatla 59, Petersburg 23
Jan. 7-8
at Metlakatla 42, Craig 34
at Metlakatla 53, Craig 50
Jan. 9-10
at Wrangell 42, Haines 16
at Wrangell 50, Haines 13
Jan. 16-17
Metlakatla 55, at Haines 9
Metlakatla 60, at Haines 9
at Wrangell 42, Petersburg 28
at Wrangell 53, Petersburg 40
Jan. 23-24
at Metlakatla 55, Wrangell 25
at Metlakatla 50, Wrangell 32
at Craig 45, Petersburg 20
at Craig 39, Petersburg 23
Jan. 26-27
at Craig 68, Haines 13
at Craig 72, Haines 8
Jan. 29-30
Craig 45, at Wrangell 28
Craig 50, at Wrangell 42
at Petersburg 44, Haines 12
at Petersburg 38, Haines 3
Jan. 31-Feb. 1
at Petersburg 43, Craig 40
Craig 34, at Petersburg 15
Feb. 6-7
at Craig 41, Metlakatla 28
at Craig 40, Metlakatla 32
Wrangell 48, at Haines 19
Wrangell 60, at Haines 19
Feb. 13-14
Metlakatla 35, at Petersburg 33
Metlakatla 35, at Petersburg 26
Craig 61, at Haines 18
Craig 59, at Haines 15
Feb. 20-21
Petersburg 39, at Haines 9
Petersburg 38, at Haines 14
Feb. 26-28
at Metlakatla 64, Haines 21
at Metlakatla 60, Haines 19
at Craig 49, Wrangell 32
at Craig 47, Wrangell 33
Wrangell 44, at Petersburg 31
Wrangell 39, at Petersburg 31
