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Friday January 17, 2014
The Falcons gave up two quarters of 26 points, the first and the third, and both resulted in momentum for the Malemutes.
“You can’t give up that many points in one quarter, let alone two,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “Most teams score that in a game and we gave them 52 in two quarters.”
The game began with a cold shooting JDHS squad.
Three early Crimson Bears misses led to four Malemutes fast-break points in the first minute of play.
Lathrop opened with a man-to-man full court defense and forced a five-man substitution by JDHS, who trailed 10-0 at the five-minute mark.
Kaleb Tompkins stemmed the scoring drought with a triple to break the ice for Juneau and would add another in the stanza to keep the Crimson Bears close at 26-15.
Lathrop buried a triple to open a 29-15 advantage starting the second quarter and JDHS went to a physical game inside.
Nathan Klein completed a three-point play to bring the Crimson Bears within eight, 35-27, with less than three minutes remaining in the first half.
Bruce Jones followed with his third block of the game and a trapping two-three zone seemed to briefly stifle the Malemutes.
“We were switching in and out of different defenses,” Casperson said. “I am really proud with how our guys kept competing and working their way back into the game. We were pressuring and running different substitutions in and out of the line up.”
A steal and a score by Tompkins cut the lead to 35-33 with under a minute left and Adam Empson tied the score. Lathrop would hit a tip in at the buzzer to lead 37-35 at the break.
The Crimson Bears were flat in the third, scoring just 10 points and committing that many turnovers while the Malemutes put up another 26-point stanza.
Lathrop had three starters with three fouls in the first half but the JDHS offense couldn’t draw them into trouble in the second half.
“If the game were just the second and fourth quarters we would be fine,” Casperson said. “We moved the ball really well tonight. We made an effort to get back into the contest.”
Lathrop led 63-45 starting the final stanza and the Crimson Bears closed to within eight early in the fourth but expended too much energy to keep the comeback in sight.
Klein had his best game of the season for JDHS, scoring 13 points, getting eight rebounds and “getting after the Lathrop big men” according to Casperson.
Tompkins added 10 points, Bruce Jones nine, Adam Empson eight, Gunnar Schultz seven, Rahul Chhabria six, Kevin Guimmayen four, Dartanan Hodge-Campos three and Stewart Conn one.
JDHS hit 12-21 at the charity stripe; Lathrop went 13-21.
The Malemutes’ Jennis tallied 17 points, Berner 16, Ford 14, Jordan five, White four, Meadows and Cannon two each and Maiden one.
The Crimson Bears play Monroe today (4:30 p.m.) and Kodiak on Saturday (4:30 p.m.).
“We are up here for opportunities and experience,” Casperson said. “And these three games will do that.”
Crimson Bears boys fall 75-62 to Malemutes - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School boy’s basketball team lost to Lathrop 75-61 in their opening game at the Joe T Classic in Fairbanks on Thursday.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Juneau-Douglas High School senior Adam Empson did one of the crazy street ball moves against West Valley on Wednesday night in Fairbanks, throwing the inbounds pass off the back of a defender, stepping in to receive the carom, and laying it up for the basket to win the game in overtime.
“Just like I drew it up,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson joked. “It was a great heads up play by Adam. We were looking to screen the screener and he just made a great read.”
The Wolfpack started the game with a technical for not having their roster in to the scorer’s table and JDHS senior Gunnar Schultz made one-of-two from the charity stripe for the lead with no time off the clock.
The Crimson Bears led 15-11 after one quarter as Schultz, Bruce Jones, Kaleb Tompkins, Adam Empson, Stewart Conn and Nathan Klein all found the basket for a balanced attack.
JDHS led 35-29 at the half as senior Kevin Guimmayen found the deep triple twice and Jones battled inside for eight more points.
West Valley went deep in the third quarter, burying five 3-pointers and outscoring JDHS 28-18. Wolfpack sophomore Daniel Hornbuckle three of the deep shots and hit seven total as he led with a game-high 35 points.
Hornbuckle would connect for 14 points in the fourth quarter while the Crimson Bears Empson and Jones tallied nine and seven points respectively.
West Valley missed an inside shot and a put back in the final seconds and JDHS ran the court for a final shot that missed.
Empson and Jones carried the overtime with four points apiece and the Crimson Bears defense stifled Hornbuckle to claim the 83-82 win.
“That is our pace to be up in the eighties,” Casperson said. “We want to attack and score. We are running guys in and out, everybody is playing and they are having fun.”
Jones led the Crimson Bears with 21, Empson and Schultz had 18 each, Guimmayen 11, Rahul Chhabria five, Klein three, Thibodeau, Conn and Tompkins two each and Dartanan Hodge-Campos one.
Charles Sudduth added 17 points for the Wolfpack, Sean Kinsey seven, Travon Brackett six, Jordan Rodenberger five, Daniel Remington, Titus Milk, and Tahj Washington four each.
JDHS boys top West Valley 83-82 in O.T. - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
And One!
Sunday January 05, 2014
“The game was pretty sloppy up until the fourth quarter,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “Their pressure got us out of sync and we had a lot of turnovers.”
The Crimson Bears (5-3) led 19-17 after one quarter and 29-25 at the half, scoring the last six points before the break. The outside shooting of Kevin Guimmayen, who tallied three triples in the game, was key for JDHS.
JDHS had nine turnovers in the third quarter, giving Ketchikan a chance to take the lead 39-36 with the final eight minutes to play.
“They came out with a fire we couldn’t match in the fourth quarter,” Casperson said. “They took it to us. They took us into trapping areas and executed their defense quite well.”
The Kings’ Mo Bullock scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the final stanza, and all of Kayhi’s points in a 13-5 run that turned the game around.
“This is a really tough place to play,” Casperson said. “Being able to split down here is a good start for us with this group.”
In Friday’s game JDHS sophomore Kaleb Tompkins hit two free throws with 9 seconds remaining to hold off the Kings 55-52 in the Southeast Conference opener for both clubs. The Kings’ Alex Pihl missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
JDHS will have the weekend off before heading on the road to West Valley on Jan. 15 and to the Lathrop tournament Jan. 16-18.
Crimson Bears boys fall to Kayhi 64-48 - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School boy’s basketball team fell at Ketchikan on Saturday 64-48, after the Kings caught fire and scored 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Tuesday December 31, 2013
Dimond High School junior Muhamad Cole took a rebound pass at half court from teammate Isaiah Pili and dribbled in for a layup with 7.9 seconds remaining as the Lynx defeated the Crimson Bears 54-51 in the boys’ championship game of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic on Monday night.
JDHS junior Adam Empson scored a game-high 17 points.
“He was voted as a captain by his teammates and he is willing to shoulder the role of leadership,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “Adam stepped up and kept us in the game. He asserted himself offensively.”
A turnover by the Crimson Bears resulted in Cole going to the free throw line and hitting one of two shots for the three-point advantage. JDHS did not get another look at the basket.
Empson hit two free throws to tie the score at 51 with 2:24 remaining and Dimond spread the floor.
JDHS junior Bruce Jones blocked a shot with 57.5 seconds remaining and drew an offensive foul on Cole 20 seconds later but the Crimson Bears failed to score and the rebound was tipped out to Cole.
The Crimson Bears had 10 turnovers in the first quarter.
“We are playing a lot of guys and we are pretty young and inexperienced,” Casperson said. “There are going to be some growing pains. We are playing a style that lends itself to having turnovers now and then, that is something I have to accept.”
Dimond shot 9-26 in the first half and had 11 turnovers while JDHS gave up the ball 14 times, hit 9-25 from the field and led at the half 26-25.
JDHS scored the first bucket of the third quarter with two minutes gone as the Dimond press forced four turnovers on the Crimson Bears.
Jones recorded his third block of the game with four minutes remaining in the period and the score tied at 29.
The lead would change five times until the Lynx held a 43-41 advantage with eight minutes to play.
JDHS senior Kevin Guimmayen hit a 3-pointer to give the Crimson Bears the 44-43 advantage at 7:04 of the fourth quarter but Cole hit a free throw to tie the score on Jones’ third foul and Josh Fosse scored to put Dimond up three.
Empson pulled JDHS within a point on a driving bucket and Cole answered for the Lynx from the charity stripe.
Dimond’s Carlos Diaz scored inside to give the Lynx a four-point advantage at 51-47 and Empson rebounded his own miss, tipping the ball to senior Dartanan Hodge-Campos for a bucket. Empson then hit two free throws to tie the score at 51.
Stewart Conn added seven points for the Crimson Bears, Guimmayen and Kale Tompkins six apiece, Bruce Jones four, Gunnar Schultz, Hodge-Campos and Rahul Chhabria three each and Bryce Swofford two.
Cole led the Lynx with 14 points, Fosi added 10, Austin Osborne eight, Zach Deloney seven, Carlos Diaz and Mason Merchant four apiece, Pili three and Rafa Zavala and John Paul Moran two each.
JDHS went 8-18 at the charity stripe; Dimond hit 11-20.
“Dimond started attacking us and we did not respond very well to the pressure,” Casperson said. “We learned that we have to understand how to operate under pressure. It is still early. I am proud of how we work together. They don’t bicker, everyone is playing and they are all buying in to it. The guys were really disappointed and they wanted to win it.”
Lynx bite Crimson Bears 54-51 for Capital City Classic championship - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
JDHS junior Adam Empson scores game-high 17 points in loss
Sunday December 29, 2013
The old adage of going to a fight and a hockey game breaks out was changed to a bruising mixed metaphor of basketball, football and full-speed rugby as the Juneau-Douglas and North Pole boys’ basketball teams committed 31 first-half fouls and 60 for the game in a 79-51 Crimson Bears win over the Patriots in the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic on Saturday night.
“I knew it was going to be a physical game, and it certainly was,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “I know we got a lot of free throws and I know they shot plenty of them, too.”
North Pole picked up three fouls in the first minute of action and both teams had one turnover with no points.
With 5:27 remaining in the first quarter, the Patriots had their seventh foul and led 6-4.
JDHS sophomore Kaleb Tompkins dribbled the length of the floor to tie the score and freshman Stewart Conn gave the Crimson Bears the lead on a jumper seconds later.
The 20th foul of the game came with just under a minute remaining in the first period and senior Adam Empson hit one of two free throws and Tompkins another basket to take a 19-15 lead into the second quarter.
The sixth foul of the second quarter came with just over four minutes remaining and North Pole senior Khalil Steward used the whistle to tie the score at 26 and then take a one-point advantage. Steward then hit a basket and was fouled to put the Patriots up 30-26. The 11th foul of the period came with one minute remaining and Empson canned both the front and back of the one-and-one to close within six, 36-30. After a Patriots’ turnover, Empson netted a jump shot to close within four at the half.
JDHS committed two fouls in the first 20 seconds of the third period and another just 30 seconds later, but North Pole had three turnovers and couldn’t capitalize.
Empson scored and was fouled to tie the game at 36 and then give the Crimson Bears the one-point advantage.
“The team helped me keep my composure,” Empson said. “My team pumped me up, the crowd, everyone… I was just thinking make it, just make it. Both teams were focusing on competing.”
Empson would score 17 of his game-high 29 points in the quarter and push the Crimson Bears to a 55-40 advantage with the final eight minutes remaining.
North Pole used the 14th foul of the second half to score a free-throw but JDHS used the 15th to do the same and the back-and-forth continued with the Crimson Bears having the better corner and taking a 66-46 lead with Bryce Swofford making both ends of the 20th whistle.
The Crimson Bears scored the last four points of the game as Rahul Chhabria hit the front and back of the 29th whistle and Manase Maake scored inside.
“There were a lot of fouls,” Casperson said. “You can’t fault the officials. Kids were playing hard and everybody was making plays on the ball. It was just a very physical game.”
Kevin Guimmayen added nine points for the Crimson Bears, Tompkins, Chhabria and Conn six, Bruce Jones five, and Maake, Gunnar Schultz and Swofford four each, Dorian Isaak three, Jacob Thibodeau two and Nathan Klein one.
The Patriots’ Lance Wright and Steward had 12 points apiece, Garrett Sommer 11, Jordan Schuster six, Deandre Campbell five, Jordan Copeland four, and Simi Skipps one.
JDHS went 27-42 at the charity stripe; North Pole hit 17-30.
Sunday action features shooting contests (free throw, three-point, dunk) beginning at 1 p.m. and game play resumes on Monday with Cordova against North Pole at 3 p.m. and JDHS playing Dimond at 7 p.m.
DIMOND 57, CORDOVA 31
In other Saturday boy’s action on Saturday the Dimond Lynx defeated the Cordova Wolverines 57-31 behind 15 points from Muhamad Cole and eight triples from beyond the arch.
Dimond led 19-11 starting the second quarter and held the Wolverines to just four points to take a 37-15 halftime advantage.
The Lynx led 43-24 starting the final quarter.
Zach Deloney added eight points for Dimond, Mason Merchant seven, Josh Fosi and Isaiah Pili five apiece, Carlos Diaz, Austin Osborne and Ryan Faulao four each, Rafa Zavala three, and John Paul Moran two.
Eli Beedle led Cordova with 11 points, Andrew Muma added nine, Spenser Plant five, Austin Brandt three, and Billy Perry, Cooper Jewell, and Chatham Warga one each.
The Lynx hit 10-16 at the line; the Wolverines went 6-12.
Crimson Bears out-box Patriots 79-51 in Capital City Classic - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Teams total 31 first-half fouls, 29 more after the break
Saturday December 28, 2013
The Juneau-Douglas High School boy’s basketball team pressed their way to a 65-41 win over the Cordova Wolverines in late Friday action at the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic.
Cordova, whose plane landed in Juneau shortly before the schedule tipoff, registered six turnovers against the Crimson Bears pressure in the first quarter alone and 17 for the game.
JDHS broke open a 5-4 lead with a 16-2 run that ended the period with the Crimson Bears up 21-6. Two quick fouls on Cordova big man Eli Beedle put the all-star center on the bench for the remainder of the first half.
JDHS increased their lead to 36-12 at the half and 10 different Crimson Bears found the scorebook.
JDHS senior Adam Empson hit six points and Stewart Conn and Dorian Isaak sank back-to-back threes to power the Crimson Bears to a 54-29 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Empson led the Crimson Bears with 13 points, Isaak added eight, Kevin Guimmayen and Rahul Chhabria seven apiece, Bruce Jones six, Kaleb Tompkins and Stewart Conn five apiece, Gunnar Schultz, Bryce Swofford and Nathan Klein four each, and Dar Hodge-Campos two.
Beedle led the Wolverines with 15 points, all in the second half; Billy Perry added 10, Jerome Ridao five, Cooper Jewell four, Austin Brandt and Andrew Muma three apiece and Spenser Plant one.
JDHS went 7-9 at the charity stripe and committed 20 fouls; Cordova hit 9-22 at the line and totaled 12 fouls.
DIMOND 59, NORTH POLE 40
The Dimond High School Lynx opened a 17-3 first quarter advantage over the North Pole Patriots and were never seriously threatened as they secured a 59-40 win in the opening boys’ game of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau.
The Lynx hit three from beyond the arch in the opening stanza (seven for the game) to draw the defense out and fed junior Carlos Diaz inside for four points.
Lynx senior Zach Deloney scored 10 of his game-high 26 points in the second period and junior Isaiah Pili hit a triple at the buzzer for a 34-14 halftime advantage.
The Patriots made a run in the third quarter, scoring 14 points behind sophomore Ryan DeLaurie and junior Jordan Schuster to pull within 42-28 starting the final period.
Dimond scored their third 17-point quarter total of the game in the final period behind nine points from Deloney to coast to the win as Dimond’s Pili and classmate Muhamad Cole controlled the backcourt under the pressing Patriot defense from junior DeAundre Campbell, seniors Khalil Steward, Jordan Copeland and sophomore Garrett Sommer.
Diaz added eight points for the Lynx, Pili and Cole seven apiece, Josh Fosi five and Mason Merchant, John Paul Moran and Austin Osborne two each.
DeLaurie came off the bench to lead the Patriots with 13 points, Schuster and Steward added eight apiece, Sommer six, Campbell three and Simi Skipps two.
Dimond hit 10-18 at the charity stripe; North Pole went 9-21.
Capital City Classic Day 1 Results - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
JDHS 65, CORDOVA 41
Sunday December 22, 2013
The Crimson Bears had beaten Southeast 3A power Mt. Edgecumbe 56-50 on Friday.
On Saturday senior Gunnar Schultz hit nine of his game-high 23 points in the first period to keep the Crimson Bears within six points at 20-14 starting the second stanza.
“The way we are playing provides opportunities for guys to get open looks,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “(Schultz) was ready to knock them down and took advantage of the shots.”
Six different Crimson Bears found the basket in the second quarter as JDHS used an 18-11 period to take a 32-31 lead at the break.
Junior Adam Empson scored eight of his 14 points in the third quarter to help push the Crimson Bears up by nine starting the final period.
The Crimson Bears pressed the majority of the game and junior Bruce Jones had two blocks in the final quarter.
“Bruce is working hard at being a defensive presence,” Casperson said. “He is covering up any mistakes our guards make.”
Freshman Bryce Swofford added six points for JDHS, senior Dartanan Hodge-Campos, Jones and sophomore Kaleb Tompkins added five points apiece, freshman Stewart Conn added four, senior Kevin Guimmayen had three, senior Rahul Chhabria and junior Jacob Thibodeau contributed two each.
Trevor Shirnberg led Kenai with 20 points, Josh Jackman 19, Austin McKee 10, Tanner Wortham four, Keith Ivy and Kyle Foree three, Guillermo Seppulveda two and Vlad Glushkov one.
JDHS hit 12-19 at the line, Kenai went 11-18.
“We are going to try and push the pace,” Casperson said. “Defensively we are learning and getting better. The three teams we played here each approached our pressure three different ways, so it gave us a great opportunity to figure out how to react and respond. Considering the youth and inexperience of this group, I am pleased at how they stepped up. We will probably have a different leading scorer each night. We have no selfishness going on.”
Crimson Bears boys top Kardinals - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team closed out the Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off Tournament at Soldotna High School with their second win, topping Kenai 69-62 on Saturday.
Saturday December 21, 2013
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team showed what a rested Crimson Bears team can do with a 56-50 win over Southeast 3A power Mt. Edgecumbe on Friday at the Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off Tournament at Soldotna High School.
"They are a very good team," Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. "They would not go away."
Freshman Stuart Conn hit a three-pointer to give the Crimson Bears an 11-10 lead in the first quarter and a steal added two more as Juneau took a 15-10 advantage.
Juneau upped the offensive pressure to take a 33-22 lead into the break. The Crimson Bears maintained a 10-point advantage for over six minutes in the stanza.
Junior Bruce Jones picked up his third foul minutes after play resumed in the second half with the Crimson Bears up 38-29, but stayed in the game to frustrate the Braves and keep a 47-38 advantage into the final eight minutes.
The Crimson Bears spread the floor down the stretch.
JDHS held off a late rally by the Braves and advance to play Kenai in the fifth-place game on Saturday.
Casperson credited Freshman Bryce Swofford for drawing four offensive fouls on Mt. Edgecumbe.
Senior Rahul Chhabria led the Crimson Bears with 12 points and junior Adam Empson added nine. Senior Kevin Guimmayen and juniors Gunnar Schultz and Bruce Jones scored seven apiece, senior Dar Hodge Campos five, sophomore Kaleb Tompkins four, Conn three and Swofford two.
Mt. Edgecumbe got 18 points from Sky Shipton, 11 from Jalone Pepper, Donald Edenshaw scored five, Paul Kewan and Corby Kasagalie five apiece, and Jarred Olin-Duncan four.
"Guys are making the most of their opportunities when they get on the floor," Casperson said. "We have some work a head of us and the kids are excited."
JDHS had lost to Soldotna 72-60 on Thursday while Ketchikan topped Kenai 59-26 and Bethel won over Mt. Edgecumbe 54-46.
Crimson Bears rebound with win at Soldotna tourney - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Juneau holds off familiar foe Mt. Edgecumbe 56-50.
Friday December 20, 2013
The Stars were the only area squad to pick up a first-round win. Ketchikan defeated Kenai 59-26 and Colony defeated Nikiski 72-45, with Damien Fulp leading Colony with 23 points and Seth Carstens pouring in 27 for the Bulldogs. In other action, Bethel topped Mt. Edgecumbe 54-46.
Juneau had a long day of travel to get to the night game on time, and there were times during the day where there were questions if the Crimson Bears would make it for the 8:45 p.m. tip. When Juneau got there, Soldotna was able to take control of the game in the first quarter. The Stars stretched out the lead in the third quarter before Juneau mounted a late comeback in the fourth quarter.
Daniel McElroy paced the Stars with 16 points, while Austin Kruse had 12 points and Nathan Spence had 11 points.
In the semifinals of the tournament today, Ketchikan and Colony play at 6:30 p.m., and SoHi and Bethel play at 8:15 p.m.
In the fifth-place bracket, Kenai and Nikiski play at 5:15 p.m., while Mt. Edgecumbe and Juneau play at 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, the title game is at 4:15 p.m., the third-place game is at 2:30 p.m., the fifth-place game is at 12:45 p.m. and the seventh-place game is at 11 a.m.
Crimson Bears boys fall to Soldotna 72-60: Pennisula Clarion
The Soldotna boys basketball team defeated Juneau-Douglas 72-60 in the first round of the Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off Tournament on Thursday at Soldotna High School.
Thursday December 19, 2013
That is a lot of muscle to replace and the Crimson Bears will take some lumps until they take root on the hardwood.
“We have certainly spent some time in the weight room,” Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson said. “But I don’t think we are going to win any games when we step off the bus through intimidation. Our guys have worked at it but we don’t have the overall bulk and size of the last couple years. We are more spry this year.”
Top returners are Adam Empson (6 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds) and Bruce Jones (4 points, 3 rebounds). The duo started the first half of the season and provided potent substitution strength during the second half.
“We are not returning much in the way of stats,” Casperson said. “My challenge to the guys is that there are opportunities to get on the court and play.”
JDHS averaged roughly 50 points per game, while opponents tallied 57. The Crimson Bears lost leads in the fourth quarter of seven losses. The team’s strength will be athleticism and speed. Weaknesses are lack of experience and a traditional center width in the paint.
“Our record does not indicate the number of games we were in last year,” Casperson said. “We were in them, we just didn’t finish. This year’s group is much different. With what they bring in individual abilities we can’t approach the season the same way.”
Also returning are seniors Kevin Guimmayen, Dartanan Hodge-Campos, and juniors Nathan Klein, Manasa Maake, and Gunnar Schultz. Each has the opportunity to vie for a starting position. Klein (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) is a competitive force inside, Guimmayen and Schultz spent offseason hours on their game and Hodge-Campos is a leader with work ethic.
“With guys so similar, this means our depth will be an attribute,” Casperson said.
First time varsity players are senior Rahul Chhabria, juniors Dorian Isaak and Jacob Thibodeau, and sophomores Kaleb Tompkins and Treyson Ramos.
Tompkins will provide a lift off the bench to knock down shots, Ramos is fearless on the court, Thibodeau will play multiple positions and Isaak is athletic with leadership ability. Chhabria drew praise for his off season commitment.
“He would wake up, hit the weights, go to open gym, stay extra for ball handling and really committed for his senior season,” Casperson said. “Just to make the team his final season and possibly contribute is a success.”
Two freshmen will potentially see minutes at the varsity level, Stewart Conn (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) and Bryce Swofford (6-foot-5, 170).
Conn can create opportunities and attack the basket and is not bashful with taking a shot. Swofford is extremely active and competitive and does not back down from physical play.
“We are going to have moments where it will not look pretty this year,” Casperson said. “I think we are also going to provide a lot of excitement too. This group is committed to playing a style of basketball that is new for us.”
That style begins tonight at the Soldotna Stars in a tourney that features Southeast foe Ketchikan. JDHS’ bracket includes Bethel against Mt. Edgecumbe. The other side has Colony against Nikiski and Ketchikan plays Kenai. Colony’s Damien Fulp signed to play with UAA next season.
JDHS also hosts the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic (Dec. 27-30), featuring Dimond, North Pole and Cordova. They also travel to a tourney at Lathrop (Jan. 16-18) to play the Malemutes, Monroe and Kodiak.
Crimson Bears will court inexperience through the season - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Juneau-Douglas graduated a roster of talented athletes who are pursuing college sports; Phillip Fenumiai (football), Aquino Brinson (basketball), Jeffrey Pusich (baseball), Keith Ainsworth (basketball), Jackson Lehnhart (soccer), as well as Ben Williams and Gary Speck.
Thursday November 14, 2013
Whether on dirt courts with shoeless youth or club gyms in nice neighborhoods, basketball purity is found in the joy of innocent play.
“The smile is universal,” Joe Touomou said. “Wherever you go. The funny part is when you go to those poor countries, the kids seem to be even happier over there. Despite all the struggles, you would be surprised how happy they are, every where you go.”
The smiles.
That is the first thing you noticed on the Juneau-Douglas High School basketball court as players, male and female, ran through drills led by Touomou, a Washington, D.C.-based basketball trainer and recruiter, and his assistant, Alexander Ujoh, from Nigeria.
Smiles and sweat.
“Yes, yes,” Touomou shouts. “Now you are a player. Now you are working hard.”
A chance encounter two years ago at L.A. Fitness in Silver Spring, Md., between Touomou and Crimson Bears forward Bruce Jones and his parents, led to the offer to bring the trainer to the JDHS pre-season basketball clinic over the Veterans’ Day weekend. Jones also attended training seasons with Touomou in Maryland.
“I like his body frame and I like his basketball IQ,” Touomou said of Jones. “He needs to put some muscle on his body, but he could play college if he wants to work hard enough.”
Touomou knows about working hard.
Born and raised in Cameroon, he grew up playing soccer.
Returning from boarding school one year he discovered a basketball court had been built across the street from his home.
“All my friends were playing,” Touomou said. “I thought why not try. Things went pretty fast because back then you didn’t have Internet, cell phones or cable TV. We spent a lot of time on the basketball court, and that is how I became a basketball player.”
This was when he encountered his best-remembered smile.
“We had a big game and Cameroon soccer star Roger Miller came to a game. I made a basket and I saw him clapping his hands for me,” he said. “Just to look at him sitting there and encouraging me was big.”
At age 16, playing in the African Championships in Egypt, Touomou was approached by Rob Meurs, a scout for the NBA. Meurs would later start Court Vision, a basketball scouting agency, and was hired by NIKE and Adidas.
The meeting led to Touomou attending Williamsport High School, a preparatory school in North Carolina for one year before college.
Touomou played four years for Georgetown University under legendary coach John Thompson, graduating in 1999 after a senior season as the team’s captain.
His career included a knee injury in 1995 and at 6-foot-2, his career scoring average of 1.9 points per game did not attract much attention from NBA scouts.
In 2000 he suffered a shoulder injury playing professionally for Antibes in France.
With a degree in government studies and international relations, he weighed options to work for the World Bank and World Health Organization.
“I always felt like there was unfinished business,” Touomou said. “I was never able to play basketball at the level I felt like I was able to play.”
Touomou retired from basketball and worked under University of Missouri coach Quin Snyder for two years until taking a job with the Indiana Pacers in 2003 as an international scout. That job ended when new team president Larry Bird brought his own coaching staff in. Touomou also joined many non-profit organizations and sport programs after college to give back.
“My country was a third-world country and I knew there were contributions I could make through sports,” Touomou said. “I just got involved. I wanted to share the knowledge I had accumulated throughout the years.”
His efforts have included the Cameroon Olympic Basketball Program, Adidas Nations, ABasketball (Basketball for Africa), Giants Of Africa, and SEED (Sports for Educational and Economic Development), NBA’s Basketball Without Borders, the Ring True Foundation and his own JT World Training Centers, which provides scouting services to professional teams and training professional players in their offseason and rehabilitation.
He is also an instructor for the State Department program Sports United that brings coaches from other countries to George Mason University for training. Touomou has traveled to over 50 countries through his work. He is a former Cameroon National Team coach and is being considered for a position as the Qatar National Team coach.
“Some areas of Africa, the kids love the game so much,” Touomou said. “In Africa many youths play on dirt courts with no shoes. They sometimes have to cut a bucket and hang it up for a rim, just like when basketball was created.”
The love of the game is spreading in Africa as TV has taken hold and young people relate to basketball players and musicians more now than soccer players. They encounter the same problems as American youth who learn the game.
“A lot of kids, especially the younger ones, it is the details that separates the average from the good,” Touomou said. “Footwork can be a problem but the biggest thing is shooting. Kids have a hard time shooting the ball well. Shooting is all about repetition and most kids don’t practice shooting enough.”
The emphasis in the clinics was on getting open and shooting mechanics. Touomou tells them they can’t shoot the ball if they can’t get open, and they can’t get open if they move like hippos and not cheetahs.
“When I work with kids I like to keep my workouts entertaining,” Touomou said. “I like to see a kid happy when he works out. It helps me get the message across and share the knowledge with him.”
When Touomou’s sessions ended the players caught their collective breaths and grabbed refreshments.
One by one they approached him. Their faces smiling. Their bodies swept up in his huge hugs.
“Thanks for coming,” Treyson Ramos said, embracing the powerfully built former professional player.
“You taught me so much,” Jacob Thibodeau said. “Thank you.”
“Yes, yes, thank you for having me,” Touomou answers. “We will stay in touch.”
Then he points out something individually to each that was intimated in the camp to only them.
Their smiles broaden.
Hoya on the hardwood - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Professional basketball trainer and recruiter shares at basketball clinic.
Sunday November 10, 2013
Alaska High School Basketball Begins December 2nd
Monday June 24, 2013
Juneau-Douglas High School head coach and camp director, Robert Casperson, would like to congratulate the campers on two phenomenal weeks. He was impressed with the excitement, intensity, and improvement in all the players that attended the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp.
Championship Friday and All-Star Saturday created an electric atmosphere. In the College championship the Duke Blue Devils emerged victorious over the Seattle University Red Hawks. In the NBA championship, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Chicago Bulls for the title. Saturday was capped off with all-star games and the presentation of trophies.
The Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp also emphasizes the importance of making healthy life choices. Time was included during the week for special presenters to address multiple topics. Professional basketball player, Talisa Rhea, discussed goal setting with the campers. NCAA Division I football player, Faifo Levale, spoke about the academic requirements necessary to be eligible for college athletics. Jon Malacas of the Johnson Youth Center shared with the campers the realities of making poor choices, including prison food, shackles, and jail cells. Mark Calvert from the AWARE Shelter, Alaska Men Chose Respect, and Coaching Boys into Men presented on positive relationships.
The Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp will proudly return in June of 2014.
College Division Special Awards:
Free Throw Champion: Caitlin Pusich
Best Passer: Erica Hurtte
Best Defense: Bryson Echiverri
Station Master: Kenzie Campbell
Most Hustle: Malia Miller
Most Improved: Joel Sleppy
Best Rebounder: Caitlin Pusich
Most Valuable Player: Josh McAndrews
All-Stars: Erica Hurtte, Caitlin Pusich, Owen Mendoza, Bryson Echiverri, Luke Mallinger, Derek Boord, Josh McAndrews, Kenzie Campbell, Marlis Boord, and Zoey Kriegmont.
NBA Division Special Awards:
Free Throw Champion: Treyson Ramos
Best Passer: Kaleb Tompkins
Best Defense: Treyson Ramos
Station Master: Cristina Arehart
Most Hustle: Justin Miller
Most Improved: Kordell Searles
Best Rebounder: Jesse Lantiegne
Most Valuable Player: Guy Bean
All-Stars: Jesse Lantiegne, Treyson Ramos, Rahul Chhabria, Jacob Galloway, Gunnar Schultz, Moa Maka, Kaleb Tompkins, Manase Maake, Guy Bean, Cristina Arehart, John Yadao, and Kaitlin Fagerstrom.
The Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp operates in proud partnership with the following sponsors and businesses: The Fast Break Club, Commercial Signs & Printing, Oliver’s Trophies and Engraving, McDonald’s, KINY Radio, Kimmel Athletic Supply, Community Schools and RALLY.
The Best Basketball Camp Around
The Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp was a tremendous success delivering professional instruction to the youth of the region.
Friday June 21, 2013
For a school project, a little girl told her second-grade class at Auke Bay Elementary School what she wanted to do when she grew up.
“I want to play professional basketball,” she said.
Roughly 15 years later, that little girl, Talisa Rhea, went on to lead her high school to two state championships, start 13 games (play in all) for Oregon State as a freshman, dominate the Pac-10 league as a sophomore and junior, lead Seattle University to the Women’s Basketball Invitational semifinals her senior year, and, yes, play professional basketball.
“I remember my first camp here,” said Rhea, a Juneau-Douglas High School alumna (2004-07), standing on the Crimson Bears’ court she had sprinted up and down, across the lanes, under the backboards, time and again. “It was a long time ago, second or third grade. I always looked forward to camp, definitely. It was always something we anticipated as a kid.”
Rhea has spent the week as a guest instructor at the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp, paying forward her love and talent for the game to the campers while sharing experiences that helped her dream became a reality.
“I still definitely enjoy the game,” Rhea said. “And coming here, there is no pressure for me or any of these kids. We are just having fun and learning the basic fundamentals of the game. It is fun for me to come and play around with these kids I have watched grow up. Some of them were just in elementary school the last time I saw them, now they are these huge 6-foot-5 kids.”
Four years of college and a year of professional basketball in Poland later, Rhea has wisdom to share with campers who want to play Division I college hoops or earn a living.
“It is not an easy road,” Rhea said. “The college recruiting process, becoming a professional. However, there are so many opportunities now to play college. Not every kid has to go to a to Pac 10 school or Division I school. Go to a Division II or III, NAIA. If you want to play, you can. If you put in the time and the work, you can play somewhere.
“Be realistic about your possibilities,” she said. “Not everyone is going to be Carlos Boozer and go to the Olympics. We all have to realize that and set a realistic goal.”
Rhea grew up following her father Ken to his city league games and watching the annual Gold Medal Tournament. She said she was never pushed to play.
“I just loved it,” she said.
Rhea said her goal wasn’t formalized until high school when she realized she could play Division I. Then it became her passion.
It led her to Oregon State, where she played in all 31 varsity games her freshman year and started 13. She finished second in school career 3-pointers that season and was named to the Pac 10 All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, she started all 32 games for the Beavers, set the Pac 10 record for 3-pointers in a game, was named Pac Player of the Week, received All Pac 10 Team mention, all-academic accolades and ESPN The Magazine All-District honors. As a junior, she started all 31 games and led the Beavers in scoring, was selected All-Pac 10 Team and received all-academic honors.
Rhea sat out a year after transferring to Seattle University. As a Redhawks guard she led the team to the semifinals of the Women’s National Invitational, was selected three times by College Sports Madness as the Independent Player of the Week, was the second-leading scorer, led the team in assists and finished 26th in the nation in assist average.
While attending the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association clinic at the NCAA Women’s Final Four, Rhea was contacted by the Polish team Lotos Gdynia, known as Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia, of the PLKK League and the European League. The Euro League is the biggest in Europe with 15 countries represented. Rhea signed a one-year contract. The season ended in March, with Rhea the team’s second-leading scorer, third in assists and top in free throw shooting as she came off the bench.
“Basketball is becoming more of a business now, even at the college level,” Rhea said. “But once you start acting like it is a business, the fun starts to go away. I constantly try to find ways to keep it fun and enjoyable, otherwise you lose your passion for the game and there is no point in playing. It is like working a day job that you don’t want to be at every day.”
Rhea said her season in Poland was up and down. She had come from teams where she was the top scorer in high school and college and the go-to player, to being the first substitute off the bench.
“I was a starter since sixth grade,” Rhea said. “It is tough to go to a team and not be in that role. For me it was extra motivation and I found a different role on the team and played that role as hard as I could.”
Rhea earned numerous starts and valued the experience living in Poland, although it took her far from her personal relationships.
“I have been really lucky to have supportive family, friends and relationships,” Rhea said. “They all encouraged me to pursue basketball as far as I could and I have been fortunate. It is also extra motivation.”
Rhea is now playing the waiting game while her sports agent talks to professional teams in various destinations.
“My next goal is to get on another team in the top league of whatever country I am at and produce better numbers,” she said. “Once you reach the professional level it is about the numbers you put up and that kind of dictates how successful you are. It is good and bad because I don’t like to look at stats too much. I don’t like to base how I play on how many points I scored. For me, just getting on another team and having another opportunity and maybe eventually working for a tryout here in the U.S. I have some work to do to get to that point.”
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has received the full backing of the male counterpart NBA and has taken a solid foothold in television viewership.
Rhea could still be asked to come back by Lotos Gdynia, though the team did not renew her contract.
“They are trying to rebuild with younger and cheaper players,” Rhea said. “I did my year and we parted ways. The experience was priceless. We got to play a lot of good players that are now in the WNBA. It was kind of like college basketball. It was intense and took up a lot of time; we just did not have the school work. Going through a professional season you realize how important it is to take care of your body and to get rest and to play hard every game.”
Rhea is based out of Seattle where she will continue training and working a part time job until a team discovers they need a little girl with a big passion for the game.
“Now is about the time teams start to pick up players and things speed up a bit,” Rhea said. “Hopefully within the next month. It is nerve-wracking, a little stressful. You are a free agent.”
Rhea said she is working on a lot of things about her game, just like the Fastbreak campers are.
“I am still working on my shot,” Rhea said. “Creating my own shot, quickness, pretty much every aspect of my game. It seems like there is always an adjustment and always room to improve.”
From high school to college, college to professional, season to season, and even from day to day in the camp, fundamentals were addressed.
Two campers spoke of getting to play with Rhea.
“It was kind of cool,” said Zoey Kriegmont, a freshman at Thunder Mountain. “I like guarding people who are better than me because it makes me work better. I just wanted to beat her.”
Middle school athlete Erica Hurtte said, “It has been really fun and really educational. I have learned a lot of new things. I also think it was very tiring.”
Rhea said that when she stepped back on the JDHS court for the camp, “I remembered how cool and amazing it was to play here... the fans and the support form the community... the students... I haven’t seen a lot of colleges that match that.”
As the Fast Break camp came to a close on Thursday, a little girl dribbled a basketball between her legs, back and forth, around her back.
She made a fake to the right and drove to her weak side.
She pulled up for a soft jump shot and the ball settled perfectly between the iron oval, nestling into the net.
Talisa Rhea was home from work, just playing a game.
Passing on the passion - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Professional basketball player Talisa Rhea, former Crimson Bears guard, returns to Juneau
Thursday June 20, 2013
Former JDHS Crimson Bears guard Dominique Brinson was chosen the Most Valuable Player at the end of season award’s banquet for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks recently. According to UAF media the Nanooks were picked eighth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, in one of the toughest leagues in the country. In the season opening win against Colorado State-Pueblo, Brinson, (senior, accounting) scored 20 points. A week later, the Nanooks captured the GCI Alaska Invitational team title with three convincing victories to get off to a 4-1 start. The Nanooks started 5-1 in the GNAC and were the talk of the league but three straight defeats on the road put Alaska at 5-4 at the halfway point – still in fourth and a surprise to everyone besides the team. Three wins in the next four allowed for Alaska to sit at 8-5 in conference play and after a second straight loss in season to rival Alaska Anchorage, the defending national champions, Western Washington, The Vikings, ranked second in the country at the time, were riding a nation’s-best 30-game win streak and Western probably figured this would be the 31st in a row. Little did the Vikings nor anyone else in the gym that night know that Alaska had something different in mind. A hot start for the Nanooks, due in large part to consistent perimeter shooting and WWU’s inability to find a rhythm offensively, put Alaska up early.
WWU closed the gap and took a brief lead but the ‘Nooks answered back and as it went down to the wire in the second half, Brinson made a huge three pointer, the team made its free throws and the champs were stunned by Alaska, thus ending the streak.
The other neat aspect of that night was that Brinson’s mom, who lives in Juneau, saw Dom play for the first time live on the college hardwood.
“I was glad my mom was there because she doesn’t get to travel much having to work as a single mother,” Brinson said. “It was a special night for me. To compete with those guys says a lot about our team. Western could blow people out by 30 or 40 so to come out with that win is something I can’t explain.”
The Nanooks entered the GNAC Championship for the first time in program history as the No. 4 seed after finishing 15-11 in the regular season with a 10-8 record in conference action. Arguably its best performance of the season, Alaska was a fraction-of-a-percent off the best shooting percentage in tournament history as the Nanooks cruised to an 87-73 quarterfinal win over fifth-seeded MSU Billings. The following night, the season ended at the hands of Western, which would eventually advance to the Division II Final Four a couple weeks later.
“It was very special to have a winning record my senior year,” Brinson said of the team’s 16-12 season. “We wanted to bring the program back to what it used to be by winning, making the GNAC tournament and it was just a fun experience to be a part of.”
Looking back on the season that was, Brinson was the veteran leader on this team and his team-best 12.4 points per game put him on the All-GNAC Second Team.
“My goal was to be up there with the top players in the conference,” Brinson said. “To be considered with the best players [in the GNAC] is a great honor because there are a lot of great players in this league. It’s a lot on my team, they helped me get there in how we prepared and practiced as a team.”
Brinson was happy to play back in his home state and it is something he will hold near and dear to his heart for many years to come.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to come back [to Alaska] to play,” Brinson said. “I saw Alaska on my chest every game and I knew this is where I was born and raised. It’s cool to play for a coach who knows so much and who can make players better when they come here. I was grateful to play here and to play in one of the best leagues in Division II.”
The Nanooks should be very happy still, as they have landed 2013 JDHS grad Aquino Brinson who will be a preferred walk-on. UAF head coach Mick Durham as said he plans to red-shirt the younger Brinson for his freshman season.
Alaska Sports News
Dom Brinson Most Valuable Player
Sunday June 09, 2013
While the name may be new, the goals of the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp will be the similar to those established throughout 35-plus years of camps offered by the coaching staff of the boys basketball program at Juneau-Douglas High School. The aim is to help campers improve throughout the week, with an emphasis on individual skill development, team play, and execution of basic fundamentals. Campers will learn offensive and defensive skills while gaining valuable opportunities to set and work towards goals, improve physical fitness, and build self-confidence… all through the fun and excitement of the game of basketball.
The camp, in all its names (Hamey’s Hoop Camp, Houston’s Hoop Camp, and Crimson Bear Cage Camp), has served as an opportunity for boys and girls basketball players from around the state, and especially the region, to come together. It has allowed campers to improve their fundamental skills, make new friends, and enjoy a week of games and competition. Pre-registered campers for this year’s installments of camp hail from all over the Inside Passage including Juneau, Hoonah, Angoon, Petersburg, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Skagway.
Participants in Camp 1 will receive a camp T-shirt, camp basketball, undergo basic skills testing, and receive a certificate of achievement for successfully completing the camp. Participants in Camp 2 will receive a camp t-shirt, camp basketball, and have the opportunity to earn special awards including: League Champ, All-Star, Best Passer, Best Defense, Station Master, Most Improved, and Most Valuable Player.
Instructors at the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp will include current and former high school, college, and professional players/coaches. A highlight of Camp 2 will be the return of former Juneau-Douglas High School standout, and current women’s professional player, Talisa Rhea.
Space is still available in Camp 1 and Camp 2, details available at www.jdcrimsonbears.com.
Orientation for Camp 1 (players entering grades 2-8 next year) will be today, from 4pm – 5pm at the Juneau-Douglas High School main gym. Camp will run from June 10 – 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each day. All campers will begin at the JDHS gym each day. Coaches will escort some players to Harborview and/or Marie Drake for instruction, as necessary. All Campers will be picked up from the JDHS main gym at the end of each day.
Orientation for Camp 2 (players entering grades 8-12 next year) will be Sunday, June 16th, from 4pm – 5pm at the Juneau-Douglas High School main gym. Camp will run from June 17 – 21, 9am – 5pm. The All-star games and award ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 22 from 9am – 12pm.
Fast Break Basketball Camp begins tomorrow
Dust off your gym shoes and dig out your tank-tops, the Juneau Fast Break Basketball Camp will kick off two weeks of fundamental basketball instruction with Camp 1 on Monday (through the 14th) for boys and girls entering grades 2-8. Camp 2 will follow, beginning June 17-22 for boys and girls entering grades 8-12.
Tuesday May 07, 2013
The coaching staff wants to extend our gratitude to all the parents/guardians that filled vital roles volunteering this season staffing the Fast Break Club table, running concessions, housing visiting teams, etc. We would like to give a special nod to organizer-extraordinaire, Christina Rich, as she did great job wearing many of these hats in support of the season.
We would also like to acknowledge the support of the community at-large this season. All those that attended our home games and cheered us on, purchased raffle tickets, and the members of the Fast Break Club and the banner program provided the necessary financial support to fund our season.
Our thanks go out to Mark Calvert of AWARE, Inc., who was in attendance at the banquet, and has been instrumental with his guidance and encouragement during our first year implementing the Coaching Boys into Men program, a piece of Governor Sean Parnell’s Alaska Men Choose Respect campaign.
The coaching staff greatly appreciates the efforts and continued support of the JDHS administration and activities office; Principal Ryan Alsup, Assistant Principal Paula Casperson, District Athletic Director Sandi Wagner, and Activities Assistants Carrie Pusich, Cricket Curtain, and Gaye Willis.
Also, a big thank you to Klas Stolpe for the countless hours he put in to write the articles, take the photos, and provide stellar coverage of our team this season. His efforts absolutely add to the lifetime of memories created through high school athletics and activities.
Monday evening at JDHS also featured an awards banquet to wrap-up the 2012-13 Boys Basketball season. Family, friends, players, and coaches that were in attendance for the two-hour event used the time to reminisce, share stories of the past season, and celebrate the senior class as they embark on the next phase of their lives. A DVD slideshow from the season, with photos of players during game action and hanging out, was put together by Alberta Jones and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Klas Stolpe and several parents contributed photos for the slide show.
A focal point of the evening was honoring the accomplishment of the team and individuals with several awards. Some of the awards are statistical in nature and the players voted on the rest.
The winners for the JV’s special awards, as voted by team members, are as follows:
•The Most Improved award went to Raj Kumar (Jr).
•The Most Inspirational award went to Jericho Erasmo (Sr).
•The Most Hustle award went to Rahul Chhabria (Jr).
•The Best Defense award went to Dartanan Hodge-Campos (Jr).
•The MVP award went to Moa Maka (Fr).
The winners for the Varsity statistical awards are as follows:
•The Best Passer (most assists) went to Aquino Brinson (Sr).
•The Best Rebounder (most rebounds) went to Gary Speck (Sr).
•The Toughness Award (most charges drawn) went to Aquino Brinson (Sr).
•The Marksman award (highest 2pt shooting percentage) at 53% went to Aquino Brinson (Sr).
•The Deep Threat Marksman award (highest 3pt shooting percentage) at 35% went to Keith Ainsworth (Sr).
•The Mr. Clutch award (highest free-throw percentage) went to Keith Ainsworth (Sr).
The Varsity special awards, as voted by team members, are as follows:
•The Most Improved award went to Dartanan Hodge-Campos (Jr).
•The Most Inspirational award went to Phillip Fenumiai (Sr).
•The Most Hustle award went to Ben Williams (Sr).
•The Best Defense award went to Aquino Brinson (Sr).
•The MVP award went to Keith Ainsworth (Sr).
The last special award was created decades ago and named for Zach Gordon, due to his commitment to Juneau-Douglas High School athletics/activities and to supporting the youth of Juneau. It is awarded to the player that most embodies the ideals and values of Juneau-Douglas basketball on the court, in the school, and the community. This year, through team member voting, the Zach Gordon award went to Jackson Lehnhart (Sr).
As a coaching staff we would be remiss not to mention the leadership and guidance provided by the senior class this season. They were a pleasure to work with and we are proud of them for the legacy of hard work, determination, and resiliency they have left for the underclassmen to build upon.
Again, thank you Juneau for all your help. Each season is truly a “team” effort that is supported by many. We look forward to our returning/incoming players working hard to improve this off-season so Juneau-Douglas High School can continue to represent our community in a positive manner.
Sincerely,
Juneau-Douglas High School
Boys Basketball Coaching Staff:
Robert Casperson, Kevin Casperson, Steve Houlihan, Greg Huebschen, and Akeem Micheli
JDHS Awards Banquet Concludes 2012-2013 Season
The Juneau-Douglas High School boys basketball team recently held their end of the season awards banquet. During the celebration, the coaching staff noted how important the community was to our efforts this season, and in light of that, we would like to acknowledge the following groups and individuals for their continued support.
Wednesday May 01, 2013
Keith Ainsworth to Play College Basketball
Spokane Community College will add the services of Juneau-Douglas High School graduating senior Keith Ainsworth to their roster next season. This week Ainsworth signed his Letter of Intent to play for the SCC Bigfoot. The 2012-2013 leading scorer and MVP for the Crimson Bears will take his athletic ability to the NWAACC in pursuit of his Associates Degree. The JDHS boys basketball coaching staff give their congratulations to Keith and his family on this monumental occasion!
Sunday March 10, 2013
Region V 4A All-Conference
The Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears boys basketball team landed two players on the the All-Conference team this season. Senior guards Aquino Brinson and Keith Ainsworth secured their spots through aggressive and consistent conference play in the regular season. They were joined by Sam Jahn, Vili Tupou, and Matthew Seymour of Thunder Mountain, and Kable Lervick of Ketchikan.
Saturday March 09, 2013
With his team leading 55-52 and just seconds remaining, Thunder Mountain High School junior Matt Seymour calmly stepped to the free throw line to ice the Region V 4A Boys Championship and give the Falcons' their first basketball title in the school's short history.
It would have to wait one free throw.
"Yeah, I missed that first one," Seymour said. "But man, the second one felt so good. It was a great feeling when that buzzer went off, there is nothing else like it. I was in the championship last year and we lost it, that was awful. This is great."
The second one gave Seymour a game-high 17 points. Just 25 seconds earlier he scored on a twisting layup.
And with four seconds remaining Seymour stole the eight-time defending Southeast champ Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears' inbound pass and time expired and fans stormed Mt. Egecumbe's B J. McGillis Memorial Gymnasium floor.
"I want to give a shout out to Michael," Seymour said in an interview later. "Our coach read us an email from Michael, a home school kid who is a big fan of ours. We want to give a big shout out to Michael and all our fans."
Senior Sam Jahn, the team's workhorse, waited four years to defeat cross town rival JDHS in the Region V championship, to follow shots and post up, to defend the post and to hear the buzzer that signals his Falcons were going to the state tournament for the first time.
"I was so excited for our team," Jahn said. "We have been working so hard for four years now and it is just such a great feeling to finally accomplish what we have been working so hard for."
Jahn has had his arms full with Crimson Bears big men Gary Speck, Jeffrey Pusich and Bruce Jones all season.
"I was just thinking I have to go after every ball as hard as I could," Jahn said. "I had to fight for every rebound. If I got the ball inside I had to be strong with it or they would just take it away. I tried to be as strong as possible. The guys on JD are pretty tough."
Senior brothers Vili and Josh Tupou, the team leaders in composure and ball control, have battled their childhood friends for the past four years and when the buzzer sounded they hugged not only their Falcons' teammates but their brethren in the Crimson Bears' red and black as well.
"It was a good feeling to know that we beat a really good team," Vili Tupou said. "I grew up with almost all those guys, I am going to miss them a lot too. Our senior class has been working hard for this."
The Falcons were looking at a 16-10 first quarter deficit and trailed 29-21 at the half as Crimson Bears' senior Phillip Fenumiai nailed a basket at the break.
The second half was back-and-forth action.
V. Tupou hit five points in a row in the third period to cut the lead to three, 33-30 at the 3:15 mark.
"Those Tupou boys played controlled and intelligent," JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. "We used to be able to rely on them to force passes and shots... those two boys are the difference makers. To see their growth over four years and their maturity coming through proved to be very tough for us to deal with."
JDHS' Adam Empson came out of a time out to drop a soft jumper in the lane and the Crimson Bears put on a full court press for the first time in the evening.
V. Tupou found Ty Grussendorf in the corner for the first of his three triples to make it a 35-33.
Bruce Jones hit inside for the Crimson and Grussendorf hits his second three to cut it back to two. Another hoop by Jones and free throw by Speck pushed the lead to five but Seymour buried a three to cut it to 41-39 at the buzzer.
At 7:13 of the fourth quarter, clinging to a 41-40 lead, the hopes of another Crimson Bears' Region V title lay writhing on the court as JDHS senior Phillip Fenumiai landed on a defenders foot after a jump shot.
Suffering a severely dislocated ankle, Fenumiai refused to leave gym after medical personnel and coaches carried him back to the bench. Instead he gave what little he had left in vocal support.
On the next possession Seymour gave the Falcons their first lead since the first quarter on an up and under for a basket and a free throw for a 43-41 lead.
JDHS' Jeffrey Pusich answered by drawing S. Jahn's fourth foul and tied the game with two at the charity stripe. Senior teammate Keith Ainsworth rebounded a miss and fed Speck for a 45-43 Crimson Bears' advantage with 4:58 remaining.
The back-and-forth play continued as Ben Jahn, who game-to-game does all the quite dirty work on the boards, gave the Falcons a tie. JDHS' Gary Speck answered to regain the lead with a free throw.
J. Tupou hit V. Tupou for a 47-46 lead with 3:36 remaining and Ty Grussendorf hit his third shot from beyond the arch for a 50-46 advantage. V. Tupou added an old-fashioned three point play for a seven point led.
Ainsworth answered with a JDHS triple, and Seymour answered right back for a 55-49 Falcons lead.
JDHS' Jeffrey Pusich scored and fouled S. Jahn out of the game with nine seconds remaining. Teammate Ainsworth would rebound a missed free throw and get fouled, making one, missing the second and fouling Seymour on the rebound.
"I could not believe it, it was pretty surreal," TMHS coach John Blasco said of hearing the final buzzer. "I am extremely proud of these guys. They have been fighting for me for four years, putting in all the hard work truly paid off for them, I couldn't be more proud. It was a great win. It was a hard fought game. We have had quite a few comeback wins this year. The guys have a lot of confidence in each other and I have a lot of confidence in them. We just kept battling and we knew our shots would fall. We just kept attacking and finally we hit some big shots. Everybody contributed. That is the team aspect of us. Guys stepped up."
S. Jahn added 12 points for the Falcons, V. Tupou 10, Grussendorf nine, J. Tupou and B. Jahn four each. TMHS hit 8-15 at the charity stripe, JDHS went 9-15.
Pusich led the Crimson Bears with 15, Speck had 11, Fenumiai eight, Aquino Brinson and Jones six apiece, Ainsworth four and Empson two.
"We were focused and came out playing hard," Casperson said. "I know are guys are disappointed and I am disappointed for them, but I have told them all year long that all I can ask is they do their best. By far I got their best effort tonight. They played smart and played together. I am sure they would have liked a different outcome but it just wasn't in the cards for us tonight. I was proud of how they played. I hate to lose but they played as hard as they could and left everything out there."
The Falcons will play tonight at 8 p.m. against the Mt. Edgecumbe Braves in the 3A/4A crossover championship for trophy-less southeast bragging rights. The Braves defeated top ranked Sitka 55-45 for the Region 3A title and trip to state.
"We will approach it to win," Blasco said. "We want to go out and compete to win every game."
Falcons claim first Region V basketball title - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Thunder Mountain tops Juneau-Douglas 56-52
Friday March 08, 2013
A big rebound by Juneau-Douglas High School senior point guard Jackson Lehnhart in the fourth quarter drew the fifth foul on Ketchikan’s hot shooter Brien Auger and the Crimson Bears survived a 60-58 nail biter in the loser-out game of the 4A Region V Basketball Championships at Mt. Edgecumbe’s B. J. McGillis Gymnasium on Thursday.
Senior Gary Speck’s seven rebounds in the fourth quarter and Ainsworth’s first free throw of the game with five seconds left sealed the win.
“We had a great team effort on both sides of the ball against a very determined opponent,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “The Ketchikan kids had a lot of heart and play extremely hard the entire game and today was no exception.”
The Crimson Bears drew two quick fouls on Ketchikan mainstay Malik Alamenzor with just a minute gone in the first quarter but the Kings rallied to take a 16-12 lead at the break seven minutes later.
Back-to-back baskets by Kayhi’s Brien Auger gave the Kings a 21-12 advantage in the first moments of second quarter action.
Keith Ainsworth hit a deep triple and Bruce Jones blocked a Kayhi shot off the glass.
Ketchikan stretched a lead to ten 28-18 with three minutes remaining in the first half when Phillip Fenumiai took a rebound and drove the length of the court to draw a foul and sank both shots at the charity stripe.
Aquino Brinson hit two of his own from the line to bring the Crimson Bears within three points at the break, 30-27.
“I believe the difference in the game was that we were willing and able to match their competitive drive for a full 32 minutes,” Casperson said. “It was truly and entire team effort with everyone contributing at some point throughout the game, which is what we talked about pre-game.”
Fast paced action pushed the third quarter score to 36-32 Kings with just two minutes gone.
Gary Speck followed a Brinson miss to close within two points. After a Kayhi free throw, Brinson scored underneath on a tip pass from Speck and Ainsworth drew a charging call against the Kings for ball possession with 3:36 left in the period.
Ainsworth then cut back door and received a lob pass from Fenumiai for the Crimson Bears’ first lead of the game, 38-37 with 2:39 left in the period.
Brinson drew his third foul of the game to join Speck and Fenumiai on the danger list.
Kable Lervick gave the Kings a three-point lead and Fenumiai drove the floor to cut that margin to one with less than a minute in the third. Kayhi’s Auger was called for his fourth foul on an offensive drive but JDHS could not get off a final shot and trailed 41-40 starting the fourth quarter.
Fenumiai hit two free throws to give the Crimson Bears a one-point lead. Pusich hit two more for a 44-41 advantage for their biggest lead of the game.
In one 10 second stretch Lervick buried a triple for the Kings, Ainsworth dunked on a base line drive to pull the crimson Bears within one and Alex Pihl drove right down the middle to score for the Kings and draw Ainsworth’s fourth foul and a 49-46 Ketchikan lead.
A deep three by Ainsworth off the glass tied the score at 49 but Isaiah Navales came right back to score and earn Adam Empson’s third foul and a Kings lead.
Fenumiai scored on his own follow, Speck on a Fenumiai miss to pull within one and to tie game at 52 from the line with three minutes remaining.
Speck followed with two more charity stripers to give JDHS the 56-54 lead with 2:43 remaining.
Speck hit another free throw to give JDHS the 58-54 lead with 20 seconds remaining and Ketchikan’s Navales drove the floor to cut the lead to two with 11 seconds left.
Ainsworth was fouled and hit two free throws to seal the win and a last second shot by Kayhi’s Malik Almenzor at the buzzer notched the game’s final basket.
“I am proud of our guys,” Casperson said. “But our job is not finished. We will have to replicate today’s focus and desire against Thunder Mountain.”
Ainsworth led the Crimson Bears with 18 points, Fenumiai added 13, Speck and Empson nine apiece, Brinson six, Pusich and Jones two each, and Lehnhart one.
Lervick led the Kings with 12 points, Auger and Navales had 10 apiece, Phil eight, Gass seven, Almenzor six, Colton Paulsen and Mo Bullock two each and Erwin Malabanan one.
The Crimson Bears will play Thunder Mountain at 4:45 today in the championship game. A win for JDHS means both teams will battle again on Saturday. A win for TMHS will be the Falcons first Region V basketball championship.
Crimson Bears' boys nip Kings 60-58 to earn title bid - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
JDHS tops Kayhi in must-win game, will face TMHS in championship
Thursday March 07, 2013
Senior guard Dominique Brinson (Juneau, Alaska/Accounting) and junior center Sergej Pucar (Belgrade, Serbia/Business administration) were both honored on the All-GNAC Second Team while junior guard Pat Voeut (Bellingham, Wash./Communication) was tabbed as a GNAC Honorable Mention selection.
“I think those three are very deserving,” Durham said. “Our team by finishing fourth had a very good GNAC season so I’m excited for them. Anytime you finish higher than people expect, you feel good about that and we definitely did that.”
In only his second year at the helm, Durham led the Nanooks to their first winning season in six years with a 15-11 overall record and turned in the program’s best mark in conference play in seven seasons with a 10-8 record to finish in fourth place.
“It’s a great honor for Mick and a great acknowledgement of the program,” director of athletics Gary Gray said. “He and the team worked very hard and what a tremendous turnaround in one year. He is well deserving and it says a lot about his ability and speaks really well for the future of the program.”
The Nanooks won GNAC Team of the week three times throughout the 2012-13 season and its three All-GNAC honorees were named Player of the Week a combined five times. The signature win of the season, which clinched the program’s first post-season berth since 2005, was against Western Washington on Feb. 21, in which the ‘Nooks snapped WWU’s program- and GNAC-record 30-game win streak with a 77-73 victory at the Patty Center.
“I sure felt we could be a top-four team with how we recruited and we were able to do that,” Durham said. “I sure didn’t think we were an eighth-place team and I don’t think we overachieved. I think we played to our ability and that was fourth place.”
Durham shared the Coach of the Year accolade with WWU’s first-year head coach Tony Dominguez, who led the Vikings to the regular-season title with a 26-1 overall record and 17-1 mark in GNAC play.
Brinson led the team and ranked 12th on the GNAC’s scoring list with 12.5 points per game. He also ranked eighth in three pointers made (2.0) and ninth in free throw percentage (.831). Brinson recorded 15 double-figure scoring games and five 20-point games, which included a season-best 28 points at home against Western Oregon. He drained a career-high six treys in that win.
“You want your seniors to have a great season to remember and Dom has been very consistent,” Durham. “He’s our leader, he’s our second-year senior and he leads by example. He’s done that since last season ended. He had a great summer and I’m excited he was able to get this honor.”
Pucar turned it on the second half of conference slate and finished the regular season with 11.2 points per game while ranking tied for seventh in the GNAC with 6.9 rebounds per outing. Despite his size and being a post player, he was one of the league’s top three-point shooters as he connected on 45.8 percent (33-72) of his shots from beyond the arc. Pucar scored in double figures on 16 occasions and brought down 10-plus rebounds five times. He had career-highs of 26 points in the upset win over Western Washington and 16 rebounds, which he achieved twice in the road trip at Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene.
“Sergej just really came on the second half of conference and had two outstanding weeks where he was named Player of the Week,” Durham said. “We go how Sergej goes because he gives us that inside game and is also tough to guard because he can pop out and shoot it.”
Voeut ran the offense for the Nanooks at the point guard position and was solid on the defensive end as well. He was 18th in the GNAC with 11.8 points per game while also leading the league with 5.3 assists per game. In addition he was third in steals (1.7), ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.8) and 10th in free throw percentage (.828). Voeut recorded 16 double-figure scoring games and his season highlights included 25 points at Central, nine assists versus WWU and five steals against Seattle Pacific.
“Pat has been the leader on the court as the point guard,” Durham said. “We recruited him to be our point guard and he knew that the day he signed with us. It was a great opportunity for him and he really took advantage of it. He gets a lot of credit for being a leader on both ends of the court.”
The Nanooks fly to Lacey, Wash., this week for the GNAC Men’s Basketball Championship and will face fifth-seeded Montana State Billings in the first round Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. (PST).First Team: John Allen (WWU), Jarrell Crayton (MSUB), David Downs (SPU), Kyle Fossman (UAA), Paul Jones (WWU), Mark McLaughlin (CWU).
UAF's Brinson named to All-GNAC team - Juneau Empire
PORTLAND, Ore. – Second-year head coach Mick Durham has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year while three men’s basketball starters were named to the All-Conference teams, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
Wednesday March 06, 2013
The Ketchikan Kings hit four free throws in the final minute and stole a last second inbounds pass to top the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears 51-47 at the Region V basketball tournament in Mt. Edgecumbe on Tuesday night.
Ketchikan (1-0) will advance to face top seed Thunder Mountain (0-0) today at 4:45 p.m. in the double elimination format. JDHS (0-1) will play the loser of that game on Thursday at 9:45 a.m.
The Kings (1-0) hit three triples in the first quarter to take a 14-9 lead.
Six-foot-two senior guard Phillip Fenumiai went 6-7 from the free throw line and scored 11 points in the second quarter to spark the Crimson Bears.
Ketchikan stole a pass with 30 seconds left to tie the score at 23-all but Keith Ainsworth followed a JDHS shot to score at the buzzer for a 25-23 Crimson Bears advantage.
Aquino Brinson hit a layup at the buzzer to give JDHS a 39-34 lead ending the third period.
At the start of the fourth quarter Fenumiai was whistled for a charging foul and Jackson Lehnhart fouled on the defensive end but Kayhi managed just one point.
The Crimson Bears then traveled to give up the ball again and Kable Lervick scored on a baseline drive to cut the lead to 39-37 with six minutes remaining.
Alex Pihl dished off for a score and then drove for another as the Kings took a 44-43 lead with 4:02 remaining in the game.
A Crimson Bears turnover and a missed shot with a Pihl rebound gave the Kings a spread offense set. With three minutes remaining the Kings took a 45-43 lead.
Another missed Crimson Bears shot and the Kings brought the ball up court.
The Kings spread the court, forcing JDHS to chase and foul.
The Kings hit two free throws with 44 seconds remaining to open a four-point lead.
Fenumiai saved a loose ball on the JDHS end and drove to the hoop and fed a team mate for a layup.
The Crimson Bears fouled with 20 seconds remaining and put Kayhi on the line for a three-point lead.
Jackson Lehnhart drove the length of the floor to score and close within one, 48-47.
Malabanan was fouled and hit two free throws for a three-point lead with 10 seconds remaining, 50-47.
The Crimson Bears called time out and when they inbounded the ball the Kings picked it off. Alex Pihl was fouled and made one free throw to push the final lead to four.
Fenumiai led JDHS with 14 points and Ainsworth added 10.
Kayhi stuns JDHS boys 51-47 in tourney opener - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Free throws advance Kings to face top seed Thunder Mountain
Monday February 25, 2013
That is not in the Falcons nature.
After Friday’s 62-43 win over Juneau-Douglas High School, TMHS (7-1 conference, 18-6 overall) went head-to-head with the Crimson Bears (3-5, 8-16) on Saturday and came away with a 57-52 win.
Ty Grussendorf and Josh Tupou gave the Falcons an early 6-0 lead and JDHS’ Jackson Lehnhart went back-to-back to pull the Crimson Bears even in a game that saw 15 lead changes and three buzzer beaters.
Josh Tupou broke a 15-15 tie at the end of the first quarter with a make at the buzzer.
JDHS went on a 6-0 run at the end of the second quarter on baskets by Keith Ainsworth and Lehnhart to lead 30-23 with four seconds remaining.
That was just enough time for Ben Jahn to can a three-pointer and pull the Falcons to within four points at the half.
The Falcons tied the score at 36 with 1:55 remaining on a Vili Tupou drive, B. Jahn hit two free throws and Grussendorf went back door for a 40-36 advantage and momentum with just seconds remaining. This time JDHS got the finish as Phillip Fenumiai hit a length of the floor lay in with time expiring to cut the score to 40-38 starting the final quarter.
JDHS’ Ainsworth tied the score for the last time with 7:25 remaining in the final stanza. A basket by Sam Jahn inside and a key momentum triple by Mike Uddipa started a 9-0 run and the Crimson Bears did not find the hoop until 1:42 remained and Aquino Brinson slashed in for a score. JDHS could not get closer than five points down the stretch.
TMHS shot 20-39 from the field and 11-17 at the charity stripe; JDHS hit 21-39 outside and just 9-22 at the line. TMHS had eight turnovers to seven for JDHS.
Sam Jahn had a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Falcons, B. Jahn added 13 points (6 RB), J. Tupou (4 RB, 2 AST) and Grussendorf seven points apiece, V. Tupou (5 AST) six, Matt Seymour four, and M. Uddipa three.
Fenumiai led JDHS with 10 points (3 AST, 1 ST), Lehnhart nine (4 RB. 2 AST), Ainsworth (2 AST, 1 ST), Brinson (2 AST) and Gary Speck (7 RB) eight apiece, Jeff Pusich four, Nathan Klein three, and Adam Empson two.
Next up for Juneau teams are the Region V Championships at Mt. Edgecumbe on March 5-9.
Saturday's season finales hard fought at Thunder Dome - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
After clinching the Southeast Region V Basketball Tournament top seed on Friday night, the Thunder Mountain High School Falcons boys could have let up on senior night Saturday and coast into the championships next week.
Sunday February 24, 2013
Another first was recorded in the history books as the Thunder Mountain High School Falcons
A) clinched the southeast regular season title and are the Region V tournament’s top seed, and
B) beat the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears for the first time in the Thunderdome.
“It feels great to win at home against JD,” Falcons senior Josh Tupou said. “It is a big accomplishment and we did it as a team. We exposed some of their weaknesses and played together.”
The Falcons (7-1 conference, 18-6 overall) never trailed in Friday’s game, hitting three triples from beyond the arch in the first quarter and closing with a 9-1 scoring run and a 16-7 advantage over the Crimson Bears (3-5, 8-16). Senior Matt Seymour, Ty Grussendorf and Josh Tupou tallied the long balls and junior Ben Jahn hit two buckets inside.
After the Falcons scored the first bucket of the second quarter, JDHS seniors Gary Speck and Jeffrey Pusich led the visitors on a 9-2 run to close within two points, 18-16 with 4:41 remaining in the half. Speck hit 7-8 at the free throw line in the stanza and the Crimson Bears closed to within four points, 27-23 at the break.
The Falcons went up by 10 points at the 5:11 mark of the third period and when JDHS’ Pusich scored to cut the lead to eight, the Falcons responded with a Sam Jahn jumper and Vili Tupou’s deep triple. TMHS led 44-32 starting the final quarter and went on a 12-2 run to open a 20-point lead with 2:44 remaining that put the game out of reach.
“It was everyone playing together,” TMHS coach John Blasco said. “Holding on to the lead in the third quarter was crucial and the momentum stayed with us. We knew they would come at us hungry and I am so proud of our guys for responding with such a solid effort.”
Seymour and B. Jahn scored 13 points apiece, S. Jahn scored 12 and had 9 rebounds, Vili Tupou 12 points with 4 RB, 5 assists and 1 steal, J. Tupou five points, Grussendorf and Travis Johnson three apiece, Jacob Calloway and Rohan Kishore two each.
TMHS was 9-15 at the charity stripe and 22-36 from the field; JDHS went 20-28 at the line and 11-29. The Falcons had 12 turnovers to the Crimson Bears’ six.
JDHS’ senior Aquino Brinson led with a game-high 16 points (2 steals), Pusich 12 points, Speck seven (6 RB), John Yadao three, Phillip Fenumiai and Keith Ainsworth two apiece, and Bruce Jones one.
“We could not get a stop in the second half,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “They did a good job of making hard cuts and dribble drives that got them into good scoring position. We put pressure on them in the first half by attacking them and drawing fouls.”
On Saturday, Sam Jahn score 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Ben Jahn scored 13 points and hauled in six rebounds as the Falcons swept the Crimson Bears at home, 57-52 on TMHS senior night.
Phillip Fenumiai led the Crimson Bears with 10 points, Jackson Lehnhart added nine, and Gary Speck scored eight and pulled down nine boards.
Complete stats were not available at press time and will run in Monday’s paper.
The JDHS losses means that the Crimson Bears will open Region V tournament play against Ketchikan (2-6) and TMHS will await the winner of that game in the semifinals.
Falcons clinch top Region V southeast tournament seed - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
TMHS defeats JD 62-43 Friday and 57-52 Saturday
Wednesday February 20, 2013
The world is not going to end after this weekend’s cross-town matchup between the Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain boy’s and girl’s basketball teams at TMHS gym.
But the cosmos my get shaken up a bit.
On the boy’s side, bragging rights and the regular season title are on the line. On the girl’s side, momentum going into the region tournament is at stake.
“It is a big weekend,” TMHS coach John Blasco said. “It is the senior finale. The final games of the season, which are always big games. The winner, give or take how it goes, will be the regular season conference champion and get the bye in the first round of the tournament, which is something both teams are playing for.”
The Falcons’ boys are in the state’s top five ranking for the first time ever in the school’s short four-year existence. They are fresh off a six-game road-winning streak, four straight last week at Fairbanks’ teams, and have won nine of their last 10 games. Again, eight of which were on the road, two of them just down Egan Drive.
They are becoming seasoned to the idea of playing tough northern teams in the state tournament.
The Falcons’ home stand this weekend, which features senior night appreciation on Saturday between the varsity girl’s and boy’s games, will determine the Southeast Conference regular season champion. This would be the first regular season title, although it does not come with a trophy, and bragging rights across town.
TMHS is in the drivers seat with a five-win, one-loss conference record (6-0 in hustle and effort); that one loss was a forfeit to the Kings after a win due to a player participating in too many quarters. They have won at JDHS (57-56 and 68-49) and at Kayhi (69-64 and 57-38).
The odds are that the Falcons will defend their home court. They are 5-1 at home in hustle and play (again, 4-2 on paper).
Their lone “real-time” home loss was to Lathrop 71-46, a game they avenged at the Malemutes home last weekend. 52-50. They defeated visiting Sitka (51-45, 69-65), Kayhi (“54-36” win forfeited, 64-49) and Wasilla (39-27).
“I think the fact that we beat them (JDHS) at their place twice means they want to seek a little revenge at our place,” Blasco said. “Both teams want to end the season on a high note as they go into tournament play. You want the regular season conference title and you get the bye. In our sense we would look at it as a big achievement; the first time we have won our conference.”
If ever a senior class is deserving of wrapping up a SE Conference title it is Blasco’s group of Ty Grussendorf, Sam Jahn, Travis Johnson, Josh Tupou, Vili Tupou, Joe Ia and Avery Stewart. They have paid their dues for four years, taken their lumps and bruises, and have put their school on the state basketball map.
Talk is that the Falcons’ pep band will be bringing out a Drum Line, the dance team will unveil new moves, and the cheer squad will hop up and down hard enough to send residents to higher ground on Sunday.
The Falcons will have to slow down a more aggressive Jeffrey Pusich and Gary Speck inside and the improved guard action of Jackson Lehnhart, Aquino Brinson, Adam Empson and Keith Ainsworth on the perimeter.
The Tupou brothers are going to be vital, both ways, for the Falcons’ holding of home court. Seymour and sophomore Jacob Calloway are critical in taking pressure off of them and providing a scoring punch from the arch and in. They in turn will open up the arch and out for Grussendorf.
“I think people will be excited to watch these games,” Blasco said. “I am sure they will want to see if what we did the first time was for real. And now that they have Phillip (Fenumiai) back it adds a whole new dimension to their team.”
The JDHS boys cannot be overlooked.
The Crimson Bears (3-3) took a solid hold on second place in the conference with their weekend home sweep of the Ketchikan Kings (2-6), 56-46 and 63-51. They have lost to TMHS (57-56, 68-49) in the Bears den, at homecoming no less, and split at Kayhi (winning 49-42, losing 59-54).
“Every team that is playing this weekend is looking to build some momentum going into regionals,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “There has to be a balance between going all out to win the conference or keeping a trick or two up your sleeve. We have always looked at it as one game at a time. We are going to approach this series the same way. Friday is our next opportunity to play and we are excited for that. We are not looking beyond Friday.”
They too have seniors who have been with the program and chose to stay in town instead of head to the valley. Varsity players Brinson, Pusich, Speck, Ainsworth, Lehnhart, Ben Williams, Phillip Fenumiai and JV’s Danny Nore, Jefferson Estigoy and Jericho Erasmo deserve fan respect as well.
Fenumiai rejoined the varsity for the first time all season last weekend. The Falcons will face him for the first time on Friday, although they have grown up playing with and against him through their careers. Fenumiai brings a physical power in the mid-range setting and another ball handler and rebounder while in the rotation.
How the Crimson Bears deal with the Falcons S. Jahn is critical. Jahn is playing impressive inside ball and could tire both JDHS’ Pusich and Speck. JDHS sophomores Bruce Jones and Nathan Klein will be vital inside the key as are Williams and junior Dar Campos.
It will take a two-game sweep by the Crimson Bears to get the regular season title, and for that to happen it will require the JDHS cheer section packing up and moving down Egan Drive for the weekend.
It will also require slowing down the Tupou brothers, keeping the Jahn brothers out of the paint, and not allowing Calloway, Grussendorf and Seymour to get open looks or a path to the basket.
Two wins will also result in a tie-breaking scenario involving points against opponents and/or a coin flip. The Falcons would rather win outright, the Crimson Bears want what they can get.
“Thunder Mountain is much improved and their years of experience and playing time together has proven to be very difficult to over come,” Casperson said. “They have been successful in a lot of situations this season where they have not been in the past. What we are looking to do is make sure we are ready to play all four quarters against them because that is what it is going to take. They are a quality team and it is going to take a quality effort from us to defeat them on their home floor. It should be fun. It is the last time for many of these kids to play, I think the fans will be going through basketball withdrawls in another month.”
On the girl’s side, the southeast regular season title was wrapped up last weekend as JDHS (5-1 SE, 12-10 OA) swept at Ketchikan (4-4 SE). JDHS will get a bye in the region tourney March 5-9; TMHS (1-5 SE, 7-15 OA) will open with Kayhi.
“I think the biggest thing at stake is, now that we have clinched first place, is potentially letting down against Thunder Mountain and getting beat,” JDHS coach Dee Boster said. “Thunder Mountain is a team that can beat us if we don’t play our game. If that were to happen then I think the Falcons would be on a roll and have a huge confidence booster and make our kids think they may have taken something for granted. We talked about that specific thing today in practice. Do not take Thunder Mountain for granted.”
The Crimson Bears hosted and defeated TMHS (54-37, 60-39) back in January. Both of these teams are vastly improved since then.
“Both teams have grown and have had a good schedule against very good competition to improve ourselves,” TMHS coach Tanya Nizich said. “I think we have gained confidence and have learned as a team about transition. That was one of the biggest things we needed to work on is not letting any teams beat us down the court.”
The Falcons will have the home court edge and senior appreciation excitement.
Seniors Jonelle Staveland, Eyerus Tingley and Shayla Reeves would like nothing more than a two-game sweep over their town neighbors to finish their careers.
Staveland appears to have fully recovered from last season’s soccer injury and has become a scoring threat from the perimeter, tallying 21, 11, 9 and 10 points against tough northern competition last week.
Tingley and Reeves are more inclined to push the ball and score off the break or off their defensive pressure. Tingley will be crucial in keeping the ball in control.
Junior Micheala Demmert and sophomores Sarah Morris and Siosi Tupo will try to score either way, most notably on aggressive follows. Morris and Reeves can provide dribble relief.
One of the biggest keys will be the play of senior Cheyenne Ekis, sophomore Ashley Young and freshman Ava Tompkins.
Young is a tough defensive assignment inside, Tompkins is tough any time the ball is in her hands and Ekis will be depended on for inside power. It is on the defensive side that is vital; they will have to stay out of foul trouble trying to slow down the Crimson Bear’s inside force Gabi Fenumiai.
“It is something we have talked about and something we have been working on,” Nizich said. “We have to watch our fouls, especially on Gabi. We want to make her work for everything but we also want to move our feet and keep our hands off so we don’t make things easy on her.”
Physically, Fenumiai requires a double team to block out of either the zone or man defense or requires a teammate to double down from the top. That opens up scoring opportunities for JDHS’ senior sharp shooters Esra Siddeek or Emily Winters and inside work from junior Kayla Balovich.
Siddeek can slash and drive as well. Balovich is aggressive both offensively and defensively on the blocks. If Fenumiai is in foul trouble junior Ari Gross is still capable of shots off the glass.
The Crimson Bears also have the mid range games of juniors Kymberlee Kelly and Kaitlin Fagerstrom and sophomore Rachelle Roldan. Kelly and Fagerstrom out work opponents.
How much the Falcons control the pace of the game and keep control of the ball will decide the out come.
And the Crimson Bears possess the biggest game controller in 5-foot-2 guard Marissa Brakes. The senior is the front person in the defensive full court press and the main ball handler moving up court. Senior T-Jae Garcia and junior Tori Fogg are reliable bench.
Tireless and fearless, Brakes enthusiasm spreads among the Crimson Bear’ team and they roll as she goes.
The Falcons’ are no longer intimidated by that enthusiasm and will look to make history with a home win over JDHS.
“These games are going to be big for many of these kids,” Nizich said. “There are some girls that have stepped up tremendously along the way and we need them to all produce like they have been, but they have taken turns in every game and they need to all produce together this weekend. I think the biggest thing is gaining confidence going into regions. If either team has a bad game I think the level of confidence in the next set of bigger games might wane. Both teams are tough and all three (Kayhi) teams have the potential to make the region tourney very exciting.”
Said JDHS coach Boster, “ Just because we have the first seed in the region tournament does not mean we have it made. We still have to go out there and play basketball because Ketchikan has shown they can beat us and Thunder Mountain has beat Ketchikan. We are not overlooking Thunder Mountain at all this weekend, nor are we overlooking any team in regions. Our kids are pretty excited about any games and it is great to see that this late in the season.”
Game times for Friday and Saturday are girls at 6:15 p.m. and boys at 8 p.m. Senior Appreciation for the Falcons’ basketball, cheerleading, dance team and pep band seniors and their parents will be after the girl’s game on Saturday and before the boys warm up to play. Junior varsity action is 2:30 p.m. both days for girls and 4:15 p.m. for boys. C team action is on Thursday, 4:30 p.m. for girls and 6:15 for boys.
Falcons host Crimson Bears in regular season series finale - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
More than wins and losses at stake this weekend
Sunday February 17, 2013
With four minutes remaining in the first quarter Friday night, Juneau-Douglas High School senior Phillip Fenumiai made his first competitive steps since a season ending football injury six months ago, and the Crimson Bears made a huge leap back into contention for the Southeast Conference title with a 56-46 win over Ketchikan.
“It felt great to be playing with my teammates,” Fenumiai said. “It was fun. My first thoughts were not to turn the ball over when I got in the game. I was a little rusty.”
The numbers were not what spoke loudly about Fenumiai’s initial appearance; he got his first rebound at 3:20 in the first quarter, his first assist at 3:10, forced a turnover at 2:24 and left the game at 2:26. He got an offensive charge (3 fouls total) in the second quarter, an air ball from three-point land in the third, and threw the ball away once in the fourth. And he scored one point and pulled a couple rebounds.
It was how the Crimson Bears responded.
“Our effort has never been the issue,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “It has been the execution. Tonight we executed better, certainly adding Phillip into the mix with his experience, leadership and calming presence, helps everybody. He is a good team guy, he plays for the team first and they know that. The team did not leave Phillip on an island, they didn’t expect him to be a savior. That wouldn’t be fair to him and that is not fair to all the other hard work the other players have put in all season long. Phillip is not a savior, Phillip is a piece of our team.”
Senior Gary Speck put up a monster double-double, tallying 17 points and 15 rebounds; sophomore Adam Empson scored 14 points, including two baskets and five free throws in the fourth quarter with Kayhi threatening; senior Jeffrey Pusich scored seven points, four in the crucial first minutes of play; senior Aquino Brinson scored six points, senior Keith Ainsworth and sophomore Bruce Jones four, sophomore Nathan Klein two and senior Jackson Lehnhart one.
And they did it within the framework of the team.
“We got good minutes out of Jackson (Lehnhart),” Casperson said. “Aquino (Brinson) has been busting his backside all night, Gary (Speck) had every big rebound we needed down the stretch and that was huge for us.”
JDHS led 17-8 starting the second quarter and 24-19 at the break.
Alex Pihl and Erwin Malabanan kept Kayhi close in the third quarter with three shots from beyond the arch and the Kings trailed 38-31 starting the final quarter.
Kayhi’s Brien Auger scored all six of his game points in the final period but JDHS went 10-13 from the charity stripe down the stretch to secure the win.
“It is fun to watch when we are on,” Casperson said. “We have crisp cuts and passes. We have a lot of athleticism and when we execute, as we have shown in the season, we can beat some of the top teams in the state. I have confidence in every one of our players to be out on the floor.”
On Saturday the Crimson Bears took a 15-11 first quarter lead but managed only seven points in the second and trailed 29-22 at the half.
Ben Williams made an acrobatic tip in to start the third period and it fired up the Crimson Bears. Fenumiai and Ainsworth notched baskets and JDHS took the lead for the first time with 1:45 remaining in the period.
Ainsworth hit eight of his game-high 21 points in the fourth period, including six free throws, Speck scored four of his eight and grabbed six rebounds in the quarter, and Adam Empson scored all four of his game points in the stanza with four assists.
JDHS went on a 5-0 run to open the fourth and had control of the game the rest of the way.
“The fans really helped us out,” Casperson said. “They welcomed Phillip back on Friday night very classy. And they really stayed with us when we were behind tonight. I was proud of the guys. It was a very good senior weekend. To battle back tonight and erase Ketchikan’s lead like we did and then to turn the tide to get our own lead in that situation was key. We took care of the ball.
JDHS had just seven turnovers in the game.
Fenumiai added nine points, Speck eight, Brinson, Pusich, Empson, Lehnhart and Williams four each, Jones three and Klein two. JDHS hit 13-19 at the free throw line, Kayhi went 12-14. Lervick led the Kings with 14 points, Auger added 11, Navales 10, Phil five, Pawsen four, Gass three and Almenzor and Malabana two each.
JDHS improves to 8-14 overall and 3-3 in the Southeast Conference; Kayhi is 2-6 in the SE Conference.
JDHS sweeps Kayhi 56-46 Friday, 63-51 Saturday - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
Fenumiai returns, seniors play big
Friday February 15, 2013
Following are coaches remarks of senior players:
Aquino Brinson (team captain) has had a strong senior year for us. He has played multiple positions this year and has easily logged the highest number of minutes this season. Aquino has made great strides in his final year and is enjoying success as an outcome of his dedication in the off-season.
Jeffrey Pusich (team captain) was selected by his teammates as our speaking captain due to his leadership on and off the court. He is a hard working and dedicated young man that gives stability to our team. He is also an inside-outside presence this year with his ability to score in the post or knock down a 15-foot jumper. Jeffrey has provided guidance to our underclassmen and proudly shown them what it takes to be a Crimson Bear.
Jackson Lehnhart (team captain) is quite possibly Juneau-Douglas’ most decorated varsity athlete in recent memory. He has competed in varsity basketball, baseball, football, and soccer. While injuries have limited his time this season on the basketball court, he has not let that impede his ability to provide leadership. He has been a valuable member of the team this season in whatever capacity he has been able to fill. He has become more comfortable on the court in recent weeks and always provides the team a spark.
Ben Williams is in his second season of participation with the boy’s basketball team. He brings a level of toughness and competitiveness to the team that is highly appreciated. His skills continue to improve and he has been a pleasure to work with.
Gary Speck is a high-energy post player that is no stranger to contact in the key. He works hard to gather rebounds that start fast break opportunities for his teammates. Gary’s desire to rebound and ability to shoot a high percentage in the paint have provided a lift to the team this season.
Phillip Fenumiai has worked diligently to recover after an injury suffered at the beginning of football season. While working through his rehab process, and anticipating his return to basketball, Phillip has been attending practice on a nightly basis where his years of varsity experience have allowed him to provide guidance and leadership to the team. Upon his return, he has the ability to cause match-up problems due to his combination of skill, size, speed, and strength.
Keith Ainsworth is a high-flying player that has brought an ability to attack the rim and shoot the three-pointer to the team this year. He has taken on challenges to meet the needs of the team. If the team need a basket, rebound, or defensive stop Keith is willing to do what it takes to help his teammates be successful.
Jericho Erasmo has a high work ethic, pleasant demeanor, and willingness to learn. He has improved consistently throughout the season and provided a lift to practice and game situations. He is a very respectful young man that will continue to find success in his life as he moves forward.
Jefferson Estigoy is well liked by his teammates and coaches. He has brought an energy and flair to the team this season. He has continued to increase his basketball knowledge and skill as the season has progressed.
Danny Nore is steadily improving and has really come on in the last several weeks of play. He is athletic and hard working. Danny has constantly pushed his teammates to improve in practice due to his high energy.
Crimson Bears senior boys to be honored on Saturday - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School Crimson Bears boy’s basketball team will hold their senior appreciation night on Saturday while hosting Ketchikan. The ceremony will be prior to the 8 p.m. tip off. Senior basketball, pep band, cheerleaders and dance team members and their parents will be celebrated. JDHS also play the Kings Friday night at 8 p.m.
Thursday February 14, 2013
Jackson Lehnhart’s two deep triples showcased the opening stanza as both teams scored 16 apiece. Heading into the second quarter both teams upped the pressure with Mt. Edgecumbe taking a 29-25 advantage at the break.
The Braves’ Leo Ford tallied 10 of his game-high 24 points in the third period and Gary Speck seven of his 11-game points as both teams put 20 points apiece on each side of the score clock.
Mt. Edgecumbe hit 14 free throws in the fourth quarter, while JDHS got deep three’s from Aquino Brinson and Adam Empson. The charity stripe margin was enough for Mt. Edgecumbe to take the game.
Lehnhart led the Crimson Bears with 12 points, Speck 11, Keith Ainsworth and Empson nine each, Jeffrey Pusich seven, and Dar Hodge-Campos six.
JDHS hit 10-17 at the charity stripe, Mt. Edgecumbe went 20-30.
Ford led the Braves with 24 points, Ryan Morgen 17, Donald Edenshaw and Grant Akaran nine apiece, Kenny Jackson seven, and Alan fisher three.
JDHS host the Ketchikan Kings tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. Saturday is Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation for boy’s basketball, the cheerleaders, dance team and pep band. The ceremony will be held before the 8 p.m. start.
Boys Lose to Mt. Edgecumbe - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The visiting Mt. Edgecumbe Braves toppled the Crimson Bears’ boys 69-54 Thursday night in a close game that was decided only by a Braves run in the fourth quarter.
Sunday February 10, 2013
“I feel that we came out flatter than I expected,” JDHS coach Robert Casperson said. “I feel that when we kept them in front and forced them to play in the half court we did a lot better.”
Senior Keith Ainsworth scored eight of his 18 game-points in the first quarter as JDHS held a 16-14 advantage. Lathrop’s Tremon Washington was unstoppable in the second quarter, scoring 12 of his game-high 26 points on an assortment of long range and driving shots. Ainsworth kept the Crimson Bears in play with two deep triples and sophomore Adam Empson tallied four of his eight game-points around the bucket.
“We did a really good job of rebounding,” Casperson said. “Especially considering the athleticism on the other side of the ball.”
The Malemutes went on a 12-6 run to open the third quarter and ended the stanza up 51-41.
Senior Aquino Brinson nailed a deep triple to start the fourth quarter that pulled the Crimson bears to within seven points at 51-44 and then added two free throws to make the lead just five, but another 8-2 run by Lathrop off of their defensive full court press denied a comeback.
“A lot of their points tonight came off of transition,” Casperson said. “Whether it was turnovers that turned into layups or defensive rebounds that they got quick outlets and down the floor, I thought that was where they really hurt us. We need to do a better job in sprinting back in either situation.”
The Crimson Bears would not get closer than nine points the rest of the game.
Brinson added 14 points for JDHS, senior Jeffrey Pusich and sophomore Bruce Jones five apiece, junior Dar Hodge-Campos three, senior Gary Speck two, and sophomore Nathan Klein one.
JDHS hit 13-18 at the free-throw line, Lathrop went 17-23.
Tevin Gladden added 12 points for the Malemutes, Gabriel Cunningham 10, Everett Green eight, Kyle Carlson seven, Cole Berner five, and Alex Jordan one.
On Saturday Lathrop shot 47 freethrows to Juneau’s 20 in a game the Crimson Bears lost by nine points. A technical foul on the JDHS bench in the fourth quarter saw an injured Lathrop player Carlson sub in to shoot the freethrows and then sub out without a click on the clock going off.
The Crimson Bears wore black uniforms and battled from behind the entire game. JDHS trailed 8-5 after one quarter, 18-16 at the half, and 35-26 starting the final stanza. Whenever the JDHS pulled within striking distance their press resulted in a foul and Lathrop converted, stemming momentum. Ainsworth led with 10 points, Brinson, Pusich and Speck added six, Lehnhart four, Empson, Jones and Klein two apiece. Lathrop’s Cunningham led with 12 points, Gladden and Washington added eight, Green six, Jennis five, Carlson four, Jordan two, Berner and Ford one each.
“We were better tonight than last night,” Casperson said. “And that is our goal, to get better every night.
JDHS hosts Mt. Edgecumbe on Thursday and Ketchikan Friday and Saturday.
JDHS falls to Lathrop - Juneau Empire by Klas Stolpe
The Juneau-Douglas High School boy’s basketball team ran into an athletic Lathrop team on Friday and Saturday at the Crimson Bears’ den, falling 69-57 and 47-38. On Friday a first half saw seven lead changes and the Malemutes clinging to a 33-30 halftime lead.
