Sitka vs Juneau Basketball: Wolves Fall to Crimson Bears 56-49

Sitka Wolves Overpower Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears After Friday Victory

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s boys basketball team suffered a decisive 60-30 loss to the Sitka Wolves on Saturday, February 7, 2026, just one day after securing a 56-49 victory over the same opponent. The loss drops the Crimson Bears to 9-7 on the season, ending a three-game winning streak.

The game, played at the George Houston Gymnasium, saw a stark contrast in intensity from Friday night’s contest. According to JDHS coach Robert Casperson, “Sitka came out with their jaw set and their ears pinned back and punched us right in the face and we weren’t ready for it.” Casperson took responsibility for the team’s lack of preparedness, stating, “That’s my fault. I didn’t have them ready.”

Sitka quickly established dominance, opening the game with a three-pointer from senior Kai Hirai. While Juneau-Douglas junior Logan Carriker responded with a shot of his own, it proved to be the last time the Crimson Bears were evenly matched on the scoreboard. The Wolves then embarked on an 18-3 run, closing the first quarter with a commanding 21-6 lead.

The Wolves’ first-quarter surge was fueled by contributions from seniors Brett Ross and Trey Johnson, junior Colton McGraw and another two three-pointers from Hirai, including one from just inside half court. Senior Shane Tincher added to the offensive onslaught with an acrobatic rebound and score.

The Crimson Bears struggled to find their rhythm offensively, with senior Brandon Casperson hitting their only three-pointer of the game.

Friday’s game told a different story. The Crimson Bears avenged two earlier road defeats at Sitka with a 56-49 win. Coach Casperson expressed pride in his team’s growth since their previous encounters with the Wolves, which resulted in losses of 66-54 and 55-37 on January 9th and 10th. “Everyone contributed in whatever their opportunities were today,” Casperson said. “Most importantly, we battled for all four quarters against a very good basketball team and focused on making the next play.”

The Friday night contest featured six lead changes in the first half, with Sitka holding a seven-point advantage, 15-8, early in the second quarter. The Crimson Bears matched the physical play of Sitka’s experienced seniors – Brett Ross, Kai Hirai, Shane Tincher, Trey Johnson – and juniors Shane Carlos, Josh Partido, and Colton McGraw throughout the game.

A late push by JDHS, including free throws from Brandon Casperson and a shot from Joren Gasga, helped narrow the gap. The teams continued to trade blows, maintaining a competitive intensity throughout the remainder of the game.

Saturday’s defeat highlights the challenges facing the Crimson Bears as they navigate a competitive season. The team will need to regroup and rediscover the intensity they displayed in Friday’s victory if they hope to continue their pursuit of a successful season.