WEEK IN REVIEW

CIC Football: Five rushing TDs carry Bartlett to 32-14 victory over East in annual battle for ‘The Boot’

by Van Williams | Aug 28, 2022 | Cover Story, Football, Prep Spotlight

The Bartlett football team cleans up nicely. Eager to scrub away mistakes made in last week’s loss to Juneau, the Golden Bears on Saturday played a spotless first half on their way to posting a 32-14 win over East in the annual battle for “The Boot.” Bartlett led 20-0...

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Star guard Sayvia Sellers to the Pac-12; Alaska’s top girls prep player commits to Washington

The University of Washington has won the Sayvia Sellers sweepstakes. The nationally ranked Class of 2023 guard out of Anchorage announced on social media that she has committed to the University of Washington. The 5-foot-7 four-star recruit picked the Huskies over....Read More

Anchorage’s Nyanuer Bidit takes over 2nd set, nets 7 blocks for Southern Miss

by Van Williams | Aug 26, 2022 | Volleyball

Southern Mississippi middle blocker Nyanuer Bidit of Anchorage slammed the door on McNeese with seven blocks, including five in the second set when the 5-foot-10 playmaker took over the NCAA Division I match. She scored four of her team’s final six points on a kill...Read More

Course championship season concludes with Anchorage Open overall victories for Carr, Hawkins

by Matt Nevala | Aug 29, 2022 | Cover Story, Golf

In arguably the greatest golf moment of his young life, Jack Carr briefly stepped away from the festivities to do what all good boys and girls should. The West High senior grabbed his phone and called his mother from just outside the Anchorage Golf Course clubhouse.... Read More

CIC Football: Juneau’s appetite to tackle challenges has Huskies unbeaten entering Week 3

by Van Williams | Aug 25, 2022 | Cover Story, Football, Prep Spotlight

With the Juneau football team tied atop the Cook Inlet Conference standings entering Week 3, head coach Rich Sjoroos had a message for his players: Don’t get comfortable. The longtime Juneau coach is determined to keep the Huskies hungry and avoid complacency after...Read More

UAF, UAA cross-country running teams ready to face off on home soil

by Arielle Himelbloom | Aug 26, 2022 | Cover Story, Cross Country Running, UAA, UAF

The two northernmost NCAA teams are primed to open the season with a pair of cross country races. UAF will host its annual Blue & Gold Invitational this weekend in a clash against UAA. Next weekend the Seawolves will return the honor with the Seawolf Throwdown on the...Read More

Women’s Shootout returns; tournament links past homegrown stars like Ingham with current players Pinckney, Hajdukovich & Carson

by Van Williams | Aug 25, 2022 | Basketball, Cover Story, UAA

It’s been 20 years, but Laura Ingham still gets emotional when she thinks back to when she played in the Great Alaska Shootout. “Just remembering, I got a little choked up,” said the legendary Anchorage point guard. The former East High girls basketball star took over... Read More

CIC Football: It’s deja vu all over again for Colony, which wins on pick six for 2nd straight week

by Van Williams | Aug 27, 2022 | Cover Story, Football, Prep Spotlight

Colony’s Jack Nash has implemented a ‘No-Fly Zone’ in the Cook Inlet Conference. One week after grabbing two interceptions, the junior defensive back picked off four passes and won the game with a pick-six late in the fourth quarter as the Knights scored a stunning... Read More

Palmer’s Eve Stephens, North Pole’s Ainsley Smith lead Alaska contingent in GNAC’s first weekend

by Van Williams | Aug 23, 2022 | Cover Story, Volleyball

The state of Alaska took center stage over the weekend when the GNAC volleyball season tipped off in Hawaii. The UAA Seawolves went 3-0 and the UAF Nanooks posted a 3-1 record in the 808 state, with homegrown stars Eve Stephens of Palmer and Ainsley Smith of North...Read More

Raythan Robbins makes move to Mavericks, adds name to local list of goalies to play at Division I level

by Matt Nevala | Aug 22, 2022 | Cover Story, Hockey

It’s likely common for most incoming college freshmen leaving their roots for a new adventure elsewhere to play out the scenario weeks in advance, if not months. What will those final moments feel like before the plane takes off and is no longer touching Alaska soil?...Read More

In Memory . . . 

Aug 23, 2022 

Alaska lost two respected and well-liked figures in the basketball community and beyond this past weekend. Amelia Nowak and her boyfriend Derek Duerr were killed when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver.

Amelia, 18, was an All-Conference guard at South Anchorage High School. She planned to play college basketball this fall. An honors student, she planned to study medicine and hoped to be a neurosurgeon.

"Amelia was the epitome of the student athlete," said South High activities principal Chris Ruggles. "She had a genuine heart, and was one of the toughest kids I've ever seen take the court. She was loved by everyone and the South community is crushed."

Derek, 20, graduated from East Anchorage High School. A late-bloomer in the sport, he had become a fixture in the Anchorage basketball scene. He planned to play college basketball this fall at Bellevue Community College.

"Derek had so many friends in every corner of the Anchorage basketball community," said local hoops figure Joey Barranco. "I think it's because he radiated love and positivity."

Known for their outgoing personalities, both were friends to many. Gone too soon. Rest in Peace.