Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

The Haines Community Youth Development basketball season came to an end last weekend in Juneau. Teams spent spring break testing their mettle against Southeast Alaska teams in the Mike Jackson Memorial Tournament.

The Haines boys sent two teams, A and C, while the girls sent a B and C team. Additional teams were from Juneau, Petersburg and Sitka.

Boys’ coaches Kyle Fossman and Matt Davis each said the best thing about the tournament was the volume of games the kids get to play. Each team played 9 or 10 games, giving each player opportunities to play. Girls’ teams played 5 or 6 games each.

The boys’ A team finished second, and the C team finished fourth, overall.

Mark Davis, Carson Crager, Luke Davis, and Wesley Verhamme were recognized as all-tournament selections.

During the two years he has coached, Fossman said the most impressive thing he has seen is an improved basketball IQ among his players.

“When they sub in and need to change positions (due to matchup problems) they recognize it and they just do it. That shows they are truly mentally engaged in the game and in practice when we work on that sort of thing, which is great to see.”

Davis said he’s sad to see the season end but was pleased that all season long the team “had a great atmosphere and showed good teamwork.”

On the girl’s side of the bracket, the Haines B team lost in the semifinal round by one point, but the Haines girls’ C team won its division by defeating Juneau’s Hooptime team.

Natalie Jobbins, Natalie Crager, Miranda Haddock, Sophia Cunningham, and Alison Benda each earned all-tournament recognition for individual play.