By Jeff Brady

For the News

They accomplished something that had not happened in their lifetimes, literally. No one on the 2024-25 Skagway team was born the last time their school sent a boys’ basketball squad to State.

A happy Skagway team celebrated on the court at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain Middle School last Saturday after coming back through the consolation bracket and beating Klawock, 53-49, in the runner-up game.

Two days earlier, a hobbled Skagway team fell hard to Klawock in the regional semifinals, preventing the Panthers from getting to the championship game against Kake. So Saturday’s win over the Chieftains was sweet revenge after a topsy-turvy week.

Skagway, the region’s second seed, dominated its first opponent, Thorne Bay, 62-25. The Panthers’ top scorer, junior Royce Borst, was a highlight reel in the first half, dunking at will, but on his last dunk he landed awkwardly and turned an ankle.

X-rays were negative, and Borst tried to play in the semifinal, but he was on the court only 90 seconds. A deflated Skagway team could not find the basket and fell behind 32-10 at the half and lost 47-26, sending them to the consolation round.

The Panthers did well without Borst the next day, knocking off a pesky Angoon team, 39-28, giving them hope that their star would be able to play on Saturday. 

With Borst back and the team regaining its rhythm, they dominated Hydaburg by 30 points in a morning game, setting up the rematch versus Klawock that evening. The Chieftains had been no match against Kake in the championship, and would have to play a hungry Skagway team in the runner-up match.

Back with a full roster, the Panthers looked invincible, opening up a 31-11 first half lead, basically the reverse of what had happened to them two days earlier. 

A stifling zone defense by Skagway forced a lot of errant shots by the Chieftains and Skagway got its fast break going. Point guard Kaleb Cochran got his fourth foul and had to sit, but his sub, Malcolm Lawson, was a difference-maker in this game. He not only hit a 3-pointer to close out the half, he also was steady at the free throw line.

But Klawock settled down in the second half and slowly chipped away at the Panthers’ lead. The Chieftains got within five with about three minutes left in the game, but two key plays turned the tide back to Skagway: a Cam Lawson drive and finish, and then a clutch pass from Borst to Ryder Calver down low for an easy bucket. Lawson, Cochran, and Landon Rodig added more free throws to effectively seal it, only to have Klawock get a couple of steals in the last 15 seconds and convert to make it closer. 

But Borst was the key, leading the way with 17 points. Both Borst and senior playmaker Rodig were later announced all-conference selections. 

Coach Ross Barrett said the boys are still a little banged up, but they will be ready for State this week. They are the first Skagway boys’ team since 2003-04 to get there, and it was their aim all year.

Royce Borst goes for a dunk in a game in Skagway early in the season. Photo by Jeff Brady

“At the beginning of the season we set our goals to play our best basketball in March,” Barrett said. “We didn’t have our best games at the regional tournament but kept fighting for the opportunity to get to State. Every time we had a bad stretch, we came up swinging. I’m proud of the way our guys never gave up. We’re all thrilled about keeping our season going and the opportunity to play the best teams in Anchorage, but we’re always aiming for the ultimate goal, to win it all.”

Tourney play started Wednesday in Anchorage. See results at asaa.org and listen for games on KHNS. 

Lady Panthers just miss return to State

The Skagway girls’ squad was also seeded second going into regionals and played some thrilling games in Juneau, just missing a third straight trip to State.

The girls had a bye right to the semifinal match-up against Hoonah, a team they had swept in Skagway early in the season. Skagway battled back against a scrappy Hoonah team that led most of regulation in a very tight game and took the game to overtime. Even with two starters on the bench who had fouled out, Skagway did not let up. After a Millie Myers 3-pointer tied it with 16.7 seconds left, an errant foul sent Hoonah to the free throw line. The player missed both, but the rebound went to Hoonah’s big Nevaeh Campbell who put in the winning bucket at the buzzer for a 48-46 win.

Like the boys, the Skagway girls had to battle through the consolation round to get to the runner-up game. They first knocked off Angoon, 61-15, but it took another overtime thriller against Kake to get the Lady Panthers to the last game on Saturday. In the OT, Skagway got key free throws from Myers and Kaitlyn Tronrud to win, 34-32, as their defense held Kake scoreless.

Unfortunately for Skagway, the girls were unable to match that energy in the runner-up rematch against Hoonah, who took an early 8-1 lead. Skagway rallied to tie the score 14-14 on a 3-pointer by Lennon Jennings early in the second half, but Hoonah got hot again and put the game away, 31-19.

Jennings and senior Tronrud were named to the all-conference team.

 

Coach Nate Jennings was proud of the way his team bounced back,

 

despite falling in the end to a good Hoonah team that heads

 

to State with region girls’ champ Klawock.

“I am so proud of the seven ladies I was privileged to coach this year,” Jennings said. “Although we lose two seniors (Tronrud and point guard Kenadie Cox), I am already looking forward to a squad that has ‘been there and done that’ next year. Kelsey Cox and Mackenzie Mixon really blossomed at regionals. They sent a big signal to me that they are ready to be a big part of this program moving forward.” 

Jennings also had some encouraging words for the Skagway team that did make it to State this year.

“I am so proud of the boys team,” Jennings said. “Working alongside coach Barrett has been invaluable to me. His group bought in this year and they achieved something that hadn’t been done in over two decades. Punching their ticket to the State Tournament.”

Lila Lawson, Camden Lawson, Landon Rodig and Mackenzie Mixon are recognized with the sportsmanship award. Photo by Alanna Lawson