ALASKA SPORTS TALK
NEW EPISODE! This episode is a love letter to Alaska basketball, led by Joe—the walking encyclopedia of high school hoops who’s spent decades tracking teams, players, and tournaments across the state. Keaton, Isaiah, and Brad dive into Joe’s unmatched network (79 schools strong!). The crew breaks down the current high school landscape: Lathrop rolling at 8–1, Anchorage teams battling, South coming off a Fairbanks tournament win, and Barrow being far more dangerous than their record shows. With just three weeks left in the regular season, March Madness talk heats up—brackets drop March 8, games start March 11, and Joe reminds everyone that predicting Alaska hoops is never easy. They also touch on mentorship, the impact of the shot clock, Super Bowl picks (Isaiah holding down the Seahawks fandom), and a heartfelt fan story. The episode wraps with UAA basketball and hockey updates, NFHS Network highlights, and a jaw-dropping 70-save performance by freshman goalie Tristan Sanders—plus a promise that Joe will be back when March Madness Alaska chaos begins. Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Es8U8jFO9PA
AST RECENT EPISODES
A podcast all about Alaska Sports! We bring insight, knowledge, with an interesting and fun perspective about all the happenings in high school and college sports in Alaska!
Photos on AlaskaSportsTalk.com provided by Stephanie Goon (@goongallery96), Todd Ramoth and the University of Alaska Anchorage
SEASON 3, EPISODE 26
All the boys are back! Keaton, Brad, and Isaiah brings serious Alaska sports juice as we are joined by Josh Muehlenkamp, West Anchorage Boys Basketball Head Coach. The crew opens with a breakdown of the Alaska Airlines Classic Basketball Tournament, where West Anchorage made an impressive run to the championship game in front of packed gyms and electric crowds. Coach dives into what makes the Classic special, why school games are critical for student engagement, and how growing student sections and community buy-in can take Alaska basketball to another level. The episode also gets tactical as Josh discusses team depth, player trust, and developing younger athletes—especially with quick turnarounds and tough matchups ahead. The focus isn’t just on today’s game plan, but on preparing players for future opportunities by giving them meaningful reps, building confidence, and balancing system basketball with individual strengths. That player-development theme carries into a broader hoops discussion, touching on what college coaches really look for, the role athleticism plays in recruitment, and why investing in young players pays off long term. The guys then pivot to the college level with a UAA basketball update, highlighted by the men’s team climbing to third in the GNAC, earning Team of the Week honors, and Hassan Harrington’s emergence as a leader. The women’s team faces adversity after a tough stretch, setting up a challenging road slate against elite competition. The episode wraps on the ice with a look ahead to the high school hockey state tournaments—Division I returning to Sullivan Arena for the first time in decades. Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tq71hkkSPRg
SEASON 3, EPISODE 25
Isaiah kicks things off riding the high of the Seattle Seahawks’ beat down of the 49ers and advancing to the NFC Championship Game Sunday vs the Rams (aka Lambs)!! SEA-HAWKS! Brad and Isaiah are joined by special guest Don Winchester with the Alaska Airlines Classic! The conversation then shifts to the always-competitive O’Brady’s Tournament, where South battled through tough conditions to come out on top! Don helps us preview the Alaska Airlines Classic, breaking down both the girls’ and boys’ brackets. The girls’ tournament tips off with a strong field featuring Colony, Sitka, Monroe, and West Anchorage, while the boys’ side brings national flavor with teams from New York, Florida, and Arkansas — including a Central Arkansas squad that’s turning heads. The group talks rankings, matchups, student-body games, and why this tournament continues to be a premier showcase for Alaska basketball. The episode also dives into one of the hottest topics in high school hoops: the shot clock. Don, Brad, and Isaiah discuss how it’s changing the game at the 4A level — speeding things up, adding strategy, and creating more exciting finishes — while also weighing the financial and logistical challenges that make expansion to smaller classifications a huge challenge. Finish the show with the electric Wolverines shootout win over the Ice Dogs on Friday night, then a 4-2 win on Saturday complete with something we have never seen before… a GOALIE GOAL! Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p4vReXNCFBk
SEASON 3, EPISODE 24
Keaton, Brad, and Isaiah kick things off on the hardwood with Colton Growden West Valley Boys Basketball Head Coach breaking down a thrilling overtime comeback and an unforgettable Alaska Prep Shootout run. Down 12 points? No problem. Colton shared how confidence, tough scheduling, and hot second-half shooting fueled West Valley’s championship win over Barrow. The crew dug into defensive adjustments, momentum swings, and why this year’s team is built to make runs with a five-guard system and versatile bigs who can handle and shoot. From there, the conversation expanded to early-season Alaska high school hoops storylines — including North Pole’s strong start, East Anchorage’s statement win, and the buzz around standout players like Jaden Miranda and the Clarkson brothers. A major theme throughout: the new 35-second shot clock. Once a question mark, it’s quickly becoming a game-changer, forcing smarter basketball, faster tempo, and tougher coaching decisions late in quarters. On the tournament front, excitement is building for the Alaska Airlines Classic Jan. 20-24, with anticipation around out-of-state competition, packed gyms, and games streaming statewide. Plenty of nostalgia too, as past tournament memories and student-section energy made their way into the discussion. College Hoops Check-In: Both UAA programs are rolling at home. The men are off to a strong start behind local talent, while the women — under new leadership — are showing major growth with dominant performances and key road tests ahead. Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: