ALASKA SPORTS TALK
NEW EPISODE! 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
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 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:
SEASON 3, EPISODE 23
Isaiah and Brad are back with another jam-packed episode! The show tips off with some Seahawks talk before diving headfirst into Alaska high school basketball, including highlights from the Mountain City Christian Invitational and the Mount McKinley Classic in Fairbanks. Brad shares firsthand observations from Mountain City, noting how much smaller-school divisions continue to improve and how competitive these tournaments have become. There’s also a quick look at key regular-season matchups and how early results are shaping expectations. From there, the guys spotlight Alaska athletes making noise at the college level, celebrating strong performances from Layla, Sophie, Morgan, and others competing across the country. They talk about how size, skill, and opportunity are coming together for Alaska players. A major focus of the episode is a full Alaska Prep Shootout preview, coming January 8–10 at Diamond High School. Isaiah breaks down the schedule, the eight-team field, and the history of the tournament dating back to the mid-90s. Brad and Isaiah discuss favorites, dark horses, potential semifinal matchups, and how limited cross-matchups this season make predictions even more fun (and tricky). They also share excitement about covering games live and how technology has completely changed scouting and coverage over the past decade.The episode wraps with a strong weekend recap for UAA and UAF men’s basketball, both teams picking up impressive wins and showing why Alaska college hoops is in a great place right now. As always, the conversation closes on a thoughtful note—highlighting school spirit, community support, family, and the importance of taking care of one another. Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pC5VI1rLe6M
SEASON 3, EPISODE 22
Isaiah, Brad, and special guest Mountain City Christian Academy Girls Basketball Head Coach Lonnie Ridgeway, dive into a full preview of the Mountain City Tournament, tipping off New Year’s Day and running through Saturday. With varsity and JV teams, packed gyms during the holiday break, and matchups that bring communities together, this tournament has become a must-watch on the Alaska hoops calendar. Lonnie recalls last year’s thriller against Barrow that came down to the final shot! Beyond the brackets, the conversation turns thoughtful as the group tackles player development in Alaska. Lonnie and Isaiah discuss the rise of individual skill training and the downside of losing team concepts, situational awareness, and real practice time. The episode also highlights the importance of strong coaching programs, from junior high through varsity, with shoutouts to coaches who truly study the game and build long-term systems—not just rely on playing experience. Chuck Martin, Jason Berger, and others get nods for doing it the right way. The show wraps with where to find Mountain City brackets and schedules on social media, some classic tournament road-trip memories from Ketchikan and Juneau, a quick look ahead at upcoming University of Alaska Anchorage conference games, and a friendly reminder to celebrate New Year’s safely. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9gnEcmypV_A