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, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends competition, community, and the heart behind coaching.

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 Muehlenkamp 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 group reflects on coaching philosophies, learning through collaboration, and how growth often happens behind the scenes long before it shows up on the scoreboard.

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—and a big weekend series looming for the Anchorage Wolverines against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tq71hkkSPRg

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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!

The discussion takes a heartfelt turn as the crew reflects on the tragic loss of Coach Ostanik’s son, Win, and the emotional response that followed — including an inspired rivalry win that honored his memory.

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!

The show wraps with a nod to Alaska’s sports fans, highlighting strong crowds at recent basketball and hockey games,

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p4vReXNCFBk

Please Like & Subscribe to the Alaska Sports Talk podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and more! Like & Subscribe to our YouTube page (@AlaskaSportsTalk) for video clips of the show!

Like and Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages plus visit AlaskaSportsTalk.com to see where you can listen to past and future podcasts!

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.

🏒 High School Hockey Update: South is the surprise of the season with an undefeated run, West is right there, and postseason hockey is right around the corner as the state tournament approaches.

🏈 NFL & Storytime: The Seahawks chatter heated up with playoff implications, Brandon Pili’s journey to Seattle, and sharp analysis of matchups against the 49ers. Josh Reed capped things off with a behind-the-scenes look at his beloved “Rewind” segment — a reminder of the grind, passion, and storytelling that keeps Alaska sports fans informed and connected.

🔥 From buzzer-beaters to blue lines, shot clocks to Seahawks — this episode had it all. A must-listen for anyone who loves Alaska sports at every level.

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_w_dzhkScl0

Please Like & Subscribe to the Alaska Sports Talk podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and more! Like & Subscribe to our YouTube page (@AlaskaSportsTalk) for video clips of the show!

Like and Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages plus visit AlaskaSportsTalk.com to see where you can listen to past and future podcasts!