The 2019 Dick Hotch Memorial Basketball Tournament was held last weekend in Haines. Four men’s teams and two women’s teams competed. Women’s All-Tournament team included Shawna Hotch, Sam Clay, Lynzee Wortman, Keely Baumgartner, Karlie Spud, Taylor Helland and Sarah Bell. Best Defense Player was Liz Segars, Sportsmanship Award went to Krista Kielsmeier and Most Valuable Player was Fran Daly. Men’s All-Tournament Team included Cody Hotch, Andrew Friske, Jesse McGraw, George Hayhton-Bynum, Brian Koenig of Hoonah, Dylan Swinton, Kyle Fossman, Treston Laufferty of Hoonah, George Carteei of Hoonah, and Gary Smith of Sitka. Best Defense Player was Jordan Baumgartner, Sportsmanship Award went to Arthur Campbell of Hoonah and Most Valuable Player was Tyler Swinton. On Sunday morning the free-throw and three-point competitions were held. Uniquea Clark of Metlakatla and Steve Fossman won the three-point competition. Spencer Baumgartner, Addy Prisciandaro, Bear Scott, Brooklyn DeWitt and Luke Davis won the kids free-throw competition in their corresponding age classes. The Haines Merchants men’s team finished first with a strong win over the Klukwan Chilkats on Sunday afternoon.
Klukwan School raised almost $800 at its concession fundraiser at the Dick Hotch Memorial Basketball Tournament last weekend. “The goal for Klukwan was to assure that we have enough funding for the playground is to fundraise at least $1,500 more dollars. We would love donations for the playground,” said Klukwan teacher Jennifer Marschke. The school will also be doing a community build in May with Jim Stanford as the foreman and are looking for volunteers.
Haines graduate and Sitka resident Andrew Friske and his children Gracelynn and Jacob visited last weekend along with Sitka friend Gary Smith. Gary flew Andrew and his kids up on his private plane and enjoyed the sunny hour-and-a-half flight from Sitka. While here Andrew and Gary played in the Dick Hotch Memorial Basketball Tournament; Jacob helped announce the Glacier Bear’s home games against Metlakatla with Lyle Huff, and Gracelynn caught up with friend Caroline Elliott before the flight back home.
Corrie and Daniel Stickler are home from a sunny vacation in Mexico with their two sons Olen and Aksel. The family traveled to Isla Holbox, where they enjoyed the white sand beaches and fresh fruit, the hotel’s pet raccoon, Mia, and daily trips to the gelato shop in town. Highlights included the over-water hammocks, island sunsets, hunting for seashells, and long beach walks. “We ended our vacation at Azul Beach Resort near Puerto Morelos where we had a private breakfast with the ninja turtles and spent our days poolside soaking up the sun and playing in the water,” said Corrie.
Teri Bastable-Podsiki has returned from a several week holiday adventure. She first visited Tucson to see her brother Rick Witt and his wife Margie and had dinner with Teresa and Larry Hura. Highlights of Arizona were visiting the Kartcher Caverns and going on a hot-air balloon ride. She then traveled to Chicago and surrounding areas to catch up with family including her mother Andy Witt, sister Lyn Orris and nephew Kevin Orris. Finally, Teri went to Kona, Hawaii. She enjoyed visiting art galleries and seeing firsthand the effects of the 2018 volcano eruptions. “I enjoyed snorkeling and day trips around the island. I also golfed and had dinner with Hugh Rietze and Jill Stray-Atlas.” Teri said.
Haines Dolphins Swim Team members are seeking pledges for their spring swim-a-thon. The annual kick-off party was held last Friday at the Haines School cafeteria. Board member Kat Lee said this is the team’s biggest fundraiser and it helps pay for coaches, new equipment and pool rental. The swim-a-thon will take place Saturday, March 30 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Haines Pool.