Friend of the pod Matt Nevala, from the Alaska Sports Report, joins Keaton Homer and Brad Lauwers (who hopefully has got his car out of a snowbank by now) to talk sports! Obviosuly high school hockey and college hockey. But, also Matt's thoughts on the future of Anchorage School District sports and where things could be heading. Also get a brief UAA basketball update as well on this episode of Alaska Sports Talk!

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

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!

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

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!