The brackets are officially out, and the excitement around Alaska high school basketball is heating up! Isaiah, Keaton, Brad, and special guest, friend of the show, Nick Sorrell from Radio Kenai and "The Replay" break down the newly released 2026 ASAA March Madness Alaska Basketball State Tournament brackets, diving into the biggest storylines, top contenders, and potential Cinderella runs across all four classifications.

🏀 1A & 2A Brackets Breakdown

The show kicks off with a deep dive into the 1A and 2A girls and boys brackets, where the hosts highlight teams to watch and potential upset opportunities. Brad brings his firsthand perspective from coaching in 1A basketball, explaining the unique style and intensity that makes the classification so unpredictable.

One of the biggest storylines comes from Seward girls basketball, who enter the tournament with an incredible 54-game winning streak and sights set on extending it even further. Nick predicts the Seahawks could dominate the 2A girls tournament, while the group also reflects on the challenges smaller-school athletes face when it comes to statewide recognition.

The conversation also highlights Ava Jigilski’s remarkable quadruple-doubles and the standout play of Danil Chick, whose talent has the group discussing potential college opportunities and how better exposure and public relations could help 2A athletes gain more attention.

🏀 3A Tournament Storylines

The discussion then shifts to the 3A brackets, where the competition looks especially deep.

On the girls side, the Barrow Whalers enter as the top seed after an impressive season, including a statement win over Monroe. Meanwhile, the Kenai Cardinals are gaining attention thanks to a talented young core that could make noise in the tournament.

The 3A boys bracket might be the most unpredictable of them all. With teams like Mt. Edgecumbe, Valdez, Barrow, and Kenai all capable of making a run, the group agrees that nearly any team in the field could have been the top seed. Players like Alex Frewen of Barrow are highlighted as impact performers to watch when the tournament tips off March 18.

🏀 4A Tournament Preview

The hosts also preview the 4A state tournaments, spotlighting several standout athletes and programs expected to make headlines in Anchorage. Among those mentioned are Kennedy Gaines of Bartlett and standout players from Grace Christian, including Bristol Tobin and the Clarkson brothers.

🎙️ More Alaska Hoops News

The show also touches on UAA men’s basketball earning a spot in the West Region Tournament, adding even more excitement to the Alaska basketball scene this March. They play this week!

Watch this episode on AST YouTube: https://youtu.be/iY_gSks3oII

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Sunday, March 8: the AST March Madness Alaska Bracket Show will review all the ASAA Basketball State Tournament brackets, review seeding, RPI berths, and much more!

Monday, March 9: AST will release a show featuring coaches, and other local experts to talk all things March Madness Alaska!

Watch this announcement on AST YouTube: https://youtu.be/aruYlhf3hbs

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Like & Subscribe to our YouTube page (@AlaskaSportsTalk) for video clips of the show! Also Like and Follow our Facebook and Instagram to see everything with Alaska Sports!

It’s officially tournament time in Alaska, and this episode was packed wall-to-wall with playoff energy. Isaiah and Brad kicked things off with the CIC Semifinals and Championship plans, reminding everyone that the games will be streamed LIVE on the NFHS Network starting at 3 PM on Friday. They also teased a Sunday show breaking down the full state brackets once released by Alaska School Activities Association. (Time TBD — stay tuned!) Yes, the NFHS referral program is real — and yes, it’s worth checking out.

🏒 Wolverines Heating Up

The playoff push is alive and well for the Anchorage Wolverines, who are coming off a huge weekend sweep of the Chippewa Steel. The momentum is building at exactly the right time — and the postseason picture is getting clearer.

🏀 College Basketball Drama in Alaska

On the hardwood, both Alaska Nanooks and Alaska Anchorage Seawolves are right in the middle of tournament conversations. UAF battled through a tough season but found their way into tournament play. Meanwhile, UAA’s Senior Night carried extra emotion as longtime head coach Rusty Osborne coached his final home game. A dramatic last-second shot initially looked like a buzzer-beating three, only to be reviewed and ruled a two — a moment that perfectly captured the intensity of this season. They also gave love to the UAA women’s squad and standout Elena Mack from King Cove, whose impact continues to show up in big moments.

🏀 High School Brackets Are Loaded

The high school scene is as balanced — and unpredictable — as we’ve seen in years.

• CIC, NLC, South-central tournament brackets (boys & girls)
• Conference Standings
• Tight RPI rankings for the 3A and 4A Boys and Girls
• The possibility of at-large berths shaking things up

In 3A, teams like Grace, Kenai, and Mount Edgecumbe are in the spotlight, while Barrow and Nome are eyeing top-seed opportunities. Coaching changes and enrollment shifts are also subtly reshaping competitive balance across conferences. Yes — the Northern Lights Conference bracket is stacked!

🔥 Rivalries & The Grind

They also talked about the emotional toll of back-to-back-to-back tournament weekends and the fierce rivalries that define Alaska basketball. Every possession matters. Every seeding matters. Every RPI point matters.

With the CIC tournament tipping off and state around the corner, the guys encouraged everyone to tune in on the NFHS Network — whether you’re at work, at home, or sneaking games on your second monitor.

🎧 Catch the CIC games live. 📊 Watch those brackets closely. 🏀 And buckle up — March is here.

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SfPRHo4olb4

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