December 18, 2025, by the Seward Folly Staff
If there was something unforgettable about the Seward High School girls basketball season last year, it was the team’s clinching of the State 2A Championship. With much of that core group returning, the Seahawks enter the new season with confidence, and they know that every successful run starts with basics. Another title would certainly be sweet, but this group isn’t skipping any steps.
“It would be a ‘cherry on top,’” says Coach Curtis Berry, “but first we must build the cake.”
For this team, that means stacking solid ingredients, mixing plenty of hard work, and leaning on layers of experience.
Four players from last year’s championship squad are back on the varsity roster, with just two graduates moving on. Although the team is small this year, what they lack in numbers, they make up for in confidence and grit. Co-captains Ava Jagielski and Mikinley Williams head up a roster rounded out by Lia Shank, Grace Fleming, Sevin Phillips, Regan Seibert, and Pamela Hillestad. Hillestad splits time between varsity and junior varsity.
Back row, left to right: Sevin Phillips, Mikinley Williams, Grace Fleming, Lia Shank
Front row, left to right: Ava Jagielski, Pamela Hillestad, Regan Seibert
JV brings its own flavor, with Olive Jordan (not pictured), Ryah Thrall, Eva Johnson, Amara Ransom, Ava Gunter, and Crystal Maddox comprising the squad. With only one freshman and two sophomores total, youth is scarce, but energy isn’t.
Back row, left to right: Pamela Hillestad, Ava Gunter, Eva Johnson Middle row: Crystal Maddox, Amara Ransom
Front: Ryah Thrall
Berry is back for his eighteenth season at the helm, Grace Williams reunites as assistant varsity coach and JV head coach, and volunteer coach Demitra Apergis lends her expertise and physical therapy know-how, an invaluable asset as player numbers decrease.
“When the school had 200 students, we’d see 25 or 30 girls come out for basketball, enough for varsity, JV, and C teams,” Berry explains. “Now, with 120 students, we’re down to thirteen, which is just enough for two teams.”
Even so, the Seahawks’ biggest injury struggles have been limited to bruises and sore muscles.
For Coach Berry, the secret recipe hasn’t changed: “The defense needs to be as strong as it can. Back to the cake analogy; everyone is an ingredient, and they need to work together.”
He credits last year’s success to that blend of confidence and collective effort. “Offense is more skill-driven, but you need trust on defense. Last year, the girls really bought into that idea. Four leaders from that run, Mikinley, Ava, Lia, and Grace, are back, and we’re excited for Regan and Sevin to step up and fill the fifth spot as needed.”
Senior co-captain and point guard Ava Jagielski is the floor general, calling plays and serving as the bridge between coach and teammates. She’s competitive to the core and has basketball in her blood: the whole family plays, and her mom was a club ball coach.
“I’m always after the ball and love the tension of the game,” she says.
Forward and fellow co-captain Mikinley Williams is a force inside, collecting rebounds, driving the lane, and finding those easy shots the Seahawks love.
“We prefer getting the easiest shot possible, like layups,” she says.
Her mid-range jumper is another weapon, and she doubles as a key communicator between coach and squad.
JV isn’t just the farm team this year; it’s a competitive bunch. Coach Williams notes they only dropped two games last season and have a strong group of returners. “JV is about playing a lot, and with our small numbers, they’ll get plenty of action. We use the same recipe as varsity, with defense and teammanship being the priority. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
“This group is full of fun and a hoot to coach,” Berry says. “We’re grateful for parents, grateful for the community, and excited to see these girls come out of the shadows. We hope to fill the gym, and it should be exciting every game. It’s a contagious atmosphere.”
For the Seahawks, the title is the cherry. For now, the team’s busy mixing, baking, and trusting that if every ingredient comes together, they’ll have another season as sweet as the last.
BASKETBALL 2025-26 Competition Schedule
| Day | Date | Opponent/Tournament | Place | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | December 3, 2025 | First Day of Practice | — | — |
| Thursday | December 18, 2025 | Kenai (Boys/Girls) | Kenai | TBA |
| Friday | December 19, 2025 | Kenai (JV Games @ SoHi) | SoHi | TBA |
| Saturday | December 20, 2025 | Kenai (Boys/Girls) | Kenai | TBA |
| Friday | January 2, 2026 | Open (Possible Lumen/Ninilchik) | — | — |
| Saturday | January 3, 2026 | Open (Possible Lumen/Ninilchik) | — | — |
| Friday | January 9, 2026 | Redington | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Friday | January 16, 2026 | Houston | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Tuesday | January 20, 2026 | Ninilchik | Seward | 6:00 PM |
| Friday | January 23, 2026 | Nikiski | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | January 24, 2026 | Su Valley | Seward | 11:00 AM |
| Thursday | January 29, 2026 | Seahawk Classic | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Friday | January 30, 2026 | Seahawk Classic | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | January 31, 2026 | Seahawk Classic | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Friday | February 6, 2026 | Open | — | — |
| Saturday | February 7, 2026 | Open | — | — |
| Sunday | February 8, 2026 | Open | — | — |
| Tuesday | February 10, 2026 | Homer | Seward | 3:00 PM |
| Thursday | February 12, 2026 | Valdez Tourney | Valdez | 3:00 PM |
| Friday | February 13, 2026 | Valdez Tourney | Valdez | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | February 14, 2026 | Valdez Tourney | Valdez | 3:00 PM |
| Friday | February 20, 2026 | Su Valley | Su Valley | TBA |
| Saturday | February 21, 2026 | Lumen | Anchorage | TBA |
| Thursday | February 26, 2026 | Nikiski | Nikiski | TBA |
| Friday | February 27, 2026 | Homer | Homer | TBA |
| Saturday | February 28, 2026 | Ninilchik | Ninilchik | TBA |
| Thursday | March 5, 2026 | Region Tournament | Ninilchik | (Homer) |
| Friday | March 6, 2026 | Region Tournament | Ninilchik | (Homer) |
| Saturday | March 7, 2026 | Region Tournament | Ninilchik | (Homer) |
| Wednesday | March 11, 2026 | State Tournament | UAA CTR | TBA |
| Thursday | March 12, 2026 | State Tournament | UAA CTR | TBA |
| Friday | March 13, 2026 | State Tournament | UAA CTR | TBA |
| Saturday | March 14, 2026 | State Tournament | UAA CTR | TBA |
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