West Valley's Jayden Miranda Wins Gatorade Award

0:00It's March 22nd, you're listening to Anchorage News today, AI-powered local news. Junior Jaden Miranda from West Valley High School earned the Gatorade Alaska Boys basketball Player of the Year award on Friday. The junior guard led his team to a mid-Alaska conference title and the top seed at the 2026 ASAA for a state tournament. He guided the Wolfpack to a 22-in-4 record during the season. After the average 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game through 23 contests. He shot over 50 percent from the floor, and nearly 40 percent from 3 point range. Miranda felt thrilled when his coach broke the news, calling it a big goal achieved. North Pole head coach Travis Church praised him as the top player in 4A division, noting his strong character on and off the court. He's only the second player from West Valley to win this honor. The first was Stewart Earhart, who took it home and back-to-back years from 2022 to 2023. Miranda holds a 3.36-grade point average and gives back through food bank volunteering,

1:05youth coaching, and local art and cooking. Pursuits. Though the top seeded Wolfpack fell 59-52 against 5th seeded South Anchorage in the semi-finals, Miranda's standout season sets A. High bar for Alaska Hoops moving forward.