TRAGIC REPORT: Alaska Boys 4A Roundnall Roundup Team involved in Devastating Bus Accident On their way Back to……

TRAGIC REPORT: Alaska Boys 4A Roundball Roundup Team Involved in Devastating Bus Accident on Their Way Back to Anchorage

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a bus carrying the Alaska Boys 4A Roundball Roundup basketball team was involved in a severe accident late Tuesday night while returning home to Anchorage. The tragic incident occurred on the icy stretch of the Glenn Highway, just outside of Palmer, sending shockwaves throughout the tight-knit Alaska sports community and beyond.

The team had just wrapped up an intense but spirited weekend at the annual 4A Roundball Roundup tournament held in Fairbanks—a marquee event in the state’s high school basketball calendar. Spirits were high following the team’s impressive performance, and the boys, many of them seniors, were looking forward to celebrating their achievements back home with family and friends.

According to Alaska State Troopers, the accident happened around 10:45 p.m. when the chartered bus carrying the team encountered black ice, causing the driver to lose control. The bus veered off the road and rolled into a snow-filled ditch, sustaining extensive damage. Emergency responders from nearby communities were dispatched immediately, working in freezing conditions to extract students and staff from the wreckage.

Tragically, the accident claimed the lives of two students and the team’s assistant coach. Several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals in Anchorage and Wasilla. As of Wednesday morning, three students remain in critical condition, while others are being treated for fractures and concussions.

Parents, school officials, and community members have gathered in anguish at Anchorage High School, where counselors and crisis response teams are on hand to support students and staff grappling with the sudden loss. Vigils have already begun forming in front of the school gym, with candles, flowers, and heartfelt messages flooding the area.

Governor Lisa Dunleavy issued a statement early Wednesday, expressing her deepest condolences to the families affected and pledging full state support for the investigation and recovery efforts. “This is a loss that touches every Alaskan,” she said. “We mourn the bright futures cut short and stand with the families in their unimaginable grief.”

The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA), which organizes the Roundball Roundup, also released a statement, calling the incident “an unspeakable tragedy” and honoring the team’s strength, spirit, and dedication to the sport.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though early reports point to hazardous road conditions due to recent snow and freezing rain. Transportation authorities have issued renewed warnings to all travelers to exercise extreme caution during this week’s severe weather.

As the community comes to terms with this devastating event, tributes and messages of support have poured in from across the country. High school teams from other states have taken to social media to share condolences and to dedicate upcoming games in honor of the fallen players.

Plans for a memorial service are underway, and the Anchorage School District has announced that all schools will observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims. As the state mourns, one thing remains clear: the legacy of these young athletes and their enduring impact on the community will never be forgotten.