Jackson makes history as first woman player in Gold Medal tournament’s Hall of Fame

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“I came down here, I saw it, I lived it, I was a part of it, watched everything that happened and now I’m just here to be in the moment,” Fraker said as fans cheered and surrounded her. “Now I want to make that possible for all our youth.”

Fraker’s daughters played at the adjacent youth basketball tournament during Gold Medal.

Kids sleep over every weekend and play ball in the Fraker yard country wise email marketing list and the street in front of the house.

“We have a hoop in my driveway and the kids from all over the community come and they shoot at that same old hoop and they ball out,” Fraker said. “They love it. So as long as they want it we’re going to make sure they have it. I don’t care how far I have to go, I don’t care who I have to ask for money or who is going to support it, I don’t care, I’m going to do it. For my kids and their friends, they are all my kids at this point.”

If all goes well Yakutat can field a co-ed team that includes eighth graders next season.Klawock’s Jean Jackson made history on March 29 at the 2025 Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, becoming the first woman inducted into the tournament’s Hall of Fame.

“I’m so honored,” Jackson said when receiving the award. “I feel so completely honored. I’m speechless.”

Jackson’s basketball journey was noted in high school when she led Klawock to four straight region titles (1986-1989) and was an all-conference selection each year. As a freshman she led Klawock to a state runner-up finish and then followed that with three straight state championships.

“Being part of basketball from a young age and coaching girls basketball from third grade up to 12th grade I do realize that you have got to be involved and you have got to get kids out there,” Jackson said. “I hope this is inspiring for some of these little ones.”

After graduating college Jackson returned to coach the Klawock girls (1993-2001) and won seven consecutive region championships, contributing to the town’s run of 14 titles in 15 years (1984-1999). She coached the 1A Chieftains to a state runner-up finish in 1994, fourth place in 1995, a state title in 1996, fourth place in 1997. She then led them to a runner-up finish at the 2A level in 1998 and a state title in 2A in 1999 and she was selected the coach of the year in the state.