Sand Point Basketball Team Honors Teammate Lost in Tragic Canoeing Accident

The Sand Point girls basketball team competed in the Class 1A Alaska high school state tournament this week, playing with heavy hearts and a renewed sense of purpose following the death of classmate Kaipo Kaminanga, 15, who drowned in a canoeing accident two weeks prior to the tournament. Despite the emotional toll, the team achieved a remarkable victory, reaching the regional finals for the first time in nearly 30 years.

A Community Mourns

Kaipo Kaminanga was last seen canoeing with three other boys on Red Cove Lake on February 26, 2026. Divers recovered his body three days later, on February 29, 2026, after a search effort involving local volunteers and a dive team from Anchorage. The incident deeply impacted the tiny community of Sand Point, with around 800 residents.

Playing for Kai

Kaipo’s sister, Precious Kaminanga, 17, a junior on the Sand Point basketball team, shared how the team rallied around each other in the wake of the tragedy. “We cried as a team, but we played as a team too,” Precious said during the state tournament, held at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.

Precious explained that the team initially struggled to focus after her brother’s death on February 23, 2026, but found strength in playing for him. “We played some hard games, we weren’t mentally ready, but we went into our games and we were all playing for Kai… and then we made it,” she said. The team upset higher-seeded opponents to win first place at regionals.

Basketball as a Distraction and a Tribute

Precious found solace in basketball during a challenging time. “I don’t think I’ve processed it yet, given that we had regionals, then we had practice for state, and then we’re here at state,” she said. “Basketball’s been kind of a distraction.” She fondly remembered her brother’s enthusiasm for the game and how he would playfully tease her during games. “He’d always make fun of me, like if I missed a shot… so like, in the game, I’d just be like, aw shoot, Kai would say something,” she recalled. “He would [have been here], he was planning to approach out here.”

Community Support

The Sand Point and King Cove communities demonstrated strong support for the team, with many traveling to Anchorage to cheer them on despite the significant cost. Community member Ingrid Carlson highlighted the dedication of the community, stating, “This is what we do, we show up, and we support.”

A Difficult Loss

Precious described her brother as funny, kind, and supportive, always encouraging his teammates during games. The community is mourning the loss of Kaipo Kaminanga, who was remembered as a popular student and a talented basketball player. Services for Kaipo Kaminanga are expected to be held in Hawaii later this month.