dude i like how you state confident'y that she "obviously" didn't dunk, then procede to state facts that entirely leave the door open to the story being true. first off, the claim was basically that she 'amost' dunked ( grabbed the rim on a lay-up). So you state a 38" vertical is needed for that. Well, there have been female volleyball players in that range. So, unlikely, but possible. Next, consider that this was done in the hinterland of Alaska, I bet you money that are some non- regulation hoops up there, probably left over hand me downs from the ww2 build up, etc. So I imagine there's some hoops 10"2 some 9"10....Alaska's not the place that has up-to date regulation equipment in every rural high school.
Then you have to factor in that some of the small school gyms proably have that springy rubber floor that you see in middle schools etc. Not only does it lend an inch or or to a vertical, the more important thing is that in the case of remodeling old schools IT IS POURED OVER AN EXISTING FLOOR, and I guarantee you they don't go back and adjust the hoops every time. so that thicker floor effectively lowers the rim an inch or 2 as well.
So can she dunk on a 10' hoop....yeah unlikely
did she maybe get her hand on the rim in some po' dunk 9'9" middle school rim......we'll you have to admit it's possible.
you never would have believed she was going to win the steeple either....