Colony senior realizes longtime goal

PALMER — Mary Klapperich had been there before.

Friends, teammates, coaches and family members gathered in the Colony High School library — a cake off to the side — and the black and green blanket with the Knights logo stretched over a table with the National Letter of Intent ready to be signed.

She watched her oldest sister, Kristina, officially commit to Central Washington University to play women’s college basketball nearly a decade ago. Two years ago, Mary watched older sister Kaitlyn ink her intent.

But Nov. 21 was Mary’s day.

In the same school library where she saw both of her older sisters realize their college dreams, Mary Klapperich’s own dream became a reality. Klapperich, a Colony High senior, signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Southern Utah University and play basketball for the Division I Thunderbirds.

“I’m really excited. I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a really long time,” Klapperich said recently.

Klapperich, a three-year starter for the Knights girls basketball program and first-team all-state selection as a junior, was contacted by Southern Utah — a school in Ceder City, Utah — about six months ago, she said. The Thunderbirds quickly moved to the top of a list of potential schools, including Sacramento State, San Jose State and Boise State.

“I went and visited this fall, and I absolutely fell in love,” Klapperich said. “I know it’s cliché, but I said, ‘this is it.’ I loved the team, coaches, facility. It’s perfect. I really hope it works out.”

Next fall, Klapperich will join a Thunderbirds team that currently features only one senior and a half-dozen juniors on the 2012-13 roster.

The opportunity to play early in her career was among the reasons Klapperich decided on Southern Utah.

“Hopefully I’ll see a lot of minutes soon,” Klapperich said. “It’s also more fun when you’re playing.”

Klapperich was recruited as a shooting guard, she said, but at 6-foot-1, Klapperich can also be used inside. It’s a role she’s is used to. At Colony, the Knights have taken advantage of Klapperich’s versatility, using her in the paint and on the perimeter. Klapperich said she likes playing in both areas of the court.

“I have to say I love shooting the ball and driving to the rim, but I like getting inside,” Klapperich said. “I don’t think I prefer one or the other, I like to mix it up.”

Klapperich has been a standout for the Knights throughout her time at Colony High, but also credited her experience playing with organizations such as Alaska Lady Hoops and Team Alaska during the offseason. With these teams, Klapperich had the chance to play in tournaments outside the state, see top competition and have the chance to be seen.

“Being from Alaska, it’s really hard to get that exposure,” Klapperich said. “You definitely have to be proactive, get your name out there.”

Klapperich also credited the coaches she has worked with throughout her career. She praised the impact of travel team coaches such as Greg Ray and Don Witzel, and the head coaches who have guided her Colony High teams during her time with the Knights, Tom Lincoln and Jeff Bowker.

“They have definitely made me who I am,” Klapperich said. “I probably wouldn’t be who I am without them.”

Klapperich said her older sisters, Kristina and Kaitlyn, also played a huge role in her growth as a player and person.

“I learned everything it takes to be a basketball player from them,” Klapperich said. “How to prepare, eat right, the patience it takes, the passion it takes.”

Kristina Klapperich played for four years at Division II Central Washington. Kaitlyn is now at Central Methodist in Missouri after starting her college career at Regis University in Colorado.

Klapperich, who plans on studying engineering at Southern Utah, also had success on the volleyball court during her high school career. At one point, she actually considered trying to play volleyball at the next level.

“Up until last year I was almost 100 percent sure I was going to play volleyball,” Klapperich said. “But I got to the point, I woke up one day and couldn’t imagine not playing basketball. That’s where my heart is.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and find him by searching Valley Sports Huddle on Facebook.