Colony standout, reigning 4A girls player of the year, signs to play basketball at Division II Colorado Mesa

As one of the top girls basketball players in Alaska, Hallie Clark had no shortage of options for the next step in her academic and playing career. The Colony High School senior standout and reigning 4A girls player of the year was courted by programs throughout the country.

“I was blessed with the opportunity to talk to a ton of different colleges. All of those relationships are super valuable to me. I was able to go on a lot of different visits,” Clark said. “It was kind of cool to see how God kind of closed some doors and opened some doors.”

Clark crossed through the open door she thought was best for that next step. And that is leading her to Grand Junction, Colorado, and Colorado Mesa University.

Surrounded by friends and family, Clark signed her National Letter of Intent to play women’s basketball for the Division II Mavericks Thursday afternoon during a ceremony at Colony High School.

“I can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life,” Clark said.

Clark connected with the program and the Mesa coaching staff through the offseason competitive travel program she plays on, and visited the western Colorado school with her mom in August.

“I loved it. It checked all of the boxes,” Clark said. “The moment I knew is when I got to play with the girls. They felt like my type of people.”

Clark said the coaching staff, future teammates and community all fit what she was looking for. Plus, she said the Division II level felt right.

“I really like the level of DII because I know I’m going to be able to make an impact,” Clark, a 5-foot-7 scoring point guard, said. “I’ve always wanted to go somewhere I’d be able to play and get pushed. I really do love that level.”

Clark said Mesa’s point guard is graduating after the 2024-25 season, and the Mavericks coaching staff is looking for a point guard who can score.

“They’re looking for me to fill that role. I’ve got a lot of work to do, but I’m super excited,” Clark said.

Throughout her high school career, playing for one of the top girls basketball programs in the state, Clark has shown that she can score. Clark averaged 21.4 points as a junior, while adding 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Clark, the 2024 Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Girls Player of the Year who was also named first-team all-state for the third straight year as a junior, has already passed 1,500 career points.

“Hallie is a one-of-a-kind player any coach is proud to have,” Chandice Kelly said after Clark earned the player of the year honor last spring . “She wants to be the best. I think everyone across the state recognizes that. The kid puts in the work.”

Kelly coached Clark during her first three years at Colony.

“The time she puts in. That’s what distinguishes her from other players,” Kelly said in March.

And Clark is ready to continue to put in that work, with achievements in her sights.

“At the DII level as well, there’s a chance to win a national championship. My ultimate goal is to be an All-American,” Clark said.

Mesa head coach Taylor Wagner has led the Mavericks to the NCAA Division II women’s tournament six times in his 11 years with the program, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2013 and the Sweet Sixteen the following year. Wagoner’s Mavericks have also won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title four times, including back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.

Clark has spent the majority of her life on the basketball court, starting in the first grade.

“I started getting serious about it in the seventh grade. Ever since then I was dedicated to it,” Clark said.

By inking her official intent in November, Clark’s decision is made before the start of her senior season. Clark and the Knights were the 4A girls runner-up last spring, and are expected to be in the mix for title contention again in 2025.

“I always knew I wanted to,” Clark said of signing before the start of her senior season. “Just so I can focus. We’ve got huge goals this season. It’s a huge load lifted off my shoulders.”

Clark, a 4.0 student, plans to study business and psychology.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.