Cronk goes Division I

WASILLA -- For the second time in as many years a Wasilla basketball player is going Division I.

Chandice Cronk, a senior with the Wasilla girls' basketball team, signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Santa Clara University women's hoops squad.

Last November Ray Schafer of the Warrior boys' team signed with the University of Oregon and now is playing for the Ducks.

"In the nine years since I have been here, this is the first Division I signing (for the girls' team)," Wasilla head coach Jeanie Hebert-Truax said. "This is huge, not just for Chandice, but the Wasilla basketball team."

Cronk's inking of the letter of intent in the early signing period ensures that the Wasilla standout's college choice is made before the Warriors take the court in December.

"It is definitely good to get it out of the way," Cronk said. "Now I can go out there and do what I got to do. It hasn't hit me yet. I don't think it will until after basketball season."

"It is pretty important from a coaching aspect," Hebert-Truax said. "Now she can relax and go out and do her thing."

Cronk had ample choices, before making her decision to go to the California school. Numerous programs on every level were vying for Cronk's services. Five schools offered Cronk a full scholarship. Division I programs Providence, Creighton, California-Irvine and Santa Clara, as well as Division II Alaska Anchorage each offered Cronk a full ride.

Cronk said that several factors led to her decision to attend Santa Clara.

"Out of a lot of schools (Santa Clara) was a lot closer," Cronk said. "My family can come and see me, we have a lot of games in Washington."

Cronk added that the atmosphere of the campus and university as well as the Bronco coaching staff were added incentives to attend Santa Clara.

The scouting of Cronk began last season at the 4A state tournament, with programs such as Cal-Irvine in attendance, but the majority of the recruiting process came during the summer months.

Cronk got much of her exposure while playing for an Anchorage-based girls' traveling team, the Alaska Blue Angels. While playing for the Blue Angels, Cronk traveled outside Alaska to play in two major national tournaments, the Oregon Trail Tournament and the Nike Cup in Chicago.

Cronk attributes the Division I schools' interest in her to the opportunity to travel and play with the Blue Angels.

"It is huge, if it were not for that I would not ever have the opportunity," Cronk said.

Cronk is expected to play shooting guard for the Broncos. Santa Clara head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson is in her second year with the Broncos, so Cronk is part of Bento-Jackson's second recruiting class.

"It is good for me," Cronk said. "(Bento-Jackson) is starting to get the players she wants."

Hebert-Truax believes that Cronk has the ability to succeed on the next level.

"My one main concern was she shoots a bit low," Hebert-Truax said. "I don't think anyone is quick enough to get her. She has such a quick release."

Hebert-Truax added that the one improvement Cronk will need to make is developing more of a middle game.

Cronk is a senior with the Warriors and will take the court for her third season at Wasilla in December. Cronk transferred from Northway after her freshman year.

During her high school career, Cronk has been an all-state and all-region selection and led her team to a spot in the state finals the last two seasons.