Cronk named player of year

Chandice Cronk averaged more than 20 points per game, scored 48 points in a win over Colony, led her team to its third straight region title and its third straight top-three finish in the state.

Cronk has been described as the best in girls' basketball player in the state of Alaska throughout the 2003-04 season, now she officially is. The Wasilla senior was named the 4A girls' Anchorage Daily News/Alaska Media player of the year.

Cronk also received first-team all-state honors for the second straight season. Joining the future Santa Clara Bronco on the list is Colony standout Kristina Klapperich.

Klapperich, a four-year starter with the Knights, led her squad to a second place finish in the Region III tournament and a state tourney berth.

Klapperich's teammate Siena Locke led a group of Valley players on the honorable mention list. Emily Bolling and Alicia Berberich of Palmer and Laurel Creel of Wasilla were also named honorable mention.

Rounding out the girls first team are Zee Zee Young and Lillian Bullock of Dimond and Lathrop's Kari Reabold.

Palmer senior Stanley Ratcliff earned first-team all-state honors in the 4A boys' class. Ratcliff was the only player not to wear a Bartlett or West uniform to make the team. Bartlett's Mario Chalmers and Doug Hardy, and West High's Daniel Brown and Ramon Harris were also named first-team.

Chalmers was named the 4A boys' player of the year for the second straight season.

Wasilla junior Matt Crane earned second-team all-state honors.

Palmer, Wasilla and Colony each were represented on the 4A boys' honorable mention list. Palmer's Kurtis Devon, Wasilla's Luke Schafer and Colony's Rhett Magner were named honorable mention.

West's Chuck White was named the 4A boys coach of the year and Dimond's Jim Young was named the 4A girls' coach of the year.