March memories: Siblings part of NCAA Division I, DII tourneys

WASILLA — On a Monday evening, March 14, Alysha Devine climbed a ladder, scissors in hand, and clipped a piece of the net inside the Azusa Pacific University gymnasium. Devine had just led the UAA Seawolves, the No. 4 ranked team in Division II women’s basketball, to a 72-57 win over UC San Diego. With the victory came a West Region title and berth in the Elite Eight.

To that point, it’s a pinnacle moment in the college career of the UAA junior. And less than 24 hours later, Devine had the opportunity to watch her older brother Connor celebrate the biggest moment of his college career.

As Devine and her teammates sat in a California airport waiting for their flight back to Alaska, she watched Connor’s team, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, beat North Dakota State in the Summit League championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Division I national tournament.

“It was pretty cool when Connor’s team won the tournament. I was pretty excited for him. It’s awesome to know what it feels like to win a conference. To see your brother’s team do the same thing is really cool,” Alysha Devine said Friday evening.

The success adds to a basketball bond the Devines have shared, hailing from a family that has no shortage of a love of hoops. Both players were sought-after talents out of Wasilla High School, and both earned the Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year Award. Connor Devine, a 2012 WHS graduate, chose South Dakota State over a pile of options. Alysha Devine settled on DII power UAA, and since her choice, she has been a part of one of the best Division II women’s programs in the country.

“I can say this is more than I ever imagined when I first signed with UAA,” Alysha Devine said. “I knew it would be a great experience, but I had no idea it would be anything like this.”

Devine has become an integral piece to the UAA puzzle, and a big reason why the Seawolves are among the final eight teams in Division II basketball. Devine collected 14 points and eight rebounds during the win over UC San Diego March 14, and was named the most valuable player of the West Region tournament. Devine said she was excited, but surprised to earn the MVP honors.

Friday, Connor Devine made his NCAA Division I tournament debut in South Dakota State’s 79-74 loss to fifth-seeded Maryland. Devine finished with two points, two rebounds and a blocked shot in the game.

Alysha Devine will continue her season with her team Tuesday when the Seawolves face Francis Marion in the Elite Eight. Francis Marion is the No. 7 seed from the Southeast Region. The Elite Eight, hosted by the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will also mark a homecoming for Devine and her family. The Devine family is originally from South Dakota, and she still has many relatives in the area.

“My parents already have their tickets,” she said. “I’ll be able to see a lot of family. All season my grandma, who lives right there, has said (I’ve) got to make it so she can come see us. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.