Overall height a luxury for Wasilla boys

WASILLA — When Wasilla decides to go small this season, the Warriors really won’t be that small.

During its win over Colony last week, each of the eight players who saw significant action stand at least 6-feet tall.

Wasilla’s guards range from 6-0 to 6-5, and the Warriors get as big as 6-7 in the paint.

“We have big guards all the way around,” Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen said after the Warriors’ win over Colony last week. “That’s our biggest advantage offensively.”

Overall size has certainly been a luxury for a Wasilla program that has jumped out to a 4-0 record in Northern Lights Conference play.

“I don’t have one guy who I’m going to sit on the block for 32 minutes,” Engebretsen said. “I don’t have two guys who I’m going to sit on the block for 32 minutes. I can go post up any of my guys.”

While size is an asset, Engebretsen feels the Warriors certainly will not sacrifice athleticism.

Engebretsen said an example of the Warriors’ almost freaky combination of size and athleticism is junior guard Cody Pfeifer.

At 6-3, Pfeifer can be used in the paint or at the perimeter.

“With certain lineups, I have him starting at the five-spot,” Engebretsen said.

With players like Pfeifer and 6-5 guard Tim Orr, Engebretsen said the combination of size and athleticism is an advantage for the Warriors, not just in terms of scoring, but when it comes to defense and rebounding.

“He’s been absolutely terrific rebounding on offense for us,” Engebretsen said of Pfeifer. “He probably gets us three or four extra possessions a game. The great thing when Pfeifer goes to get that offensive board, he’s agile and athletic enough, I’m 100 percent confident he’s going to get that shot. I love that kid because of that. He’s willing to go do anything and everything that I ask.”

Also at the guard, Wasilla has its captains, seniors Adrese LaVern and Tillerman Kroon, sophomore Cole Schierman and freshman Braydon Kuiper.

LaVern is Wasilla’s top returning scorer, and Engebretsen said both of his captains have taken tremendous pride in their leadership roles.

“(Adrese) and Tills are terrific in practice,” Engebretsen said. “They’re pushing everybody hard. They want great things this year.”

Despite the fact he’s just a freshman, Kuiper has already established himself as a key player within the program. Engebretsen said he’s been in the starting lineup since the third game of the season. Last Friday he led the Warriors with a team-high 18 points during a loss to Dimond.

“He shoots the ball as well as anyone in the program,” Engebretsen said. “You don’t really notice him,. He’s not really the flash and dash guy, but he’s a legit force to be reckoned with.”

At the post, Engebretsen has 6-7 junior John Knowles, 6-4 sophomore David Green and Orr, who can play guard or forward.

“It’s nice to have three of them,” Engebretsen said. “They’re three guys who are big and want to go in there.”

Knowles and Green, a standout on the Warriors varsity football team, provide the bulk for WHS inside.

“They’re just workhorses,” Engebretsen said. “Big bodies.”

Wasilla is off to a solid 8-3 start this year, and is already 4-0 in NLC play. All four of its conference wins have come against North Division opponents.

The Warriors return to the court to host Skyview at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.

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