Post play key for Warrior girls

March 16, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - After missing most of her junior campaign to injury, Jessica Carter hit her senior season with a renewed energy and enthusiasm.

And now Carter is one of seven seniors hoping to lead Wasilla to its first state title in more than two decades.

After she was hurt in a sledding accident last winter, Carter was forced to spend much of the 2005-06 season in street clothes. But she took was she could from the experience.

&#8220I think I grew a lot last season watching from the bench,” Carter said after she sank the game-winning free throws in the regular season finale against Colony.

Those free throws in a 43-39 come-from-behind win over Colony, were among the top moments for Carter, who has enjoyed a solid run of production during the second half of the season.

Throughout the year, Wasilla head coach Jennie Hebert-Truax has stressed the need for production in the post - the area Carter inhabits.

The Warriors have the tools to score from anywhere on the court.

The team has three seniors - Anne Wesser, the 2007 Northern Lights Player of the Year; Hillarie Putnam, the 2006 NLC Player of the Year; and Ayla Brown - all of whom have at least three years of varsity playing time under their belts.

Each senior is known for the ability to play tough defense, and score inside and out.

The Warriors also have sophomore Jenna Johnson, who established herself as a player of the year candidate in just a second year. She can score from anywhere, as well.

Wasilla also has it's pure outside threat, junior guard Shelby Fulton.

And then there's Carter, sort of Wasilla's wild card.

Earlier this season, Hebert-Truax said the Warriors tried some different things to get the post players more involved in the offense.

And Carter responded.

During a three-game road trip to Fairbanks midway through the season, she led her team in scoring twice.

Carter scored 18 in a win over North Pole and 15 in a a victory at Lathrop.

In a key 53-49 win over third-ranked Chugiak, Carter scored a game-high 16 points. Seven of those points came in the final stretch of the game.

&#8220She knows she can do it,” Hebert-Truax said after that win over the Mustangs. &#8220It's nice to see her step up and do it.”

Hebert-Truax said Carter's presence on the offensive end is very important to the Warriors' title run.

&#8220It makes us more versatile,” Hebert-Truax said.

While she knows the importance of scoring in the post for the Warriors, Carter said she really does not feel any additional pressure from it.

&#8220I know if I'm not having a good day, someone else is,” Carter said. &#8220We're a pretty versatile team.”

Along with her strength inside, Carter brings the ability to hit the midrange shot to the court. The Wasilla coaches believe Carter may be one of, if not the best, pure shooters on the team.

Carter said she hopes her basketball career does not end at Wasilla High School. Next season, Carter said, she may have the opportunity to hit the court at Miles Community College, a junior college in Montana.

Wasilla, the top seed in the 4A bracket, opens state tournament play on Thursday against eight-seeded South Anchorage. Tip-off is slated for 5:10 p.m. at Service High School.

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