Prep boys' basketball: Wasilla boys have all the pieces

Jan. 23, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Jesse Bean has helped lead some pretty solid teams onto the court during his time at Wasilla High School.

But the four-year starter said he feels best about the team the Warriors have assembled this year.

&#8220I feel great about our team,” Bean said after a dominating win over Skyview on Friday. &#8220As long as we stay injury free and keep progressing, we can do really well this year.”

Bean is the most visible member of a squad looking to defend its Northern Lights Conference crown and return to the large-school state title game for the first time since 2003.

He's manned the point guard spot for the last four years, is the reigning region player of the year and has already committed to play basketball for UAF next season.

But the Warriors are proving to be far from a one-dimensional team.

&#8220We have the potential to do great things,” Wasilla head coach Jason Marvel said earlier this season.

The Warriors possess a variety of talent.

Bean and senior guard Jeremiah Collins each have the potential to hurt teams from the perimeter on the offensive side of the court, and frustrate opponents on the defensive end.

Wasilla has size up front with the likes of center Logan Williams and junior Matthew Stearman.

The Warriors have a deep bench. Forwards Jack Troshynski, Zach Orr and Tyler Johannes are among those who regularly contribute solid minutes.

And Wasilla has a dynamic newcomer in Dexter Pierce.

The Warriors feel, as the season progresses, Pierce will steadily become a bigger part of the WHS game plan.

&#8220He adds a whole new dimension to our team,” Bean said. &#8220He's big, fast, athletic and shoots the ball well.”

Early in the season, Marvel said, it was simply a question Pierce becoming familiar with Wasilla systems. Now four games into the conference season, Bean said the transition has gone very well.

&#8220By the end of the year, he's going to be a dominant player,” Bean said.

A key for Wasilla, as the Warriors make a run toward the region and state tournaments, may be the inside game.

&#8220We're going to have to establish our post a little more,” Bean said. &#8220Get them going.”

The Warriors believe Williams, a 6-foot-6 center, and Stearman, a 6-foot-5 forward, both have the ability to be dominant at the 4A level.

&#8220Logan and Matthew have to really be consistent night after night,” Marvel said. &#8220We gotta have an inside game, as well as an outside game.”

Leading the Warriors' deep bench is Troshynski.

&#8220He's kind of the jack of all trades,” Marvel said. &#8220He gets out there and does what he needs to do.”

The Warriors currently sit at the top of the NLC with a 4-0 region record. Tonight Wasilla hosts Colony at 8:15 p.m. at Wasilla High School.

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