Schirack heading north to be a Nanook

WASILLA -- While many local prep student-athletes decide to venture south for their collegiate careers, Marsha Schirack has decided to go north and make Fairbanks her collegiate destination.

Schirack signed a National Letter of Intent this week to join the Alaska Fairbanks women's basketball team and attend the university next fall.

"I am excited, I always wanted to play in college and I can not refuse the offer that I got," Schirack said.

The Wasilla standout is set to begin her senior season with the Warriors. During her junior campaign, Schirack averaged more than eight points and five rebounds per game, while shooting more than 72 percent from the free-throw line.

Schirack has been an important part of Wasilla's success as a full-time starter at the post position.

The 6-foot senior garnered second team All-Region III honors and was named to the all-tourney team at last year's state tournament.

"Marsha loves being a basketball player and constantly works to be better, and every coach loves that," Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert said. "She will do well in college, she will add speed and an outside shot. She can handle the basketball in the post."

Schirack is poised to make an immediate impact for the Nanooks. UAF will graduate three of their top post players including 6-3 center Heidi Arts and 6-2 center Lauren Marshall, thus leaving a void for the Nanooks to fill in the middle.

"Losing the post players that we are, it is very crucial to get someone who can step up and play," UAF head coach Jenny Benson said. "We are estatic to get another 6-0 body for our lineup."

"Marsha plays strong and has a shot with touch," Benson added.

There are currently nine Alaskans on the UAF roster, including former Susitna Valley Ram Melissa McNaulty.

"My dream is to field a team with Alaskan players and get to the national tournament," Benson said. "Hopefully this will help open the door and let players know that UAF is an attractive option. You can play high level Division II basketball and still be right in your backyard. Players in the Valley or Anchorage can get away from home, but still be close enough to jump on a plane to go see their friends and family."

"It will be cool to be able to play in Alaska," Schirack said. "I will be able to stay close to home and play against a lot of the people I know."

Benson began to court Schirack earlier this year when the Wasilla native participated in Benson's team camp in Fairbanks.

"We looked hard at two players from Wasilla last year and began to look at Marsha," Benson said. "Then when she came to our team camp we knew right away that we wanted her."

Schirack marks the first early signing during Benson's nine-year tenure as the Nanook women's basketball mentor.

"Usually we wait until the spring to sign players because we don't have the staff to recruit during the season," Benson said. "She fills a need and we wanted her. It takes a load off our shoulders."

"It is good for Marsha to sign early," Hebert said. "It is something that she does not have to worry about."