Valley hoops star coming home

WASILLA — Chandice Cronk has undoubtedly had this week circled on her calendar.

That’s because the Santa Clara University women’s basketball standout and former Wasilla High School star is returning to her basketball roots.

Cronk is coming home to lead her Santa Clara Broncos into the 2007 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.

“I’m so excited,” Cronk said during a telephone interview on Thursday. “I can’t wait.”

Cronk said she learned of her team’s road trip to her home state sometime last year.

“We’ve been trying to get in (the Shootout) for the last few years,” Cronk said. “And we finally got in.”

On Tuesday when the Broncos face Bradley University in the first round of the women’s Shootout it will mark the first time Cronk has played a competitive game in her home state since her senior year of high school.

And the game will be played in the same place her high school career ended — the Sullivan Arena.

In her last game in Alaska, Cronk helped the Warriors score a 45-43 win over Lathrop in the third-place game of 2004 ASAA 4A state girls’ basketball tournament.

Since the end of a high school career that included three Northern Lights Conference titles, consecutive appearances in the 4A state title game and individual accolades far too numerous to list, Cronk has emerged as a Division I standout.

As a freshman, Cronk made an immediate impact. She started 27 games during her first season, and was named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman squad.

She also helped the Broncos reach the women’s NCAA tournament.

As a sophomore Cronk was named a team captain, despite the fact she was an underclassman. She averaged 10 points per game, hit 60 three-pointers and led the West Coast Conference with a three-point shooting percentage of 45.1 percent.

Cronk emerged as one of the top talents in the WCC as a junior. She led the conference in scoring (16 ppg) and three-pointers. Her 94 treys ranked her fifth in the nation, and set school and conference records.

Just a few weeks into her senior season, Cronk is already hitting milestones. She scored her 1,000th career point in a win over Washington State last week.

It is hard for Cronk to say whether or not she has already exceeded the expectations she had for her college career.

“I guess I’m surprised to an extent,” Cronk said after a pause. “This is kind of what I’ve been working toward since I was really young.”

The one thing Cronk does know for sure is Santa Clara was the perfect choice.

“I love it here,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade anything for it — friends, coaches, the area. I don’t ever want to leave. Unfortunately I’ve got to do it next year.”

Cronk is currently enjoying her final season of college eligibility, and is close to receiving a degree in elementary education. She has a few potential options for her future.

She is considering a return to Alaska to pursue a teaching certificate at UAA. If that’s the case, Cronk would work toward a career in teaching and coaching.

But there’s also the chance Cronk could find a home at the professional basketball level, possibly playing oversees. Cronk said a former teammate is currently playing in Europe, and is having success.

“It’d be definitely something I’d be willing to give a chance,” Cronk said.

As she looks back on what she has already accomplished at the college level, Cronk is almost humbled.

“All-conference, 1,000 points — I’m just honored to be in that category,” Cronk said.

When asked about what goals Cronk has for the final season of her career, her focus was on her team.

“This year I really want to make it back to the NCAA tournament,” she said. “We made it when I was a freshman and it was the most amazing experience of my life.”

Cronk and the Broncos will play twice during the two-day women’s Shootout. A win over Bradley Tuesday would push the Broncos in the tournament title game on Wednesday. With a loss, the Broncos will play in the consolation finals.

But off the court, Cronk will have the opportunity to spend time with her friends and family, and serve as the official Alaska tour guide for her Santa Clara squad.

“Everyone gets the whole Alaskan experience,” Cronk said, eager to take her teammates snowmachining and sledding. “I want to show everyone on the team everything. It’s so different.”

Cronk has spent significant time during the summer in Alaska, but her schedule during the winter months is dictated by basketball.

Cronk did get the chance to sneak back to Alaska to see her sister Ashlee and the 2006-07 edition of the Wasilla girls’ basketball team win the 2007 4A state championship.

“It was awesome to see her play and accomplish such an amazing thing,” Cronk said.

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