Valley represented in post season tourneys

The peak of excitement is in the basketball world. A few former Valley athletes and one former Valley coach have had a chance to not only be a spectator in the madness, but a participant.

Former Houston, Colony and Wasilla head coach Chuck Martin, former Colony standout Jessica Moore and ex-Palmer standout C.J. Hooker each had a personal invitation to the "big dance." Former Palmer Moose Zac Forsythe and ex-Warriors Adam Fitt-Chappell and Brittany Kroon, each participated in the Division II national tournament.

Martin, who won nearly 300 games and two state championships in Alaska and is now an assistant at Liberty, helped lead the Flames to the Big South Conference title and a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament. The 16th-seeded Flames got in early exit, as they dropped an 82-63 decision to top-seeded St. Joseph's.

Liberty, who participated in the Carrs Great Alaska Shootout last November, finished the season 18-14 overall and 12-4 in Big South play.

Hooker, a reserve forward with the University of North Carolina, saw his Tar Heels advance to the second round of the NCAA tourney. UNC, which earned an eight-seed after the ACC tournament, scored a 63-52 win over Air Force in the first round, but third-seed Texas slipped past the Tar Heels 78-75 in the second round.

A former All-State player and the 2000 Region III player of the year, Hooker made the Tar Heel varsity squad just prior to this season after playing for two years in the UNC junior varsity program.

Moore, another former Region III player of the year, is the lone Valley native still participating in the NCAA Division I tourneys. Moore and her University of Connecticut squad are looking for their third-straight national title. The two-time defending champions advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Pennsylvania 91-55 in the first round and Auburn 79-53 in the second round. The former Knight star notched her team-high fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Penn. Moore scored eight points and registered four rebounds and two blocked shots in the win over the Tigers.

Moore has started every game for the Huskies this season and is averaging 9.5 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.

Forsythe was part of a historical season for the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Nanooks not only set a season record for wins, 23, but was just a few points away from advancing to the Division II Elite Eight. UAF notched its first post season wins in school history, upsetting third seed Cal. State Bakersfield 91-82 and Cal. State San Bernadino, the top seed in the Division II West Regional, 82-78, in overtime.

Forsythe, a former Palmer High standout, appeared in 25 games for the Nanooks as a sophomore.

Kroon and her Seattle Pacific University squad saw an amazing season come to an end in the Division II Elite Eight. After SPU won its first 30 games this season, Drury knocked off the Falcons 94-83 to advance to the Division II Final Four. Kroon, the 2002 Region III girls' player of the year, averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds and registered 135 blocked shots this season.

Fitt-Chappel and his squad, the University of Alaska Anchorage, also advanced to the Division II West Regional. The Seawolves suffered a 67-64 loss to BYU-Hawaii in the first round.

Fitt-Chappel, a UAA sophomore, averaged 10 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for the 20-10 Seawolves.

Another former Warrior and Region III player of the year, Ray Schafer, missed an opportunity to head to the big dance, but his Oregon Ducks are participating in the National Invitational Tournament.

Oregon advanced to the NIT semifinals with wins over Colorado, George Mason and Notre Dame. The Ducks will take on Michigan on March 30 at Madison Square Garden. Schafer is a freshman with the Ducks.

Football:

Curitis Shirley (Colony 2004) signed a letter of intent to join Western Oregon next year. Shirley will play on the offensive line for the Division II squad … Mike Weber (Palmer 2004) signed a letter of intent to join Valley City State University (ND) next year. Weber will play defensive back for the NAIA squad … Junior Aumavae (Palmer 2004) signed a letter of intent to join Western Washington next year. Aumavae will play on the defensive line for the Division II squad … Cole Magner (Colony 2001) finished his junior season with the Division I Bowling Green State (Ohio) Falcons. Magner finished the season with 99 catches for 1138 yards, both school records, and 10 touchdowns … James Watts (Wasilla 2001) finished his sophomore season with Western Oregon University. WOU finished 5-6 after a 17-13 loss to Western Washington. Watts appeared in two games this season … Justin Buzby (Wasilla 2000) finished his junior season with the University of Minnesota-Crookston. Buzby finished the season with a team-high 46 solo tackles and third on the squad with 80 total tackles. Buzby was named All-NSIC. UMC finished the year 2-9 … John Fillman (Colony 2001) finished his junior defensive lineman with UMC. Fillman recorded a team-high 13 total tackles against Bemidji State. Fillman finished the season 57 total tackles and four sacks … Jake DeBuck (Colony 2003) is a redshirt freshman tight end with UMC … James Winter (Colony 2001) finished his sophomore season with Minnesota State-Moorehead. The 5-8, 258-pounder has started all 11 games for the 3-8 Dragons. Winter is also a heavyweight on the Dragon wrestling team … Ali Larijani (Palmer 2003) finished his first season with Valley City State University (ND). Larijani, a linebacker, played in his first career game against the University of Mary (SD) Nov. 1 … Sam Widmer (Wasilla 2003) finished his first season with the University of Mary. UM lost to Carrol College in the second round of the NAIA playoffs, and finished 10-2 on the season. Widmer plays linebacker … Cory Creighton (Colony 2000) is a wide receiver and kick returner for the University of Montana-Western. He was named second team All-Frontier conference.

Volleyball:

Emily Sakis (Palmer 2003) completed her first season with Northeastern Junior College (CO). Sakis played both outside and middle hitter for the Colorado team. NJC finished with a 43-4 regular season record, first in Region IX. The squad was defeated twice by Western Wyoming Community College and placed third in the Region IX tournament last week. Sakis finished the regular season ranked third in the region with a .375 hitting percentage, and first among freshman. She has 383 kills and only 95 errors. Sakis also finished 15th in the region with 1.08 blocks per game and 11th in the region with 3.04 kills per game. Sakis was named All-Region IX and to the all-tournament team … Brianna Johnson (Palmer 2003) finished her first season as a member of the Wartburg College (IA) junior varsity team … Diana Gordon (Palmer 2000), formerly Diana West, is now a member of the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Gordon transferred from BYU-Hawaii. Gordon appeared in 24 games this season … Lisa Thomas (Palmer 2001) finished her junior season with Portland State University. Thomas collected 146 kills and 69 blocks for the 14-14 Vikings this season. The Vikings ended the season 14-14 … Leisa Rosen (Wasilla) is in her fourth season as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan … Stefanie Farris (Wasilla 2002) ended her sophomore season with the Citadel with 239 kills, 222 digs and 22 service aces. The Citadel (6-24) lost its final match of the season 3-0 to Western Carolina. Farris collected nine kills and seven digs.

Basketball:

Chandice Cronk (Wasilla 2004) signed a National Letter of Intent to join Santa Clara next season … Ray Schafer (Wasilla 2003) is in his first season with the University of Oregon. The Ducks are in the NIT semifinals after wins over Colorado, George Mason and Notre Dame in the post season tourney … Marsha Schirack (Wasilla 2003) finished her freshman season with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The forward averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per contest and started in 19 games this season … Melissa McNaulty (Susitna Valley 2002)finished her sophomore season with UAF. She has appeared in 16 games this season … Zac Forsythe (Palmer 2002) finished his sophomore season with UAF. Forsythe appeared in 25 games this season for a squad that advanced to the Division II Sweet 16 … Amber Magner (Palmer 1992) is in her third season as head coach of California State University-Monterey Bay women's basketball squad. CSUMB finished the regular season 10-19 overall and 6-7 in Cal. Pac Conference play. Magner's six seeded squad lost their conference tournament opener, falling to CSU-Hayword 73-60. … Leah Magner (Colony 1999) is an assistant coach for the CSUMB women's basketball squad … Jessica Moore (Colony 2001) is now a junior with the University of Connecticut. Moore and the Huskies have advanced the the Sweet 16 of the Division I tourney and are looking for their third-straight national title. Moore is averaging 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game … Sarah Bergeron (Palmer 2002) is a sophomore at Southwestern Oregon Community College … Amy Chapman (Palmer 2003), Toni Cox (Palmer 2003) and Melissa Mayse (Wasilla 2003) are freshman at Southwestern Oregon CC … Ron (Buddy) Bailey (Wasilla 2003) finished his freshman campaign at California Baptist. The guard scored 12 points in his squad's final game of the season, at loss at Westmont College. Bailey appeared in 32 games as a freshman … Adam Fitt-Chappell (Wasilla 2002) finished his sophomore seson with UAA. Fitt-Chappell is averaged 10 ppg and 3.4 rpg this season for the 20-10 Seawolves … C.J. Hooker (Palmer 2000) finished his first season with the University of North Carolina varsity team. Hooker has appeared in eight games as a junior and scored his first collegiate points in a 115-81 win over George Mason on Dec. 7. UNC advanced to the second round of the NCAA tourney, but fell to Texas … Jeff Huston (Houston 2000) finished his senior season with Warner Pacific (WA). Huston averaged 5.5 points per game and dished out a team-high 181 assists this season … Dustin Dubois (Palmer 2003) finished his fresman season at Lynchburg College (VA). His squad finished the season 9-18 … Brittany Kroon (Wasilla 2002) finished her sophomore season at Seattle Pacific University. Kroon averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds and registered 135 blocked shots for her squad that advanced to the Division II Elite Eight.

Cross-country running:

Eric Strabel (Colony 2000) has finished his senior season with UAA. Strabel placed 45th in the Division II West Regional last week … Aaron Dickson (Palmer 2003) and Drew Dickson (Palmer 2003) are freshmen with the Seawolves. Aaron Dickson finished 31st in the West Regional and Drew placed 37th … Sarah Hanson (Colony 2001) is a junior with UAA. Hanson was recently named to the All-Academic team by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference … Domonique Colberg (Colony 2003) is a freshman with the University of Montana. Colberg and the Grizzlies recently competed in the Mountain West Championships … Diana Heimerl (Colony 2001) is a junior with UAF … Renae Moore (Su Valley 2002) is a sophomore with UAF … Pat Egelus (Palmer 2000) is a senior with Eastern Oregon University. EOU won the NAIA Region I championships. Egelus finished 20th in the race.

Swimming:

Dirk Craft (Palmer 2000) is in his junior season with the University of South Dakota. Craft helped lead his team to a second-place finish in the NCC Swim and Dive Championships on Feb. 20-21. Craft was also a standout at the national championships. He was a member of the four All-American Relays and also earned USD's only individual All-American honors by finishing seventh in the 50 free (20.66) and eighth in the 100 free (45.74),

Hockey:

Kerry Weiland (Palmer 1999) is now playing profesionally for the Edmonton Chimos in the National Women's Hockey League. Weiland will also represent the United States in the International Hockey Federation 2004 Women's World Championships, March 30- April 6 in Halifax, Nova Scotia … Shane Saum (Palmer) finished his senior seaosn with the Air Force Academy. Saum, a captain for the Falcons, led his squad with 13 goals and was second in scoring, with 25 points. Saum ended his four-year Falcon career with 40 goals and 44 assists … Nathan Schwartzbauer (Colony 2000) finished his freshman season at Bemidji State (MN). He registered two assists and was a +2 in his first season at the Division I level. The Beavers finished the season 20-12-3 overall and 16-3-1 in the CHA … Jake Luthi (Colony 2002) finished his first season at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (NY), Luthi appeared in five games … Jake Williams (Houston 2003) is in his first season with the Dubuque Thunderbird junior hockey squad. The Thunderbirds won the Minnesota Junior Hockey League regular season title and are currently in the middle of a three-game series with the Minnesota Ice Hawks to determine the MJHL tournament title. Williams has nine goals and six assists … Jamie Bennett (Houston 2003) is also in his first year with Dubuque. Bennett, who plays on the blueline, has seven goals, seven assists and a team-high 123 penalty minutes … Seth Reda (Colony 2002) is a forward for the Wichita Falls Rustlers of the North American Hockey League. Wichita Falls (KS) plays in the same Junior A league as the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Reda has 10 goals and 26 assists for a Wrangler team that recently notched the third seed in the NAHL tourney … Konstantinos Lambernakis (Colony) is a first-year defenseman for Wichita Falls. Lambernakis has two assists in 10 games this season … Dan Hacker (Wasilla) finished his junior season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Hacker scored 10 goals and added seven assists during the season. UNO was knocked out of the CCHA post season tourney by Michigan.

Golf:

Travis Parker (Colony 2003) is a freshman on the South Mountain Community College men's golf squad.

Soccer:

Tami Callison (Palmer 2001) finished her junior season with the University of Evansville (IN). Callison was named All-Missouri Valley Conference and finished tied for second on her team in scoring … Sianna Garrod (Colony 2003) finished her freshman season with Gonzaga University (WA). Garrod appeared in 10 games for the 11-8 Bulldogs … Jon Kaster (Palmer 2002) is in his first season as a midfielder for Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. … Lynda Bowers (Palmer 1994) finished her first year as the head coach of the University of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville with a 10-7 record … Kristin Covalt (Palmer 2000) finished her senior season with USIE with a 3-5 record and 1.34 goals against average … Eric Lund (Colony) has finished his senior season with George Washington University (DC). GW fell to the Temple Owls 2-0 in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 tournament … Thomas Kelly (Matanuska Christian School 2002) is a starting forward for Peninsula College (WA).

Baseball:

Andy Walker (Wasilla 2001) is a junior catcher for the University of Minnesota- Morris. Walker is hitting .250 with three runs batted in, and has started seven games for his 0-11 squad … Brian Weller (Palmer 2002) is a redshirt freshman catcher with Bemidji State University. Weller has appeared in two games for the 0-14 Beavers.

Softball:

Tiffany Scott (Colony 2003) is a freshman with Central Arizona College. Scott hit her first home run of her career recently and is hitting .555 for her squad that is ranked third in the nation. CAC is 44-5.

Wrestling:

Jesse Brock (Wasilla 1999) is a senior at Boise State (Idaho). Brock, a two-time Pac 10 champion saw his career come to an end after a 4-0 loss in the consolation bracket of the NCAA national tournament. Brock had an 89-32 career mark … Scott Jorgenson (Palmer) is a sophomore for Boise State. Jorgenson was eliminated in the fourth round of the consolation bracket of the NCAA national tournament after losing a match by just one point … James Winter (Colony 2001) is a sophomore heavyweight for Minnesota State Moorehead … Dan Pickett (Colony 2001) is a sophomore for Minn. State Moorehead. Pickett is in the 149-pound class … Dan Graham (Colony 2002) is a freshman for Minn State Moorehead. Graham is at 135 … Jed Wade (Wasilla 2004) has committed to join Columbia next season. Wade suffered a tough 1-0 loss in the Dapper Dan Classic earlier this month. The Dapper Dan Classic is by invite only and considered one of the premier dual meets in the country.

Skiing:

Eric Strabel (Colony 2000) ended his career at UAA with a top-10 finish at the national meet earlier this month … Sarah Hanson (Colony 2001) is a junior on the UAA women's nordic team. She earned All-America status with an eighth-place finish at the national event … Diana Heimerl (Colony 2001) finished her junior season with the UAF women's nordic team.

If you have a piece of notable news about a former Valley athlete competing in collegiate or professional athletics, let us know. Give us a ring, 352-2273, send us a fax, 352-2276, or drop us an e-mail, sports@frontiersman.com.