Warrior earns top honor

WASILLA —Two years ago as sophomores, Alysha Devine and Kyla Dinkel came off the bench during the state tournament to play key minutes, filling voids created by injury to help the Wasilla Warriors win the first of back-to-back 4A girls state titles.

Since they first established regular roles on the varsity squad during that 2011 state tourney, Devine and Dinkel have helped keep Wasilla at the top of the girls basketball ladder. Now as seniors, they are being recognized for their efforts. Last week, Devine was named the Gatorade Alaska Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

This week, it’s Dinkel’s turn.

Dinkel has been named the Tilmo Painting/Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Girls Player of the Year.

“It’s amazing. I never could have dreamed of anything like this, especially with some many good players in the state,” Dinkel said Monday after the coaches association officially released its annual awards. “I was very surprised.”

Dinkel leads one of three Warriors on the 4A girls first team, and nine Valley players recognized on the 4A girls and boys all-state teams.

Devine and senior Alexis Imoe also represent Wasilla on the 4A girls first team.

“I love it,” Dinkel said of the recognition of her teammates. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without all my other teammates. They make me better every day. I hope I make them better.”

After Devine was named the Northern Lights Conference Girls Player of the Year earlier this month, Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said Dinkel, Devine and Imoe all deserve to be in the conversation in regard to handing out the top honors.

“All three bring different things to us,” Hebert-Truax said. “Kyla has been real consistent this year. Alysha comes across a little more athletic. Alexis is the steady go-to person.”

Dinkel’s consistency has allowed the senior to be a top producer for the Warriors this year. Through the first 27 games of the season, Dinkel is averaging 16 points and eight rebounds per game for the undefeated Warriors.

“I’ve definitely exceeded my expectations as a player,” Dinkel said of her senior year. “I’m very proud of my team for going undefeated so far. But we have three more games.”

Dinkel, who has already committed to play basketball for Biola University in California next season, said she feels like she’s made strides a senior.

“I feel like I’ve gotten more physical,” Dinkel said. “It’s definitely easier to improve when you’ve got such good players on your team.”

Dinkel said coaching has certainly been key during her career.

“I couldn’t do any of it without the coaching,” Dinkel said. “Hebert and (assistant coach Karissa Rollman) are definitely the best coaches in the state.”

Dinkel said the great coaching dates back to when her dad, Mark, was coaching the Wasilla seniors in middle school.

“None of us could be here today without him,” she said. “I’m very grateful for my career. I wouldn’t be there without him.”

Colony senior Mary Klapperich and Palmer senior Taylor Blake each earned second-team honors on the 4A girls list.

Palmer senior Connor Looney was the lone Valley player on the 4A boys first team. Wasilla sophomore Dane Kuiper, Colony senior Hunter Eisenhower and Colony junior Damien Fulp each earned 4A boys second-team all-state honors.

Houston senior Ne Ne Hale represented the Hawks on the 3A girls second team.

Susitna Valley landed a player, Dawson Matthews, on the 2A boys second team.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Tilmo Painting/Alaska

Association of

Basketball Coaches

All-State Team

Girls 4A Player of the Year: Kyla Dinkel, Wasilla.

Girls 4A Coach of the Year: Stephanie Smiley, Kodiak.

Girls 4A first team:

Kyla Dinkel, Wasilla; Alysha Devine, Wasilla; Alexis Imoe, Wasilla; Sierra Afoa, Dimond; Aminata Cole, Dimond.

Girls 4A second team:

Mary Klapperich, Colony; Taylor Blake, Palmer; Kaillie Skjold, Soldotna; Jerica Nelson, Kodiak; Ruthy Hebard, Lathrop.

Girls 4A third team:

Hannah Wandersee, Kodiak; Gabi Fenumiai, Juneau; Jayley Taylor, Ketchikan; Tara Thompson, Dimond; Chantel Bookert, West.

Boys 4A Player of the Year: Adam Klie, Service.

Boys 4A Coach of the Year: Josh Muehlenkamp, East

Boys 4A first team:

Adam Klie, Service; Jarred Laws, East; Connor Looney, Palmer; Damon Cikanek, Dimond; Shaquan Rhoades, Eagle River.

Boys 4A second team:

Marquise Robinson, Service; Dane Kuiper, Wasilla; Hunter Eisenhower, Colony; Izaiah Sherman-Newsome, Bartlett; Damien Fulp, Colony.

Boys 4A third team:

Louis Page, South; Amu Aukusitino, Service; Theo Oghide, West; Sam Jahn, Thunder Mountain, Jack Hobbs, South.

Girls 3A Player of the Year: Mimi Wood, Hutchison.

Girls 3A Coach of the Year: Darrin Powers, Anchorage Christian School.

Girls 3A First team:

Mimi Wood, Hutchison; Alex Derifield, Valdez; Dallas Dickerson, ACS; Shayla Johnson, Nome; Hilary Lowery, Barrow.

Girls 3A second team:

Sarah Gaegel, ACS; Ne Ne Hale, Houston; Lynette Hepa, Barrow; Angela Miguel, Barrow; Colleen Snyder, Kotzebue.

Girls 3A third team:

Sid Riggs, Sitka; Marian Wamsley, Valdez; Taryn White, Mt. Edgecumbe; Dana Chrestman, Barrow; Jess Reiter, Delta.