Warrior girls state runner-up for second straight year

ANCHORAGE -- Though it was a different situation, it was the same result. For the second time in as many years, the Wasilla girlsâ fell just short of a 4A state championship.

Wasilla entered the title-contest Saturday as the heavy favorite. With a 27-0 record against Alaska competition, it looked as if the Warriors were poised to win their first crown since 1984.

For the most part the Warriors could not seem to get their high-octane offense going and the second seed Chugiak Mustangs got steady play on both ends of the floor.

The Mustangs stunned the top ranked Warriors 57-42 to win the state crown at the Sullivan Arena Saturday.

Last season, the underdog Warriors fell to the heavily favored East Thunderbirds.

Aside from Chandice Cronk, the Wasilla offense was nearly non-existent Saturday. Cronk scored 27 of her team's 42 points. Cronk was the only Warrior to score more than six points in the game and one of just four Wasilla players to get on the scoreboard.

Throughout most of the season Wasilla had a host of players capable of putting the ball in the basket. Aside from Cronk, the Warrior guards struggled from the outside and had difficulty getting the ball in to the inside post players.

The Warriors shot just 37 percent from the field and 28 percent from beyond the arc. Wasilla, normally known for burying teams with their shooting, hit just 7 of 25 three-pointers in the contest. Cronk hit five of her team's seven three-pointers. Cronk finished the contest hitting 10 of her 16 shots, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc.

Cronk's partner in the backcourt, Trista White, struggled with her shot throughout the game. White was 1 for 13 from the field and 1 of 10 from behind the arc. White's lone three-pointer in the game came with just 49 seconds left in the game.

Chugiak used their notable size advantage to control the play inside. Swingman Erica Putnam, at 6-foot 1-inch, and 5-11 forwards Kelsey Griffen and Amber Starbard prevented the Wasilla players from getting solid chances inside.

Marsha Schirack, Wasilla's leader in the paint, grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, but did not register a basket. Schirack astoundingly had just one shot attempt from the inside. Schirack shot the ball just three times, but two were late three-point attempts.

Putnam led the Mustangs with a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds. The versatile athlete shot 6 of 12 from the field, hitting both the mid-range jumpers and the driving layups.

Griffen was a force inside with 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

The Mustangs were able to hold an advantage over the Warriors for much of the contest. After holding a slight 11-10 lead after the first quarter, Chugiak gradually gained momentum and extended their lead over Wasilla. The Mustangs held a five-point lead at the half and a nine-point lead after three quarters before finally outscoring Wasilla 21-15 in the final frame.