Warriors aim for title run

If it was not for the East Thunderbirds, the Wasilla Warriors girls' basketball squad may have been able to enjoy a perfect season last year.

The T-birds were the only team to defeat the Warriors last season as Wasilla posted a 26-2 record and finished second in the 2002 state tournament. East edged Wasilla to take the title.

The Warriors are back and eager to defend their region crown and again compete for the state title.

Though Wasilla lost a trio of starters from last year's squad, they are returning a group of athletes that will be a force to be reckoned with.

Leading the cast is hot shooting senior guard Chandice Cronk and forward Marsha Schirack, who figures to be Wasilla's leader in the paint.

"Cronk will be our go-to player, she is a big scorer," Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said. "Marsha is a post player that runs the floor well."

Cronk has already shown her ability to take over games and the season has just begun. The 5-foot 8-inch guard hit a pair of three-pointers in a contest against Palmer in the Wasilla Jamboree round robin tournament over the weekend to lead Wasilla in a come from behind victory over the Moose.

Handling the ball at the point guard position for the Warriors will be Trista White. The 5-7 guard is in her first season with the Warriors after transferring from Lathrop at the beginning of the school year.

"After watching Trista in the pre-season I am confident that Trista will be running most of the show from the point guard position," Hebert-Truax said.

Also factoring into the success of the Warriors will be 6-2 senior forward Mellissa Mayse and 5-3 senior guard Kelly Tompkins.

"We will be quicker and faster than last year," Hebert-Truax said of her team. "They have an intense desire to play and get after the basketball."

According to the Warrior mentor there will be stiff competition in the state and many teams to beat, but the Warriors could be right back where they were last year.

Colony, East, Chugiak and Soldotna are all expected to field tough teams this season.