Warriors boast depth

WASILLA — Last season, the Wasilla Warriors lived and died with Kelsey Cottle. When Cottle was have a good night, more often than not, the Warriors would win. If Cottle struggled, so did the Warriors.

Things worked out for Wasilla. The Warriors jumped on the shoulders of their 6-foot-5-inch all-state post and rode Cottle all the way to a Northern Lights Conference championship and a runner-up finish in the 4A state tourney. Cottle is back for her senior season, but Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said she feels the Warriors may not have to rely quite as much on Cottle.

“Last year we were pretty one-dimensional with Kelsey and role players,” Hebert-Truax said just hours before the Warriors made their 2010-11 debut during a lopsided win over West Anchorage. “To beat us, you had to stop Kelsey.”

After graduating only four players from that championship squad, Cottle is one of eight veterans returning to the Wasilla squad.

“We’re going to be so much more versatile this year,” Hebert-Truax said.

The Warriors do have that inside presence — Cottle and fellow senior Celeste Colegrove — that’s aggravated opponents since that pair broke into the varsity program as freshmen. Wasilla also has young forwards such as sophomore Kyla Dinkel, who also saw action as a freshman. Kalli Johannes, a four-year Wasilla player, will also be a full-time varsity athlete this season, and sophomore Savanna Burke add depth inside.

The Warriors certainly like the collection of talent they can place in the paint, but this year, Wasilla also boasts scary depth around the perimeter.

Seniors Hilary Apangalook and Leisl Brown are among the seniors back in the guard spots. Both can play either the point or shooting guard positions. Hebert-Truax said Apangalook, in particular, made impressive improvement in the offseason.

“Hilary is playing with a lot more confidence,” Hebert-Truax said. “She’s really looking good.”

Sophomore Alexis Imoe returns as Wasilla’s starter at point guard and fellow sophomore Alysha Devine is on the varsity squad this year.

A key addition to the team is junior Alyssa Hutchins, a transfer from Colony. Hebert-Truax said Hutchins will be her starter at shooting guard, but will also be asked to bring the ball down the court.

After making its debut against West on Thursday, Wasilla will continue its season Monday as one of the host teams of the second-annual Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic. The Warriors will face Chugiak, North Pole and Newberg (Ore.) during the three-day round-robin event.

Later this month, the Warriors travel north to compete in the McKinley Classic at Monroe Catholic High School.

Continue to see the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman in coming weeks for more stories previewing the local 4A basketball programs.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.