Warriors headline all-state teams

Following an undefeated run into the state championship game, the Wasilla boys' basketball team was rewarded by members of the media when the all-state teams were announced last weekend.

Many assumed Ray Schafer, Wasilla's 7-foot center bound for Division I Oregon next year, would be named player of the year. Bartlett's Mario Chalmers took the honor, but Schafer and teammate Buddy Bailey earned first-team all-state honors.

"Voting for those kinds of things has never been an issue for us players," Schafer said. "Really, we just play basketball. It's a big deal more for the fans and the families than it is for us. We congratulate each other when we hear about it, but it's not that big of a deal. We're a team."

It marks the second time in as many seasons Schafer has been named to the first team.

The addition of Bailey, a transfer from 3A Anchorage Christian School, helped the Warriors to a second-place finish in the state. Schafer said the Warriors' success, and his own, was aided by Bailey.

"There's no question we came a lot farther as a team with him than had we not had him with us," Schafer said. "He added a great outside scoring threat that we needed. He took a lot of pressure off of me. I think we complemented each other on the court, and that shows by how far we went this year."

Joining Bailey, Schafer and Chalmers on the all-state first-team were Dan Hardy of Bartlett and Chris Devine of Chugiak.

Bartlett repeated as state champions this year, and Chalmers became the second sophomore -- joining Trajan Langdon -- to earn player of the year honors.

Colony senior Joe Reza was the Valley's only representative on the second team. On the honorable mention list were Colony teammates Landon Swank and Justin Coffman, and Luke Schafer, Ray's "little" brother. Schafer was more excited about that selection than his own first-team selection.

"It was pretty exciting to play with him this year," Schafer said of his brother.

The coach of the year went to Ronnie Chalmers of Bartlett.

The two first-teamers will go their separate ways next year, as Bailey is still undecided about where he'll play college basketball. Schafer is headed to Oregon, a top 25-caliber school.

After playing in a senior all-star game tomorrow night, he is looking forward to graduation.

"That's the way I like it, staying busy," Schafer said. "I was invited to play in the all-star game, so I got back in the gym and am staying in shape. Then it's graduation, and then we leave for Oregon on June 20."

That's when Schafer will get his first test of Pac-10 basketball. He said that he "was kind of biased" while watching the Ducks in the NCAA tournament. A few weeks from now, however, and he'll be on the Oregon sidelines.

His role hasn't been decided yet, but Schafer said you can be sure he's going to give it his all on the practice court.

"I don't know if I'm redshirting next year or not," Schafer said. "It'll go right down to the last day of practice. But I'm looking forward to getting down there and getting going. A lot will depend on how I do in practice."

Player of the year -- Mario Chalmers, Bartlett. Coach of the year -- Ronnie Chalmers, Bartlett.

First team -- Mario Chalmers, sophomore, Bartlett; Ray Schafer, senior, Wasilla; Chris Devine, senior, Chugiak; Buddy Bailey, senior, Wasilla; Doug Hardy, junior, Bartlett.

Second team -- Byron Wild, senior, Juneau; Joe Reza, senior, Colony; Ozelle Jamestown, junior, East; Ryan Shaver, senior, Lathrop; Bennie Hold, senior, East.

Honorable mention -- Joe Ayers, Juneau; Calin Bjur, Ketchikan; Zack Bowman, Bartlett; Daniel Brown, Bartlett; Justin Coffman, Colony; Ian Foley, Kenai; Bryan Hamey, Juneau; Jordan Jamestown, East; Ben Kihns, Homer; Aaron Loges, Chugiak; Josh Lohrenz, West Valley; Chad Mortonson, Kodiak; Kinzey Reeves, Lathrop; Luke Schafer, Wasilla; Caleb Schooley, Kenai; Steve Steiner, Kenai; Vince Stewart, Dimond; Landon Swank, Colony.