Warriors sport deep, diverse group of talent

WASILLA — Great excitement and optimism surrounds the Wasilla boys basketball program.

But the defending Northern Lights Conference champions graduated three key seniors from a squad that also finished third in the 4A state tournament last year and returns only three players who saw any significant minutes for Wasilla last season.

It helps that two of those players are considered two of the top players in the state.

Seniors Connor Devine, Braydon Kuiper and Dillon Ferro are back to lead the Warriors again this season. Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen believes Devine and Kuiper are two of the top players in Alaska.

Most folks around the 49th state hoops tend to agree.

Engebretsen also believes Ferro is a greatly improved player.

“Dillon has turned himself into being a guy who can score,” Engebretsen said recently.

Devine is the reigning NLC Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection in 2011. He’s already committed to play basketball at Division I South Dakota State next year, and Engebretsen expects him to continue to be a force at both ends of the floor this year.

Kuiper was named first-team All-NLC and second-team All-State last season.

“Those are two of the top 10 players in the state,” Engebretsen said after a Wasilla win over Barrow.

A pair of newcomers quickly found their way into the Wasilla starting lineup. Freshman Dane Kuiper, Braydon’s younger brother, and junior Eric Roberts are both starting for Wasilla.

Dane Kuiper started his prep career in rare fashion, recording his first career points by slamming home an alley-oop in the first minute of Wasilla’s season-opener.

“He’s learning quickly what we’re trying to do,” Engebretsen said of Dane Kuiper.

Roberts moved with his family to the area from Georgia and has added another weapon for the Warriors. Dane Kuiper and Roberts help provide a balanced attack for Wasilla.

“We can go to anybody to get a bucket,” Engebretsen said. “All five guys on the floor are all factors.”

In addition to the starts, Engebretsen is also excited about reserves such as sophomore Cash McGregor.

“He wants to be the hardest working kid on the floor,” Engebretsen said.

Engebretsen also noted the work of the players who might not see as many minutes — Isaiah Dawkins, Zach Adair, Chris Capo and Tyler Hunt.

“They are great kids, busting their tails in practice,” Engebretsen said. “Because of their willingness (to do that), is the reason why we do the things we do in games.”

As a whole, Engrebretsen is excited about his team.

“I’m excited about this group. We have nine, 10 guys who really get along really well,” Engebretsen said. “It’s a group that really loves playing basketball together.”

** Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories previewing the seasons of the local 4A prep basketball programs. For more see frontiersman.com/sports.