Wasilla boys basketball mentor reaches 200 wins

WASILLA — In 2009, Ryan Engebretsen’s Wasilla Warriors upset the West Anchorage Eagles, becoming the first eighth seed to ever beat the top team in the first-round of ASAA’s 4A state tournament. Earlier this month, the 2016-17 edition of the Warriors used another win over West to score Engebretsen another milestone.

Wasilla’s 57-48 win over West in Anchorage Feb. 11 marked Engebretsen’s 200th as head coach of the Wasilla boys’ basketball program.

“I am (excited),” Engebretsen said recently. “Not just for the fact it’s 200 wins, but it’s a statement to what we’ve done as a program.”

Engebretsen, in this 10th hear as the Warriors head coach, was quick to praise those who have been with him, while talking about the milestone.

“With my assistant coaches being loyal to the entire program, the stability we’ve had with (assistant coach Matt Berg) being with me the entire time, with (assistant coach Mike Devine) to come in my second year, sticking it out and being around through the thick and thin, staying true to what we do, and that’s trying to do what’s best for kids in any given year,” Engebretsen said.

Engebretsen said he’s proud to not only reach 200, but to hit the milestone in just his 10th year as head coach.

“To get to 200 in just my 10th season at Wasilla High, it’s kind of where I can sit back and enjoy it a little bit,” Engebretsen said. “To say, wow in 10 years, we’ve averaged 20-plus wins a year. It means we’ve had five to six dynamic years, because we’ve had a couple of rebuilding years.”

Those dynamic years included four straight Northern Lights Conference championships and a trip to the 2010 state title game.

“I called a lot of my old alumni to thank them for the ride they put me on,” Engebretsen said.

Former Wasilla High activities director Paul Cossette was in his first year at Wasilla High when Engebretsen was named the school’s boys’ basketball coach in 2007. But Cossette first met Engebretsen long before that. Cossette’s first interaction with him came while Engebretsen worked as a teacher at Goose Bay Elementary.

“I’d seen him on the basketball court, but the way he was interacting with the kids was awesome. He’s a good character guy,” Cossette said.

Overall character was looked at in the highest regard by the Wasilla High administration, Cossette said.

“I’ve always had this idea with good character guys, good character people. Wins come and go. But character is really important to me, really important to (the administration),” Cossette said.

Cossette said the hiring committee was also impressed by Engebretsen’s preparation and enthusiasm.

“He came in with this three-ring binder. He already has the season lined out, the practices lined out, what they were doing every week around the game schedule,” Cossette said.

Engebretsen was also very well known within the Valley basketball community. Prior to joining Wasilla High, Engebretsen was as an assistant coach in the Colony High boys’ basketball program for seven seasons. He served as an assistant for former Colony boys’ head coaches Jeff Bowker and Phil Engebretsen, his older brother.

Cossette said it was not only a big moment for Engebretsen, but for Wasilla High. The school was searching for a coach to replace former head coach Jason Marvel, who had just led the Warriors to the 2007 4A boys’ state title in just his fifth season as head coach. Cossette said there were, “some strong candidates,” in the running for the position, but Engebretsen’s character and organization put him at the top.

Cossette laughed when he recalled one of the questions Engebretsen was asked during the interview process.

“What are you going to do with all the green clothes?” Engebretsen was asked.

“My wife and I already talked about it,” Engebretsen said. “I can’t wait to fill up the closet with red.”

Engebretsen said the support of his wife and three children are a primary reason why he continues to serve as Wasilla’s head coach.

“I do go back to my wife every year and ask if I can coach another year,” Engebretsen said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz sports@frontiersman.com.