Wasilla coach calls senior ‘one of the most underrated players in the state’

WASILLA — McKenna Dinkel spent a portion of her prep career flying underneath the radar.

Playing alongside first-team all-state selections, Dinkel may not have drawn the bulk of the attention during her run as a four-year varsity player with the Wasilla Warriors. But Dinkel found success in whatever role she was assigned. And now as a senior, Dinkel can’t be overlooked. Dinkel currently leads the defending Northern Lights Conference and 4A state champions in both scoring and rebounding.

“She’s probably one of the most underrated players throughout the state,” Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said of Dinkel recently. “People just don’t take notice of her.”

But Hebert-Truax and the Warriors know exactly what Dinkel brings to a squad that will begin defense of its NLC crown Friday in Kodiak. Entering the region tournament, Dinkel leads the Warriors with 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. The forward is also shooting 54 percent from the floor, a team-high, and even leads the squad shooting 41 percent from behind the arc. Dinkel has knocked down 17 threes this season, third best on the team.

Dinkel is third on the team with 58 steals and fourth with 44 assists.

Hebert-Truax said Dinkel has shown versatility throughout her career, and can help the team in a variety of ways. Earlier in her career, Dinkel was looked to as a player that needs to rebound and defend. As she became a veteran, the team began to depend on her more on the offensive end. This year, Hebert-Truax said Dinkel has become a threat inside and out.

“She can post up. We can pull her out to the perimeter. She also has a pretty good midrange game,” Hebert-Truax said.

As the Warriors dealt with injuries, Hebert-Truax said the coaches even put together a package that includes Dinkel working at the point guard spot, and bringing the ball up the floor.

Hebert-Truax said Dinkel’s basketball I.Q. allows the Warriors to use the senior in so many different roles.

“She knows and understands the game of basketball,” Hebert-Truax said. “One of her major attributes is she understands the game. Not just her position, but everyone else’s position too.”

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