Wasilla grad reflects on historic UAA women's basketball season

WASILLA — Wednesday afternoon, just more than 48 hours after the UAA women’s basketball team played in a Division II national title game for the first time in school history, Alysha Devine and her fellow Seawolves made their way off an airplane and through Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage.

The Seawolves returned home after capping a season that stands historic, despite the 78-73 loss to Lubbock Christian in the national championship game. As Devine and the Seawolves passed through the final security gate, the team was greeted by roaring cheers from UAA faithful gathered to great the Seawolves.

Devine, a 2013 Wasilla High School graduate and former Warriors standout, reflected on the experience and the waves of emotion attached Wednesday evening.

“It’s been quite an emotional week. It started to hit me yesterday, and today especially when we got back,” Devine said by cellphone from Anchorage Wednesday evening. “It was unbelievable when we got back to the airport. There was a bunch of people waiting for us, congratulating us, supporting us. I don’t know if it was me being exhausted or overwhelmed. I teared up. It was emotional.”

Throughout the last two days, Devine’s experience as part of the first UAA team in school history to play in a women’s national championship game has made the transition in her mind from something surreal to a reality.

“I think it’s starting to hit me. All that happened. We really went to the national championship game,” Devine said.

The loss stings, but Devine said she’s been able to appreciate the whole experience.

“We definitely wanted to be there to win,” Devine said. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to play, represent Alaska, play for all those people who care so much about us. It was an amazing experience, win or lose.”

Devine said the loss really hurt, but her focus has gone beyond the final outcome.

“I feel unbelievably blessed, grateful to have had this opportunity, that I was able to work alongside amazing women under amazing coaches, and represent Alaska,” Devine said. “It was just an amazing experience.”

As she reflects on the 2015-16 season, the 6-foot-1 junior forward is already looking forward to her senior campaign.

“I’m already super excited to get in the gym again, work on things I need to improve on,” Devine said.

Devine is also embarking on a final phase in her career.

“I can’t believe it’s my last offseason,” Devine said.

Devine is also looking forward to her older brother Connor joining UAA athletics. Connor Devine, a 2012 graduate of Wasilla and South Dakota State junior, announced last week he is transferring from Division I South Dakota State, and will play for the Seawolves men’s basketball team next year.

“It makes me very happy. I’ve missed him so much these past four years,” Alysha Devine said.

Devine, the 2013 Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year, has become an integral part of the UAA women’s program. The junior starter averaged about 9 points and 5 rebounds per game, while shooting about 48 percent from the field and 45 percent from behind the arc. She has appeared in 76 games during her three-year career, starting 42.

Devine earned tournament MVP honors after leading the Seawolves to the West Region crown. The Wasilla grad collected 14 points and eight rebounds in a 72-57 win over UC San Diego in the West Region final.

As a Wasilla standout, Devine helped lead the Warriors to three straight 4A girls state titles.

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