Wasilla senior earns another honor; Basketball standout named Gatorade Player of the Year

WASILLA — Connor Devine continues to pull down the big awards.

The Wasilla senior, who recently capped a stellar prep career with a 20-point and 27-rebound effort during a lopsided win over Bartlett in the third-place game of the 4A state tournament, was named the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

“It’s a good feeling,” Devine said Thursday evening. “I definitely wanted that state championship, but I was able to get this to end the season.”

Prior to the beginning of the state tournament last week in Anchorage, Devine was named the Alaska Media/Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Player of the Year.

Devine said he appreciates both honors.

“I think they’re pretty even. The coaches one is pretty important to me, but the Gatorade is a pretty prestigious award,” Devine said. “I’m very happy to get both.”

Devine put together one of the more impressive seasons seen in Alaska in recent memory, averaging nearly a triple-double per game. Devine tallied 20.1 points, 14.6 rebounds and 8.0 blocks per game as he helped lead the Warriors to a 23-4 overall record, a fourth straight Northern Lights Conference title and a third-place finish at the 4A state tournament.

Devine said he is still disappointed the Warriors were not able to realize their ultimate goal — a state title — but feels there is plenty to be proud of.

“After that game against Bartlett, I was pretty sad. It was a real emotional couple of days. I’ll never put that high school jersey on after that game. I ended this part of my life, but I’m ready for a new part,” Devine said. “Winning four region titles in a row is definitely something to be proud of. We had a good record, and there were good memories made.”

Devine will play for Division I South Dakota State next season and said committing to a school before the start of his senior season took some pressure off of his final year.

Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen agreed.

“He didn’t do it for the stats, he was doing it for his team,” Engebretsen said. “He went out there and got triple-doubles for us to win games. He didn’t do it to pad his stats. He already had his scholarship. He didn’t stress over the stats, numbers.”

Gatorade looks at multiple variables before making its selection. Academics, community service and reputation of character also factor into the decision.

“It acknowledges a little bit more than just basketball,” Engebretsen said.

Devine carries a 3.77 grade point average and is also a dedicated member of his church, where he is a youth mentor.

Gatorade names a player of the year in the sport in all 50 states, and will later announce a national winner. Devine had the unique opportunity of playing against another Gatorade winner this season. Carver High senior Craig Sword was named the Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year. Devine and the Warriors faced Sword and the Wolverines during the Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic in December.

Sword will play at Division I Mississippi State next fall.

“That was really cool. Playing against them was awesome,” Devine said of the match against the Wolverines. “They have multiple Division I athletes.”

Devine is the third player from the Wasilla High boys basketball player to earn the honor. Ray Schafer was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003 and Jesse Bean grabbed the award in 2007.

Devine is also the second member of his senior class to win the award. Morgan Dampier won the Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year award for track and field as a junior.

Former Wasilla girls basketball players Jenna Johnson (2009) and Chandice Cronk (2006) have also won the Gatorade award.

In all 15 Valley athletes have been named a Gatorade Player of the Year in five different sports.

Former Colony High basketball star Jessica Moore is the only Valley athlete to earn the award twice, winning in 1999 and 2000.

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

Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year

Valley winners

Boys basketball:

2012: Connor Devine, Wasilla; 2007: Jesse Bean, Wasilla; 2003: Ray Schafer, Wasilla; 1999: Eli Wilson, Colony.

Girls basketball:

2009: Jenna Johnson, Wasilla; 2006: Chandice Cronk, Wasilla; 2000: Jessica Moore, Colony; 1999: Jessica Moore, Colony.

Track and field:

2011: Morgan Dampier, Wasilla; 2003: Aaron Dickson, Palmer; 2002: Ryan Collins, Colony; 1999: Eric Strabel, Colony; 1997: Jenny Luer, Palmer.

Football:

2007: George Percak-Dennett, Colony; 2001: Cole Magner, Colony; 1997: Jeremiah Richards, Palmer.

Volleyball:

1997: Maren Witzel, Colony.