Wasilla senior finds opportunity right in her own backyard

WASILLA — Alyssa Hutchins originally thought she wanted to start her basketball career outside of Alaska, but after receiving a surprise phone call from University of Alaska Anchorage head coach Tim Mosier, the Wasilla senior realized the best opportunity was in her own backyard.

“Going into the fall, I had no idea he was interested in me,” Hutchins said after signing her National Letter of Intent to attend UAA and play basketball for the Division II Seawolves next season. “One day he called and offered me a full-ride. Right when he called I knew I wanted to go there.”

A number of programs had flirted with Hutchins throughout the recruiting process. There was interest from Wyoming, Central Methodist and UAF, among others. Hutchins could have tried to catch on with a smaller Division I program, but the idea of playing with a winning team like the Seawolves was too good to pass up.

Mosier has built a Great Northwest Athletic Conference Power since taking control of the Seawolves five seasons ago. He put together an 108-20 mark in his first four years, guided UAA to consecutive Final Four appearances in 2008 and 2009 and led the Seawolves to four straight Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout titles.

“They’re a legit school. To have them in my own backyard is really great,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins said she loves the idea of playing in the Shootout, the annual Thanksgiving tourney that brings Division I teams to Anchorage. Next year, the Shootout could put Hutchins on the court against former Wasilla High star and state player of the year Jenna Johnson.

Johnson’s new squad, Utah State, is slated to play in the Shootout next November.

Hutchins could also see minutes early in her career. UAA is graduating three players at the end of the season, two of which are guards.

“(Mosier) told me, of course I have to work hard, but there’s a good possibility of seeing minutes next year,” Hutchins said. “Of course, it’s not guaranteed.”

Hutchins said she’s not redshirting.

Longtime Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said she feels Hutchins will fit in well at UAA.

“I know her parents are happy. I’m happy for her,” Hebert-Truax said. “And we get to watch her for four more years.”

Hutchins is in her second year at Wasilla after spending the first two years of high school at Colony. During her first season with the Warriors, Hutchins was named most valuable player after a pair of tournaments early in the season and earned All-Northern Lights Conference honors.

She helped Wasilla work through the 2010-11 season as the top 4A program in the state, but missed the Warriors run through the state tourney to the 2010-11 4A state title due to injury.

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