Wasilla standout to play college basketball

WASILLA — Prior to her senior season of basketball, recent Wasilla High graduate Alexis Imoe targeted Colorado Christian University as her choice for the next stop in her basketball career. At that point, Imoe wasn’t sure if she’d be able to attend to the school. But sometimes the best things happen to those who wait.

Imoe — who led the Warriors to three state titles and four state championship game appearances during her illustrious prep career — recently committed to Colorado Christian and will play for the Cougars Division II women’s basketball program.

“I’m super excited,” Imoe said recently. “At the beginning of the school year, they were interested in me. I really liked their school. The coach is super nice. The team is a lot like my high school team. The academic programs are exactly what I wanted. But at first, it wasn’t affordable.”

But things changed for the Cougars program. And Imoe, who was wading through a sea of offers from schools at several levels, was still available after a few hits to the Cougar roster led to Colorado Christian come calling.

“The coach lost two girls. They were really needing me,” Imoe said. “It made it possible to go there.”

Those open spots on the roster opened the door for Imoe to commit to Colorado Christian and play for a Cougars team that finished 18-11 overall and 13-9 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. Imoe, who will wear the No. 12 jersey at CC, is one of five freshman currently listed on the Cougars roster. Donning her No. 12 jersey with the Warriors, Imoe was a four-year starter for Wasilla. She started her career as the team’s point guard, and played the position for her first three years with a program. As a senior, Imoe moved to shooting guard. Imoe said she’ll continue to play shooting guard at the college level.

“I’m excited. I played a lot (at that position) last year, and enjoyed it,” Imoe said. “Whatever the coach needs me to do.”

Imoe finished among team leaders in several statistical categories as a senior. The all-state guard averaged 15.4 points per game, and finished just two points shy of the team’s lead. Fellow senior Kyla Dinkel scored 464 total points. Imoe finished with 462 as a senior.

Imoe also led her team with 100 assists (3.3 per game) and was third with 2.13 steals per game.

Often, Imoe saved her best for the biggest stage.

Imoe capped her brilliant prep career scoring a game-high 28 points during a 49-43 come-from-behind win over Dimond in the 2013 4A state championship game. Imoe shot nearly 50 percent from behind the arc (5 of 11) and hit 11 of 12 free throws during the state championship game.

Imoe scored 22 points during a win over West Valley in the 2012 state championship game.

Imoe seriously considered a number of other schools before officially committing to Colorado Christian. That list includes schools such as Adams State (Colo.), California Baptist and Azusa Pacific (Calif.). Imoe said several factors led her to Colorado Christian. She’ll have the opportunity to see time on the court early in her career, and CC provides an atmosphere similar to what she’s accustomed to.

“It’s a lot like my team (in high school),” Imoe said.

Imoe is the fourth starter on the championship team to make the move to college athletics. Alysha Devine will play basketball at UAA next year and Dinkel will hit the court at Biola University in California. Another starter, Jenna Ford, will compete for the Gardner-Webb Division I cross-country running and track teams.