Buzzer-beater gives Moose win over Chugiak

PALMER — T.J. Fullmer got the last word during an unofficial Fullmer family reunion at Palmer High School on Saturday night.

Fullmer, Palmer’s senior captain, buried a three-pointer with no time remaining to lead the Moose to a 54-53 win over the Chugiak Mustangs in the final game of the Palmer Elks Showdown at Palmer High

School.

In each of the last three years, Palmer and Chugiak have met in the final game of the Showdown. The annual match has been extra special for the Fullmer family.

On the Palmer side there is T.J. and his father Greg Fullmer, the head coach of the Moose. On the Chugiak end there is Greg’s brother Kevin, the head coach of the Mustangs. There’s also another brother, Jerry, an assistant on the Mustang stuff. On the court for Chugiak is Colton Fullmer, T.J.’s cousin.

T.J. Fullmer scored a game-high 17 points for the Moose. He hit three three-pointers in the game, and two during Palmer’s 18-point fourth quarter.

Palmer’s fourth-quarter efforts proved pivotal in the game. Chugiak stepped onto the court in the final frame with a 46-36 advantage, but the Moose outscored the Mustangs 18-7 in the final eight minutes of play.

Palmer senior Jake Parisien also hit a three-pointer in the fourth and junior Bryce Jacobson scored four of his 12 points in the final quarter of the game.

Conner Spink led the Mustangs with 15 points. Ethan Hewitt added 14 and Chris Hyslop chipped in 10.

— Jeremiah Bartz

Palmer 54, Chugiak 53

Palmer Elks Showdown

Saturday, Palmer High School

Chugiak 19-14-13-7—53

Palmer 12-11-13-18—54

Chugiak (53) — Harris 1 4-4 6, Spink 4 6-8 15, Hewitt 7 0-1 14, Theis 1 0-0 2, Lerch 2 0-0 4, Hyslop 2 6-6 10, Cash 1 0-1 2; Totals: 18 16-21 53.

Palmer (54) — Draughon 3 1-2 7, Parisien 2 2-2 7, Fullmer 5 4-6 17, Hillis 1 0-0 2, Bergerson 1 0-2 2, Odom 3 0-0 7, Jacobson 3 6-9 12; Totals: 18 13-21 54.

Three-point field goals: Chugiak 1 (Spink), Palmer 5 (Fullmer 3).