Early run key to win over Valley foe

PALMER -- Sometimes a team gets itself in a hole and it's hard to get out. The bigger the hole, the harder it becomes to recover.

The Wasilla Warriors used an 11-0 run in the opening period of play to put Valley foe Palmer in a hole of gigantic proportions. The margin proved too much to overcome as Wasilla cruised to a 70-36 victory over the Moose in the Palmer Elks Showdown on Friday.

Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax credited the early success to her team's intensity.

Chandice Cronk nailed a three-pointer on Wasilla's first possesion and Lindsey Wesser scored six of her 10 points during the 11-0 run.

Wasilla fouls and Palmer's success at the free-throw line kept the Moose alive in the first quarter.

After a scoreless three minutes to start the game, Emily Bolling hit a pair of free throws for Palmer to cut the Wasilla advantage to 11-2. Palmer was 8-8 from the charity stripe during the first period.

Wasilla outscored Palmer 23-10 in the second and 13-2 in the third to bury the Moose.

An inside presence was a constant for the Warriors throughout the game. Wasilla collected 31 rebounds in the game including a game-high nine from Megan Stearman. Wasilla outrebounded Palmer 13-6 on the offensive glass.

Hebert-Truax said that a goal was to get the inside game established.

"We want to get the post involved," Hebert-Truax said. "Work on our high-low game."

The coach also said the Warriors' ability to run the floor and taking Bolling out of the game were keys for Wasilla. Bolling, who was in early foul trouble, was held to just three buckets and 13 points from the floor.

Wasilla also had success with its youth. Freshman Anne Wesser was one of three Warriors to hit double digits, scoring 12. Fellow freshman Hillarie Putnam added eight points.

Cronk led all scorers with 16 points in the contest. Ten different players scored for Wasilla.

Bolling's 13 points were a high for Palmer. Keisha Hooker added 12.

Palmer was 15-17 from the free-throw line in the loss.

Warriors roll

Wasilla crushed West Valley 81-18 during the final day of the Palmer Elks Showdown.

Cronk hit four three pointers and scored as many points as the entire Wolfpack team. Lindsey Wesser added 17 points and Abbey Bulawa scored a season-high 10 points.

Wasilla held West Valley scoreless in the first and fourth quarters.

Moose fall

Elyse Hartman scored 15 points and Kelsey Griffen added 14 as the Chugiak Mustangs defeated Palmer 57-40 on Saturday.

Bolling was the lone Moose in double-digits with 10 points.

Chugiak won the showdown with a 3-0 record. Palmer finished 1-2.

Hartman MVP

Hartman was named the MVP of the Palmer Elks Showdown after leading her Mustang squad to the tourney title. Griffen and Courtney Waters were also named for Chugiak.

Bolling, Cronk and West Valley's Casey Miller were also named.