Elks showdown provides preseason glance

Palmer High School was the site for the annual Palmer Elks Showdown basketball tournament during the weekend with both the Palmer girls' and boys' teams playing for the tournament championship.

Four boys' and four girls' teams from Kodiak to North Pole were invited to play in the three-day round-robin tournament, which culminated Saturday with the crowning of a champion.

The Palmer girls met the Bartlett Bears in the final game Saturday to determine the girls' champion. After falling behind 25-16 at halftime, Palmer couldn't make up the gap and eventually fell to the Bears 42-25.

"We committed too many turnovers in the game," said Palmer girls' coach Lyle Busbey. "We knew Bartlett would be tough, but we also know we can play with them. We just can't turn the ball over so much."

The loss ended a six-year streak for the Palmer girls' team winning the Palmer Elks Showdown tournament.

The Bears pressure defense was too much for the Moose to overcome in the game. The Bears attacked the ball with every pass, forcing many turnovers that led to fast breaks down the other end.

The Bears also covered the inside well to force Palmer to shoot from outside.

"Our offense lacked consistency," said Busbey. "We made too many mistakes that hurt us offensively."

Despite the loss, Busbey was impressed with the team's play in the tournament, stating that most of the players have small areas to work on to improve.

"This tournament was a great learning experience for us, "said Busbey. "We know what we need to work on."

Palmer's Renee Dixon was named to the all-tournament team and Sara Bergeron was named the tournament's most valuable player.

The boys' final featured a down to the wire finish between the Palmer Moose and the Chugiak Mustangs, with the Mustangs scoring the last points to take the win 60-59.

The score stayed close throughout most of the first half, with the Mustangs moving out to its biggest lead 35-29 at halftime.

That gap quickly closed as the Moose hustled on defense to control boards and hit shots from inside and out. Palmer took the 40-38 lead on a bucket by Zach Pettit late in the third quarter, setting up a fourth quarter that featured lead changes throughout.

The game stayed tight throughout the fourth quarter, with each team's bucket changing the lead.

With a 59-58 lead with 35 seconds remaining, Palmer had a chance to put the game away by keeping possesion of the ball. A turnover by the Moose under its own rim gave the Mustangs an opportunity, which they cashed in for two-points to give the Mustangs the 60-59 lead.

With one chance left, the Moose set up a play off an inbound from under their rim with 7.5 seconds left.

The inbounds pass went to Zac Forsyth on the baseline, who was met by a swarming Mustang double-team that forced a turnover to preserve the Chugiak victory 60-59.

"We set up a play with Pettit sliding over and setting a screen to free Forsyth," said Palmer coach Brandon Blake. "Chugiak picked it up and double-teamed Forsyth as soon as he got the ball."

Palmer had opportunities late in the game but couldn't capitilize.

"We didn't execute late in the game," said Blake. "It's frustrating because the kids played their hearts out."

Pettit's hustle on defense attributed to several turnovers in the game that prevented Chugiak from advancing the lead. Pettit also muscled inside to contribute 21 points in the game.

Adam Neilson also put in 21 points off inside drives and three three-pointers. Neilson was named to the all-tournament team for his performance.

Forsyth's playmaking during three games earned him the boys' most valuable player for the tournament.