Moose boys bounce defending 3A state champs

PALMER — Isaac Atkins hit only one shot Thursday night. But it was the biggest of the game.

Atkins buried a three-pointer in overtime to lift Palmer to a 43-42 boys basketball victory over Grace Christian, the defending 3A state champions, at Palmer High School.

In a game that featured two of the top players in the state at any level, reigning 3A Player of the Year Tobin Karlberg scored a game-high 26 points for the Grizzles. Senior Clayton Southwick, a first-team 4A all-state selection as a junior, led the Moose with 18.

Karlberg scored all 15 of his team’s points in the fourth quarter to help the Grizzlies force overtime. Southwick buried four three-pointers in the win.

In girls’ action, Palmer, sparked by a 20-point first quarter, earned a 64-43 over Grace.

Abrianna Busbey hit a trio of three-pointers and scored a team-high 18 points. Kassidy Bowman added 11 for the Moose.

Contact sports@frontiersman.com.

Palmer 43, Grace Christian 42 OT

Thursday, Palmer High School

Grace 11-5-9-15-2—42

Palmer 5-12-9-14-3—43

Grace (42) ¬— Goforth 1 0-0 3, Ji. McGovern 3 1-2 7, Karlberg 8 8-10 26, Ebi 1 4-7 6; Totals: 13 13-19 42.

Palmer (43) — Atkins 1 0-0 3, Titus 1 0-0 3, Hawkins 2 1-2 6, Rankin 1 5-6 7, Southwick 5 4-7 18, Oviok 1 0-0 3, Helm 0 1-2 1, R. Marshall 1 0-0 2; Totals: 12 11-17 43.

3-point field goals: Palmer 8 (Southwick 4), Grace 3 (Karlberg); Total fouls: Grace 16, Palmer 16.

Palmer girls 64, Grace Christian 43

Thursday, Palmer High School

Grace 7-17-9-10—43

Palmer 20-13-12-19—64

Grace (43) — Binder 7 8-13 22, Markel 2 2-4 7, Osborne 0 2-7 2, Salima 5 0-0 10, Gamez 1 0-0 2; Totals: 15 12-24 43.

Palmer (64) — Busbey 6 3-3 18, Puttingill 1 0-0 2, Uschmann 2 0-2 5, S. Benshetler 0 1-2 1, Toro 1 0-0 2, Bowman 4 2-2 11, Giese 2 1-5 5, Lundin 1 0-0 2, J. Benshetler 3 2-4 8, Sutton 2 0-0 4, Alley 3 0-0 6: Totals: 24 9-18 64.

3-point field goals: Grace 1 (Markel 1)l Palmer 5 (Busbey 3); Total fouls: Grace 14, Palmer 21.