Moose dancin'

WASILLA -- For just the second time in school history and the first time in nine seasons, the Palmer Moose are dancing like region champions. With a 50-46 win over Kodiak on Saturday, the Moose captured their second Region III title and earned a berth into the Alaska "big dance," the 4A state tournament.

For the first time during his tenure as head coach of the Moose basketball program, Brandon Blake had the opportunity to cut down the net in the Wasilla High School gym after Palmer's Region III title win.

"It's unexplainable, in athletics it's definitely the ultimate feeling," Blake said. "We'll enjoy tonight then think about next weekend."

Once the celebration and excitement calms, Blake and his players will have their thoughts on the East Thunderbirds, Palmer's opponent in the first round of the state tourney.

Palmer nearly knocked off the Anchorage power earlier this season, as the Moose led as late as 30 seconds remaining in regulation. Blake and his players feel East is a good match-up for the Moose.

"I really feel like it is," Blake said. "We feel good, I respect what they do."

"It's a good match for us," Palmer senior Brandon Gaines added.

A 13-0 run midway through the second half proved pivotal to the Palmer win. The Moose held the Bears without a basket from the 3:09 mark in the third quarter to the 2:44 mark in the fourth. This came after a period of more than two quarters where Kodiak's charged-up and emotional play kept the team right with Palmer.

In the final minutes of the third quarter, play was stopped and the teams were sent to the locker rooms after a woman in the crowd suffered a seizure.

After nearly a 30-minute delay, Palmer used quick breaks and sturdy defense to cap off its pivotal run.

"It was one of those deals where they were really controlling the tempo," Blake said. "We went into the locker room after the unfortunate accident and tried to find a way to pick things up. We picked up the pressure and forced them to miss about six shots in a row," Blake said.

Kurtis Devon and Stanley Ratcliff combined for nine points during the run, as the Moose quickly converted on Kodiak's missed shots and turnovers.

"They like the little sloppy game," Gaines said. "Every time we play them, it gets a little sloppy."

Devon, whose play inside was essential in Palmer's success throughout the season, was a mainstay in the paint in the contest. He and Ratcliff each notched double-doubles in the contest. Devon also scored a game-high 13 points.

"He's been huge inside," Gaines said. "Not a lot of players in the state can stop him."

"He is truly one of, if not the top big man in the state," Blake said.

To cap off a Palmer 7-0 run at the end of the third quarter, Devon blocked a shot at the Kodiak offensive end, Moose guard Julius Draughon grabbed the rebound, sprinted to the other end of the court and missed the rebound, but Devon ran right behind and tipped the ball in right before the buzzer.

The play gave Palmer a six-point advantage at the end of three quarters, and its biggest lead of the contest.

Devon was named first-team all-tourney and Ratcliff earned most valuable player honors.

Palmer senior Charlie Bentti was named second-team all-conference and Blake was named the Region III coach of the year for the second time in his career.