Moose girls, Houston squads miss trips to state

WASILLA -- The Palmer girls fell just short.

The Homer Mariners used a huge fourth quarter to slip past the Moose 49-37 in the consolation final of the Region III tournament at Wasilla High School on Saturday.

Homer's 18-7 run in the final frame helped ensure the Mariners of the third and final Region III berth into the state tournament.

The Moose moved into the consolation final with a win over Skyview earlier that afternoon.

Palmer seniors Emily Bolling and Keisha Hooker earned all-tournament honors. Bolling was named to the first-team, while Hooker was second-team all-tourney.

Though they didn't advance to the 3A state tourney, the Houston boys' ended their season with a win. Roy Stull and Colton Conner each hit double digits as the Hawks took fourth in the Region III-3A tournament with a 53-38 win over Seward at Grace Christian School on Saturday.

The Houston girls were not as fortunate, suffering a 45-32 lost to the host Grizzlies in the bracket's third-place game.

Brandi Harvey paced the Hawks with 14 points.