Moose girls -- short but quick

PALMER -- They're short, but they're quick -- that was the theme of the Palmer girls' basketball squad last season. And this year, the song remains the same, possibly even to a higher degree.

The Moose lost just two starters off the 2002-03 squad, but they lost their height. Palmer's size was wrapped up in 5-foot, 10-inch post player Chrissy Lien.

The positive is Palmer returns six seniors, including two of the top players in the region in guard Emily Bolling and forward Keisha Hooker.

"We are very much the same," Palmer head coach Lyle Busbey said. "We are not real tall and our taller players are raw. The difference is our top two scorers are back."

Though Palmer's tallest player is 5-8, Busbey believes that the Moose can aggravate teams with their quickness.

"We can create matchup problems for teams," Busbey said. "We can cause a lot of problems on offense by spreading the floor.

"We should be a better shooting team than last year."

Busbey believes by using its speed and spreading the floor, Palmer can allow its prolific scorers to excel. He said that both Bolling and Hooker have the potential of scoring 20 points per game.

Though Hooker is not the tallest post player in the region, the senior forward has the potential to be one of the top rebounding players in the conference. Despite just a 5-6 frame, Hooker is a tenacious rebounder inside. Busbey also believes that Hooker can hold her own against the taller post players in the region.

If Hooker lives up to the potential that the Palmer coaches see, the Moose could have one of the more dangerous weapons in the region. In addition to her ability to thrive on the glass, Busbey said that Hooker can pop outside and hit the three-pointer.

"Last year, Keisha wasn't the Keisha we had seen," Busbey said.

The Palmer coach added that Hooker has excelled during summer camps.

Another key member of Palmer's senior class include point guard Jayme Irvine.

Irvine split time with Amy Chapman last season and should be the primary carrier of the ball down the court this season. Busbey expects more consistency from that position this season.

Also returning are seniors Alicia Berberich, Aslynn Jones and Danielle Schuetter.

The Moose will be tested early with games against Chugiak and West Valley in the Palmer Elks Showdown. Palmer also has an early season with showdown with Valley foe Wasilla during the second day of showdown action tonight.

Palmer will also play in a tournament in Seattle over the holiday break.

"Typically we are a slow starting basketball team," Busbey said. "Our goal is to be playing our best basketball by the region tournament."