Moose graduate 3 to next level

PALMER -- In just a few days more than 100 students will graduate from Palmer High School, to the next level in life. On Wednesday three Palmer student-athletes graduated to the next level -- in the school of basketball.

Moose senior starters Stanley Ratcliff, Jesse Prins and Kurtis Devon each signed a National Letter of Intent alongside friends, family and members of the Palmer High School administration. Ratcliff inked an intent to join Division II Western Oregon University, Prins signed to attend Hope College in Holland, Mich. and Devon will attend Southwestern Oregon in Coos Bay.

"It's really neat for the program, for everyone," Palmer head coach Brandon Blake said. "Every now and then you figure one or two, but never three to the next level."

Ratcliff, Prins and Devon each were integral parts of a Moose program that saw great success during the 2003-04 season. The trio of starters -- along with fellow senior starters Brandon Gaines and Charlie Bentti -- helped lead Palmer to an undefeated mark in region competition and a Region III title, in addition to a fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament. Though having three members of a basketball team from a size of school such as Palmer is a tremendous accomplishment, the Moose could have had all five starters sign letters of intent.

"In reality we probably could have found a place for all of these guys to play," Blake said.

Bentti and Gaines both opted to attend technical schools after graduation.

After receiving interest from programs at numerous levels ranging from NAIA to Division I early in the recruiting process, Ratcliff narrowed his decision down to a pair of Division II programs -- Concordia University in Portland and Western Oregon. Blake said once the process came down to two teams, each program took turns at increasing the scholarship package in hope of luring the Palmer product. Ratcliff gave WOU a verbal commitment and Concordia upped the ante with a better package. Western Oregon made their final offer, nearly a full scholarship package, and Ratcliff could not refuse. Ratcliff said he will only have to come up with a small amount for tuition and fees. He will also have the opportunity to contribute right away at the small forward position.

Ratcliff, the 2003 Region III player of the year and all-state honoree, will also have the opportunity to return to Alaska each season. The Wolves play in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the same as Alaska Anchorage and Alaska

Fairbanks.

Prins will be part of a program rich in tradition, a program he had pinpointed early in his prep basketball career. Prins not only chose Hope College for the tradition and success on the basketball court, but for its location.

"My mom and dad grew up there and I have lots of family and friends there," Prins said. "I have always wanted to go to Michigan for college."

Prins visited the college and had the opportunity to play with his future teammates at an open gym last summer.

Prins, a 6-foot-7 small forward, will play for legendary head coach Glenn Van Wieren, who has been at the helm of Flying Dutchman basketball for more than 25 years. Van Wieren has led his club to three straight 20-win seasons and has not had a losing season since 1978. Prins said he should see playing time at the varsity level during his freshman year, and also has the opportunity to learn from a veteran squad that includes a Division III All-American.

"The history (of Hope College) is pretty exciting," Blake said. "Obviously he has got some things he needs to work on, but being a player who is 6-7 and can shoot the ball, he'll be able to go to a smaller school and be successful."

Devon will attend a school that has become a pipeline for Palmer High athletes. Southern Oregon Community College already has a pair of Moose alum on the women's basketball team -- Toni Cox and Amy Champman -- and classmate Jessie Macknicki committed to join the Laker volleyball squad earlier in the spring. Devon was courted by several NAIA schools and considered joining Ratcliff on the Western Oregon roster. The Wolves coaching staff was interested in Devon, but didn't offer the scholarship package the Palmer senior would have liked. Devon hopes to join a Laker squad that has holes to fill at the post positions and try to jump to a Division II squad after his two-year stint at SWOCC.

"He wanted to go where he was going to play and develop the tools for the higher levels," Blake said.

Next season there will be five alumni of the Palmer boys' basketball squad playing at the collegiate level.

In addition to Ratcliff, Prins and Devon, C.J. Hooker will be a senior for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and Zac Forsythe will be a junior with UAF.