Moose rebound, cap tourney with win

WASILLA — The “David versus Goliath” metaphor gets tossed around a lot in sports. While it may not always be appropriate, the metaphor accurately described Palmer’s second game of the Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic at Wasilla High earlier this week.

And, unfortunately for the Moose, Palmer was not Goliath.

Sparked by a 19-9 first-quarter run, the Carver Wolverines, who advanced to the Class 6A Alabama state semifinals last season, scored a 69-45 win over the Moose during the holiday basketball tournament at Wasilla High on Tuesday.

“This is a David versus Goliath matchup,” Palmer head coach Jason Marvel said. “(But) we’re going to go out and fight, and we’re not going to quit.”

The Wolverines brought a full roster of 15 to Alaska for the tourney, with 11 players taller than 6-foot and seven 6-3 or taller. Palmer, on the other hand, went only two deep on the bench, with nobody bigger than 6-3.

Carver used that size and depth advantage to score the 24-point victory and outrebound the Moose 41-19.

Palmer did rebound to score a 64-40 win over Chugiak on Wednesday, and cap tourney play with a 2-1 mark.

“A mark of a good team is how you respond from a loss,” Marvel said. “We came back and responded really well.”

Palmer led early, but used a 22-7 third-quarter run to separate from the Mustangs.

“We started plugging inside more,” Marvel said.

Senior Jackson Buresh keyed that effort and finished with a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds. Buresh finished 9 for 12 from the field and 4 for 4 from the free-throw line.

“Jackson really stepped up,” Marvel said.

Buresh hit the 20-point mark twice in three days. He collected 20 points and 10 rebounds during an overtime win over West Anchorage on Monday.

Junior Connor Looney hit a pair of three-pointers and scored 13 in the win. Straight chipped in 13.

Skyler Fullmer led Chugiak with 11.

Looney led the Moose with 16 points against Carver. Junior Brian Selmer scored 13. Both Looney and Selmer were named to the all-tournament team.

Palmer will now prepare for another tournament. The Moose are slated to compete in the Alvarez Tire Hoops Classic Dec. 27-29 in Prescott, Ariz.

Palmer 64, Chugiak 40

Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic

Wednesday, Wasilla High

Palmer 17-13-22-12—64

Chugiak 11-9-7-13—40

Palmer (64) — Looney 4 3-4 13, Ramoth 1 0-0 2, Straight 2 5-7 10, Matik 2 0-0 4, Buresh 9 4-4 23, Selmer 4 0-0 9, Niekamp 0 3-6 3; Totals: 22 15-21 64.

Chugiak (40) — Rohde 1 0-0 3, P. Fullmer 2 0-0 6, Puterbaugh 2 2-2 6, S. Fullmer 3 2-2 11, Oldenkamp 1 1-7 3, Spearman 2 0-0 4, Plumb 1 1-2 3, Snell 1 2-2 4; Totals: 13 8-15 40.

Three-point field goals: Palmer 5 (Looney 2), Chugiak 6 (S. Fullmer 3); Total fouls: Palmer 17, Chugiak 20.

Carver 69, Palmer 45

Doc Larson’s Roundball Classic

Tuesday, Wasilla High

Carver 19-14-17-19—69

Palmer 9-8-14-14—45

Carver (69) — Johnson 11 0-0 23, Jarrett 1 0-0 3, Lee 1 0-0 2, Murphy 2 0-0 5, Sword 7 0-0 15, Davis 1 0-0 2, Armstrong 6 3-4 15, Murphy-Blackmon 1 0-0 2, Young 1 0-0 2; Totals: 31 3-4 69.

Palmer (45) — Looney 3 7-9 16, Ramoth 1 0-0 3, Straight 2 3-3 8, Buresh 1 1-2 3, Selmer 1 0-0 2; Totals: 13 11-14 45.

Three-point field goals: Carver 4 (4 tied with 1), Palmer 8 (Looney 3); Total fouls: Carver 12, Palmer 8.