Moose survive ugly game for win

PALMER -- Early season prep basketball games can sometimes be not very pretty. Some are just down right ugly. But even the ugly wins are as important as the pretty. Palmer found that out with a 43-38 win over Chugiak during the second day of Palmer Elks Showdown action at Palmer High School on Friday.

"It was sloppy, but it's a win," Palmer senior Brandon Gaines said.

A Gaines three-pointer capped a pivotal 7-0 run for Palmer to start the fourth quarter, which broke a 31-31 tie.

After trailing 20-18 at the half, Palmer muscled back as Stanley Ratcliff hit a lay-up to tie the game as time expired in the third quarter.

Ratcliff collected all of his 12 points in the second half and scored four points during Palmer's run. The senior small forward also hit four of five free throws down the stretch.

The Moose reduced their turnovers and had more success in the paint as the Moose outscored Chugiak 25-18 in the second half. Palmer had 15 turnovers in the first two quarters of play.

"It was a hard-fought, ugly defensive battle," Palmer head coach Brandon Blake said. "I don't have a lot of positive things to say, but the best thing I can say is the kids fought back and found a way to win."

Kurtis Devon pulled down 14 boards in the contest to lead Palmer's inside attack. Palmer had 14 points in the paint in the second half.

Blake praised the play of Gaines following the game.

"(Brandon) made big shots and played big on defense," Blake said.

The senior swingman scored a team-high 13 points.

Palmer, who is already without senior guard and team leader Charlie Bentti who is fighting a bout of mononucleosis, got a scare late in the first half. Another senior and starter, Jesse Prins, may be lost for a period of time. Prins fell hard near the Chugiak bench during a scrum for the ball and hurt his knee. The 6-foot-7-inch center was helped off the court in obvious pain. Blake said prior to the season that Prins had a great summer of preparation and was expected to be a big contributor for the Moose during his senior campaign.

It is unknown how long Prins will be out of the Moose lineup. Bentti is expected back sometime in January.

Lynx top Moose

The Dimond Lynx defeated Palmer 79-57 in the third round of the Palmer Elks Showdown at Palmer High School on Saturday.

Dimond outscored Palmer 46-29 in the final two quarters to seal the win.

Ratcliff led the Moose with a game-high 21 points. Julius Draughon added 16.

Two Moose

named all-tourney

Ratcliff and Gaines were each named to the Palmer Elks Showdown All-Tournament team. Ratcliff scored 66 points in the tournament and averaged a double-double.

Gaines helped lead Palmer to a 2-1 record in the tournament with his play on both sides of the ball.

Dimond High's Warren Lewis was named the tournament MVP. Fellow Lynx Milo Ward was also named to the list.

Chugiak's Tre Mickens and West Valley's Ronnie Moody round out the team.