Moose upset the crosstown Knights

PALMER -- Prior to the 2002-2003 season, Palmer head coach Brandon Blake knew his Palmer High basketball squad would be playing the role of the underdog.

Palmer found success in that role Friday, as the Moose upset crosstown rival Colony. The snakebitten Knights walked off their home court after suffering a 59-46 loss to the Moose.

"We lost some key players from last year and we felt like we lost a little respect," Blake said. "We have been solid for years and felt like we were looked at as the underdog.

"I think that changed after tonight."

The Moose were playing with additional emotion, fueled by the fact that the Knights defeated Palmer in the region tournament and knocked them out of contention for a state berth last year.

Colony was able to gain an early lead in the contest, but Palmer chipped away at the Knight advantage.

The Knights led 19-10 early in the second quarter. The Moose went on a 13-3 run late in the second quarter to gain a 23-22 advantage with just a minute remaining in the first half.

After a rebound on the defensive glass, Palmer guard Dustin Dubois took the ball down the court and found center Kurtis Devon who hit a falling layup to give Palmer the 25-22 lead at the intermission.

It was a lead the Moose would hold for the duration of the game.

The Moose defense reeked havoc on the frazzled Knight squad in the second half.

The Knights got within a point on a pair of occasions in the third quarter, but were not able to swing the momentum in the Colony direction.

Colony consistently sent Palmer to the free throw line in the fourth quarter. The Moose were able to cement the victory, by hitting 12 of 14 of their shots from the charity stripe in the final period.

The Moose shot 18-23 from the free throw line in the contest.

Dubois led the Moose with a game-high 15 points. Dubois hit a trio of three-pointers and finished 6-8 from the free throw-line.

Stanley Ratcliff added 14 points for Palmer and Devon added 12 points in the paint.

Palmer had a trio of players with six points each.

"It was a total team effort," Blake said. "It was well balanced, enjoyable win.

"It is a long season, we have a long way to go."