MR. BIG SHOT

PALMER — Christian Odom has hit some big shots during his senior season and high school career, but none bigger than his final attempt Thursday night.

The Palmer senior point guard drained a one-handed, off-balance three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Moose a 50-49 win over the Wasilla Warriors at Palmer High School.

Just seconds after Wasilla junior Braydon Kuiper scored in the paint to give his team the lead with only five seconds remaining, Odom took the inbound pass and went nearly the length of the court before throwing up his game-winner from the right corner of the court.

“I came down, just tried to push, get the best look I could,” Odom said after he was greeted by an eruption of cheers as he walked out of the Palmer boys’ basketball locker room after the game. “The one-handed shot went in.”

After the buzzer sounded on the one-point Palmer win, players and fans from the student section stormed the court, with a mob lifting Odom onto their shoulders.

“It’s the best feeling in my life right there,” Odom said.

Like many in the Palmer High gym, Moose head coach Jason Marvel said he didn’t immediately know Odom’s shot was good from three. There seemed to be a momentary pause throughout the gym, but as soon as the number 50 hit the scoreboard, the loud Palmer gym erupted again.

“I thought it was a two-pointer, a lot of people did,” Marvel said. “I didn’t care if it was a two or a three, as long as it went in.”

After Kuiper gave the Warriors the two-point lead, the Moose needed a bucket to, at minimum, force overtime. Marvel said, at that point, it’s just best to let his players play.

“I’m just a big believer, last five seconds, the rhythm of the game, players make plays,” Marvel said. “There’s no play I could draw up, it’s just players making plays.”

For Odom, who contributed a game-best 14, the shot was the biggest of a number of key jumpers during the Palmer win. It’s also a highlight in what’s become a stellar senior season for the three-year starter.

“He’s really become an excellent high school basketball player,” Marvel said. “That shot he has, that jumper he’s got. He’s really confident. He’s running the offense well, playing defense well. It’s a pleasure to coach a kid like that.”

Kuiper nearly contributed the game-winning shot for the second time this season. In early January, Kuiper nailed a long jump shot to lift Wasilla past Palmer at Wasilla High. Marvel admitted feeling a bit of déjà vu.

“I thought, ‘oh gosh, here we go again,’” Marvel said.

Odom said, despite the Kuiper go-ahead bucket, the Moose wanted to keep going.

“We didn’t quit, we kept playing,” Odom said.

That proved to be key throughout the game for Palmer.

The Moose trailed 15-9 after the first period, and at one point Wasilla led by as much as eight.

“It was a total team effort,” Odom said. “We got down by (eight) and didn’t stop playing, didn’t stop fighting and came out with the win.”

Freshman James Nisbett was also key in the victory, added 12 to Odom’s game-high. Six of Nisbett’s points came at a crucial point during the second quarter.

With Palmer trailing 21-13, sophomore Connor Looney grabbed a steal and sent a behind-the-back pass to Nisbett, who was dashing toward the basket. Nisbett got the layup to cut the lead to six. Palmer senior Kevin Montgomery forced another Wasilla turnover, which led to another Nisbett basket. Nisbett also hit a pair of free throws to complete a six-point run on his own and cut the Warriors’ lead to just a single possession.

“This was a breakthrough game for him,” Marvel said of the freshman. “He was attacking, finishing, passing, playing good defense. This was a good game for him.”

Kuiper and junior Connor Devine each contributed a game-high 14 points for the Warriors. Senior Wade Stahle finished with 11.

With the win, Palmer finished 8-2 in Northern Lights Conference and clinched at least the No. 2 seed in the North Division. Wasilla dropped to 7-1. The Warriors host Homer tonight and Skyview on Saturday.

Palmer 50, Wasilla 49

Thursday, Palmer High School

Wasilla 15-8-10-16—49

Palmer

Wasilla (49) – Schierman 3 0-0 6, Quenga 1 0-0 2, Ferro 1 0-0 2, Kuiper 7 0-0 14, Stahle 3 4-4 11, Devine 6 2-2 14.

Palmer (50) – Odom 6 1-2 14, Looney 1 0-2 3, Nisbett 5 2-3 12, Dean 1 0-0 3, Straight 1 1-2 4, Buresh 1 1-2 3, Montgomery 1 0-0 2, Niekamp 2 5-6 9.