Palmer girls' look to return to state tourney

Small and athletic -- those are the traits that best describe the Palmer girls' basketball squad.

"Compared to last year we are so much more athletic," Palmer head coach Lyle Busbey said. "We are just not tall."

The Moose return only one starter from last year's squad that finished 10-15.

Junior Emily Bolling is the lone returning starter and will look to lead the Moose from the guard position.

Also penciled into the starting lineup are Amy Chapman, Toni Cox, Chrissy Lien and Keisha Hooker.

Chapman will play point guard and have the responsibility of bringing the ball down the court for Palmer.

"We can get up and down the floor," Busbey said. "Anyone can score in double figures. We are not tall and not beefy, but we are very versatile. Our post can shoot outside and play inside"

Leading a solid list of reserves are senior Carrie Aro and junior Alicia Berberich.

"We have a solid seven," Busbey said. "We just need one more post player to work into the mix."

Bolling, Chapman and Lien saw ample varsity playing time last year. Bolling has been a varsity starter throughout her career at Palmer. Lien broke into the starting lineup last season and Chapmen spent her junior campaign as Palmer's backup point guard.

Cox and Hooker were junior varsity standouts last year.

The Moose lost six seniors and four starters to graduation. The biggest shoes to bill will be those of Sarah Bergeron.

"She had the size and strength in the paint that is tough to replace," Busbey said of Bergeron.

The Moose missed the state tournament for the first time during Busbey's eight-year tenure at Palmer.

"Things just didn't come around like we thought they would," Busbey said. "We were really competitive at regionals and lost a tough game to Kenai by three."

"Our top thing is to get back to the state tournament," Busbey added.