Prep basketball: Early lead propels Houston girls to first 4A win

PALMER — Heading into the 2007-08 campaign, Houston expected growing pains as the Hawks embarked on their first season at the 4A level.

On Saturday, the Hawks proved they have the ability to play in the 4A class.

Sparked by an 11-0 first-quarter run, the Hawks cruised to a 66-49 win over the West Anchorage Eagles during the final day of the Palmer Elks Showdown at Palmer High School.

Junior guard Ema Olsen hit a three-pointer from the corner on Houston’s first shot of the game. And on the following possession, Olson stripped the ball, dished to senior Jen Mason and Mason gave Houston a 5-0 lead before the Eagles could even blink.

And if that wasn’t enough, Olsen grabbed another steal and followed with a bucket on the ensuing possession.

In all, four Houston steals led to four easy Houston buckets in the first two minutes of the contest.

“That’s how we want to come out defensivley every game ,” Houston head coach Mary Sanford said. “We’re trying to keep it fasting moving.”

Olsen, who transferred to Houston after playing her first two seasons at Wasilla High School, scored seven points in the first quarter and 15 in the game.

Mason led the Hawks with a game-high 17.

With a team made up predominately of guards, Sanford said hustle and defense will be integral to the success of her team this season. And that was the key to Houston’s first win of the season.

“They’re finally learning how we want them to do stuff,” said Sanford, Houston’s first-year head coach. “New coach, new players, things are coming together here.”

Laura Herman scored 10 points and Ariel Katzenberger added nine as the Hawks improved to 1-3 on the season.

West sophomore Adrina LaVern led the Eagles with 16.

The win marks Houston’s first victory as a 4A basketball team. Up until this season, the Hawks had played in the 3A class as a member of the Southcentral Conference. After exceeding the maximum student body allowed for 3A programs by the Alaska School Activities Association, the Hawks were bumped up a level and moved into the Mid-Alaska Conference.

This season, the Hawks will share a conference with Interior schools North Pole, West Valley and Lathrop.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Houston 66, West Anchorage 49

Palmer Elks Showdown

Saturday, Palmer High School

West 6-10-20-13—49

Palmer 15-19-15-17—66

West (49) — Nidey 2 5-8 10, Simeon 2 1-2 6, Smith 2 2-2 6, LaVern 5 6-8 16, Eliu 4 3-6 11; Totals 15 17-26 49.

Houston (66) — Morlock 1 1-1 3, Fray 2 0-0 5, Thamm 1 0-0 2, Olsen 6 0-0 15, Cross 0 0-1 0, Katzenberger 4 1-2 9, Mason 8 1-2 17, Janneck 1 0-2 3, Herman 5 0-0 10, Acton 1 0-0 2; Totals 29 3-8 66.

Three-point field goals: West 2 (Nidey, Simeon), Houston 5 (Olsen 3).

Bears get by Houston

PALMER — The Bartlett Golden Bears used a big second half to secure a 59-41 win over the Houston Hawks during the second day of the Palmer Elks Showdown at Palmer High School on Friday.

After leading by just six points at the half, Bartlett outscored Houston 36-24 in the final two quarters.

Mason scored 17 points in the loss for Houston. Olsen added seven.

Shatera Neely led the Bears with 13 points.

Bartlett 59, Houston 41

Palmer Elks Showdown

Friday, Palmer High School

Bartlett 12-11-16-20—59

Houston 8-9-13-11—41

Bartlett (59) — Herrera 3 3-7 8, Todd 2 3-4 7, Neely 3 6-10 13, Darden 4 3-7 11, Everett 3 2-6 8, Delk 3 4-7 10, Ferguson 1 0-0 2; Totals 19 20-41 59.

Houston (41) — Hundley 2 1-4 5, Morlock 1 0-0 2, Olsen 3 0-0 7, Katzenberger 1 2-5 4, Mason 7 0-0 17, Herman 1 2-3 4, Acton 1 0-0 2; Totals: 16 5-13 41.

Three-point field goals: Bartlett 1 (Neely), Houston 4 (Mason 3).