Prep basketball preview: Defense expected to spark Palmer boys

Dec. 22, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

PALMER - When the Palmer Moose first hit the court this season, head coach Greg Fullmer wasn't quite sure where his team would be at.

But after their performance in the Palmer Elks Showdown last week, Fullmer's bunch may have some promise.

The Moose look a bit different this year, after losing for of their five starters to graduation. But Palmer is already doing some of the same things.

For the second-straight season, Palmer edged Chugiak in an overtime thriller in the championship game of the Elks Showdown. That win followed strong performances in victories over Houston and Hutchinson.

To continue to have success this season, the Moose feel things will have to start on the defensive side of the court.

&#8220Defense is what wins games,” Palmer senior Nate Svedin said after his squad's win over Hutchinson last week.

Svedin said in his mind, the best offense is good defense. And if the Moose stick to their strategy of playing tough defense, the offense should come through.

Palmer lost a significant amount of size to graduation - mostly notably the Berberich twins, Trent and Jared. But despite not having that size, Svedin said Palmer will bring something different to the court.

&#8220I believe we're a lot faster,” Svedin said.

The Moose are led in the post by a pair of 6-foot-4 forwards, Svedin and fellow senior Quinton Fiscus.

Along with defense, Fullmer said a key for the Moose this season will be rebounding.

&#8220We've challenged Nate and Quinton to both be the leading rebounders on both teams,” Fullmer said. &#8220They've both done a great job so far.”

While Svedin and Fiscus should handle much of the rebounding, the Moose believe they will have a well-rounded scoring attack.

&#8220We spread the wealth a lot,” Svedin said. &#8220Our starting five and a couple of players on the bench - we all have good scoring capability.”

Leading the Moose on the perimeter will be junior guard T.J. Fullmer. In the win over Chugiak Fullmer hit seven three-pointers, and scored a game-high 28 points.

Also key at the guard position, Greg Fullmer said, will be the play of junior Matt Hillemeier and senior Scott Cottrell.

Among the newcomers to the program are junior guard Josh McPheters, who is in his first season with the Moose after transferring from Heritage Christian.

Another newcomer to the varsity squad is senior forward Ryan Thorne.

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