Prep girls' basketball: Losses pay off for Palmer in the long run

Jan. 16, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE - When Palmer High School was putting together its basketball schedules for the 2006-07 season, Paul Reid, the head coach of the girls' team, specifically asked for his team to take part in a pair of tough early season tournaments - the Capital City Classic in Juneau and the T-Bird Classic at East Anchorage High School.

Reid wanted to prepare his squad for a Northern Lights Conference schedule that is expected to include the toughest field of teams in years.

After his team finished winless in three games at the Capital Classic, Reid thought his plan may have backfired.

But that was far from the case.

The Moose (6-3) rebounded to win the historically tough Lady T-Bird Classic at East Anchorage High School on Saturday.

Palmer topped Chugiak 55-45 in the tourney's title game.

&#8220In a nutshell, as much as it hurt to have those losses (in Juneau), we learned a lot from them,” Reid said.

In the Juneau tourney, Palmer opened with a loss to Troy (Calif.) High School, a team Reid said has one three of the last four state titles in the 5A class in California.

On the following night, a stout defensive effort by the host Crimson Bears led to a Palmer loss. Palmer was beaten by an all-star team from Spokane, Wash., in the final round.

&#8220We didn't anticipate what happened to us in Juneau,” Reid said. &#8220I could have been a blessing in disguise.”

Reid said his players - many of whom have been playing for him for several years at the varsity level - came back from Juneau with a new attitude. Reid said it was almost like eating a big piece of humble pie.

But that led to a new drive.

And that led to success in the eight-team T-Bird Classic.

Palmer opened the tourney with a 56-9 drubbing of Eagle River. Holding the opponent to a single-digit scoring effort, Reid was obviously happy with his team's effort on defense.

&#8220A lot of coaches say this, but (defense) is what really makes a difference,” Reid.

In the semifinals, Palmer scored a 61-57 double-overtime win over the host T-Birds, a team fancied by many as one of the state's best.

Palmer held a seven-point lead entering the final period of regulation against East, but the Thunderbirds took advantage of a 15-8 run and sent the game into overtime. The T-Birds capped the run by sinking two of three free throws in the final moments before the end of regulation.

After a defense battle through the first four minutes of overtime, Ashley Swetzof sparked the Moose in the second overtime.

&#8220She made a couple of big buckets that gave us momentum early in that second overtime,” Reid said.

Mattie Cox and Mikaela Bolling each hit key free throws late in the final overtime.

Stephanie Houser and Kelsey Campbell each scored 11 points in the win over Chugiak.

Reid said Palmer had the obvious size, advantage and the 6-foot Houser was key to the win.

&#8220Stephanie Houser had a really big game,” Reid said. &#8220A lot of rebounds.”

Palmer starts its tough region schedule with a series against Kodiak.

The Moose face the Bears tonight at 5 p.m., and Saturday at 3 p.m.

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