Redemption: Colony boys get chance to celebrate against Moose

PALMER — The last time Damien Fulp faced the Palmer Moose he got to be the hero for just about nine seconds.

Fulp nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with nine seconds left. But after a brief celebration, Fulp was forced to watch the Moose take away his moment with a buzzer-beating three-pointer and the win.

But on Wednesday, Fulp cashed in on his opportunity to shine. The sophomore guard drained five three-pointers, including four in the second quarter, and helped the Knights score a 66-60 win over the rival Moose at Colony High.

“I was just feeling it,” Fulp said after the victory. “I just wanted to keep getting the ball and shooting.”

Fulp scored 14 of his game-high 18 points in the second quarter to help Colony erase an early deficit.

“That’s the reason he’s playing,” Colony head coach Tom Berg said. “He’s worked on his game. He’s to the point now he can make that shot real consistently.”

Fulp was consistently scoring on just about every Colony possession early in the second, scoring eight straight points to turn an eight-point Palmer lead into a tie score.

Palmer led 23-15 during the opening moments of the second, but Fulp started his streak with a jumper. He followed with his first three-pointer of the game, which cut Palmer’s lead to a possession. On Colony’s following possession, Fulp nailed another three to tie the game at 23.

“I stopped thinking about everything else. I just thought about scoring for my team, getting us those three points we needed early in the game,” Fulp said.

Palmer grabbed the lead back with a six-point run. But with his team down once again, Fulp kept firing. Fulp capped his quarter with a pair of threes during the final 1:28 of the first half. His final three-pointer at the half, coming with eight seconds left, tied the game at 33.

“Tonight he did a tremendous job,” Berg said. “When he sets his feet, when he lets it go, it looks like it’s going in. We like that shot for him. “

The rivals, battling for a No. 2 seed in the upcoming Northern Lights Conference Championships, played even through the third, but Colony used clutch play from on of its veterans to edge the Moose.

Senior Hunter Eisenhower was 6 for 6 at the free-throw line during the final 2:41 of the game and helped the Knights turn a tie game into a six-point win.

“Late in the game, he’s the guy who’s going to come through at the end,” Fulp said.

Eisenhower, who scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth, tipped in a put-back to tie the game at 56. The first two of his free throws gave the Knights a 58-56 lead.

Tim Smith and Nathan Umbarger were also a combined 4 for 4 from the free-throw line during the final minute.

“That’s how you put a game out of reach when it’s close,” Berg said.

Palmer, which led 21-15 at the end of the first quarter, placed three players in double digits. Jared Straight led the squad with 16 points, Jackson Buresh added 15 and Connor Looney chipped in 14. Palmer hit shots early, nailing all three of its three-pointers during the first eight minutes.

“Jared and Connor are two of as good of guards you’re going to get in this league,” Berg said. “They’re both terrific shooters.”

Berg credited his team with slowing down the Palmer shooters.

“Wyatt (Peltier) and (Tim Smith) did a terrific job on Connor. Jared (Turner), Damien and Hunter all spent time on Jared Straight,” Berg said.

Colony improved to 6-3 in NLC play with the win and closes its regular season conference schedule tonight at Wasilla at 7:45 p.m. Right now, the Knights sit alone in second place of the NLC North, but that could change this weekend.

Depending on what happens at Wasilla, Palmer could finish tied with Colony. The Moose would need a pair of wins at Kodiak this weekend and a Wasilla win over Colony.

Wasilla is 9-0 and has clinched the top seed in the NLC North. The conference tourney starts Thursday at Wasilla High.

Colony boys 66, Palmer 60

Wednesday, Colony High School

Palmer 21-12-17-10—60

Colony 15-18-17-16—66

Palmer (60) — Nisbett 4 0-1 9, Looney 5 3-4 14, Straight 7 0-2 16, Buresh 6 3-4 15, Niekamp 2 0-0 4, Meyer 1 0-0 2.

Colony (66) — Scott 2 4-4 8, Fulp 6 1-2 18, Turner 3 1-3 7, Umbarger 3 6-6 12, Peltier 1 0-1 2, Hightower 1 1-1 3, Eisenhower 5 6-9 16.