Reserve sparks Knights in victory over Wasilla

PALMER — At 5-foot-9, Isaiah Neuner is the smallest player on the Colony Knights varsity roster. But that doesn’t mean Neuner is going to shy away from big moments.

The junior guard scored six straight points for his team during a pivotal stretch of the second quarter to help spark the Knights during a 67-60 win over rival Wasilla at Colony High School Tuesday.

“Good effort. Good energy. That’s the way Isaiah’s got to play,” Colony head coach Tom Berg said after the victory. “He plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he’s going to get at you. For him, it’s about going full speed in the right situation.”

Wasilla, which led after the first quarter, opened the second on a 7-0 run. With the Knights trailing by double figures, Neuner emerged to score his team’s first six points of the quarter. Neuner also helped Colony end the quarter on a 12-2 run that tied the score at 25 at the break.

“It certainly stopped (Wasilla’s) run. That’s a big deal. Instead of being down nine, we’re tied at half,” Berg said.

Berg said Colony fed off the energy supplied by Neuner and was able to answer Wasilla’s run with a run of its own. Berg said Neuner’s performance is also a reminder that it’s not always the top players on the floor who act as difference-makers.

“Their good players were good. Our good players were good. So how are you going to win? You’re going to win because your third, your fourth, your fifth matchups are able to put points on the board,” Berg said.

Colony’s senior leaders came through for the Knights in the second half. Anton Chamblee and Alex Nygard scored all of their points in the second half, combining for 32 points in the final two quarters. Tyler Boyer, steady throughout the contest, had 18 points in the game.

“They’re certainly the three we expect to play well,” Berg said. “Boyer was really good all night. I thought his work on the glass was really good on both ends. Anton came alive in the second (half). Alex came alive in the second half.”

Nygard hit a three-pointer on Colony’s first possession of the third quarter, and opened the half with five straight points to give Colony the 30-25 lead. Chamblee scored 10 points during Colony’s 24-point third quarter. Nygard added seven.

Nolan Martin also hit a three-pointer during the third.

Wasilla’s Kobe Brown helped keep the Warriors in the contest, scoring 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half. Brown had six field goals during the final two periods, and made four trips to the free throw line to consistently cut into Colony’s advantage.

“He was good. He’s a good player,” Berg said of Brown. “Athletic, long, aggressive. He really just kind of goes. He’s got that go mentality. He answered a lot of our big shots. He answered with big shots.”

Isaac Houck added a dozen for Wasilla. Houck helped Wasilla jump to an early lead, scoring seven first-quarter points. Aeron Milliron scored five of his eight points in the first quarter.

Colony improved to 4-0 in Northern Lights Conference play with the win. Wasilla dropped to 2-1.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Colony 67, Wasilla 60

Tuesday, Colony High School

Wasilla 16-9-16-19—60

Colony 13-12-24-18—67

Wasilla (60) — Brown 9 4-7 22, Headings 1 4-4 6, Devine 3 0-0 7, Houck 5 1-1 12, Milliron 2 3-4 8, Lee 2 0-0 5; Totals: 22 12-16 60.

Colony (67) — James 1 2-2 4, Nygard 6 0-1 14, Neuner 3 0-1 6, Chamblee 7 2-3 18, Martin 2 1-3 6, Villastrigo 0 1-2 1, Boyer 8 2-2 18; Totals: 27 8-14 67.

3-point field goals: Wasilla 4 (4 tied with 1); Colony 5 (Nygard, Chamblee 2); Total fouls: Wasilla 17, Colony 14