Sophomore leads Colony girls to win over Palmer

PALMER — For the last four years, the Colony Knights had all-state point guard Faith Farris to lean on during clutch moments. But the graduation of Farris last spring left a void in the Colony girls basketball program.

Judging by Colony’s performance against rival Palmer Tuesday night, Farris’ successor appears ready to take on that type of responsibility.

Sophomore point guard Alex Carlton scored seven of her game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Knights hold on and grab a 53-49 win over the Moose at Palmer High.

Carlton hit a key three-pointer and scored five straight points to push Colony’s lead to eight. The points also provided insurance against the Moose, who came up with five points during the final 49 seconds of play.

With Carlton’s points and an Amanda Smith layup, the Knights put together a late seven-point run. Palmer’s Julia Benshetler hit a three-pointer with 4:21 left in regulation to bring the Moose within one. But the Knights answered with the 7-0 run that gave Colony the 52-44 lead with about a minute to go.

Palmer freshmen Abrianna Busbey and Kali Bull gave the Moose a final chance late. Busbey hit a pair of free throws with 49 seconds left to bring the Moose within six points. Bull nailed a three-pointer with five seconds remaining to pull the Moose within three.

Smith hit a free throw during the final seconds for Colony to cement the game for the Knights, making it a two-possession game.

Palmer led early with four Carly Venzke points, but Colony built a 12-6 lead late in the first. Emma Uschmann and Kaylee King each hit three-pointers late in the first quarter to tie the game at 12.

Busbey scored eight second quarter points to help Palmer take a 25-23 halftime lead.

Carlton led Colony with 19 points and Smith added 11. Bull finished with 13 to lead the Moose. Busbey chipped in 12.

Despite the loss, Palmer first-year head coach Elgin Hollins praised his team.

“I’m super proud. They worked hard for 32 minutes. It’s exciting because it’s early,” Hollins said. “We learned a lot as a team. I’d rather have them start to figure this out right now. When March tournament time comes around, they’ll understand.”

Colony improved to 3-0 in NLC play. Palmer dropped to 0-1, and snapped a five-game winning streak with the loss.

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

Colony 53, Palmer 49

Tuesday, Palmer High School

Colony 12-11-16-14—53

Palmer 12-13-12-9—49

Colony (53) — Duguid 0 0-1 0, A. Smith 4 3-6 11, Clary 3 0-0 6, Stephens 2 0-0 4, Steiner 3 1-2 7, Carlton 7 2-10 19, E. Smith 3 0-0 6; Totals: 22 6-19 53.

Palmer (49) — Busbey 2 7-11 12, Benshetler 2 1-2 6, Bull 3 4-6 13, Venzke 3 0-2 6, King 2 0-0 5, Uschmann 1 0-0 3, Till 2 0-0 4; Totals: 15 12-21 49

Three-point field goals: Colony 3 (Carlton 3), Palmer 7 (Bull 3)