Sports briefs

Moose enjoy

Hawaiian holiday

The Palmer Moose boys' basketball team spent the holiday break in Hawaii, finding time to play three games against island high school teams between marlin fishing and parasailing.

"It was a unique opportunity to take kids on a trip of a lifetime," said coach Brandon Blake. "The players also came together as a team during the trip."

The Moose defeated Honaka'a 54-52 on a shot at the buzzer by Adam Neilson Dec. 29. Zac Forsyth scored 22 points in the contest, with Neilson adding 12 points.

Palmer fell to Kea'au 56-52 Dec. 30. Forsyth scored 16 points, with Nielson adding 11 and Dustin Dubois contributing nine.

The Moose downed the Hawaii Prepatory Academy 68-39 Jan 2.

Zach Pettit scored 22 points and nabbed 11 rebounds in the game. Dubois scored 11 points and Forsyth added 10.

All ten Moose players scored in the game.

Willow sled-dog

race approaching

This year will mark the 41st annual Willow Winter Carnival. In honor of the late Earl Norris, the open class sled-dog race has been renamed the Willow Winter Carnival Earl Norris Open Class Sled Dog Race.

The race will start at 1 p.m. Jan. 26. and 27 from the Willow Community Center, Mile 69.5 Parks Hwy.

Mushers interested in entering the race can contact Jean Kornmuller at 495-5890 (evenings) or 745-1441 (weekdays).

Donations toward the race purse can be mailed to the Willow Area Community Organization, P.O. Box 1027, Willow, AK 99688.

2002 Martial Arts championships

The 2002 Alaska Open Martial Arts Championships will feature a multi-style competition for all ages and skill levels.

The tournament will be Feb. 9 at West Anchorage High School.

The competition will include more than 170 divisions in hard and soft style forms, weapons, sparring and team competition.

For registration or ticket information, call (800) 20PUNCH.

Dog pull-off

The second annual Eagle River Weight Pull championship will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 12 at Valley Feed & Seed in Eagle River.

Alaska's strongest dogs will compete to pull a weighted sled in an attempt to take the $6,000 purse.

The competition will begin with each dog attempting to pull a 200-pound sled 25 feet across the finish line in 60 seconds. After each heat, weight will be increased until only one dog remains.

Contact Anthony Valosek at 745-8700 for more information.