Warrior girls OT win highlights hoops sweep of Palmer

PALMER — The Palmer Moose were a bounce away from ending a longstanding winless streak against Valley rival Wasilla.

With the score locked at 38 during the final seconds of regulation, the Moose bounced a final attempt off the rim, and the Warriors used overtime to grab a 45-40 victory over Palmer at PHS Tuesday night.

Senior Shayla Johnson hit a pair of free throws late in the extra period to give the Warriors the two-possession lead and help her team improve to 2-1 in Northern Lights Conference play. Johnson and her teammates also held Palmer to only a pair of free throws during the overtime period.

Wasilla used overtime free throws to secure the win, and get past a Palmer team that rallied during the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. PHS senior Taylor Ledger hit a three-pointer midway through the fourth to cut Wasilla’s lead to 36-30. After Wasilla extended the lead to six, PHS senior Kalei DePriest cut the WHS advantage back to a pair of possessions with a layup at the 2:20 mark of the fourth.

Sophomore Carly Venzke further sliced into the lead when the sophomore slashed to the basket for the score with 31 seconds left. Five seconds later, another sophomore, Laya DePriest tied the score at 38.

Wasilla missed a 1-and-1 free throw opportunity with 17 seconds left, leaving Palmer with a final opportunity to grab the win. Palmer’s final chance went off the rim forcing overtime.

Johnson led the Warriors with 12 points in the win. Freshman McKenna Dinkel added 11 and junior Cassidy Edwards chipped in 10.

Edwards, 6 of 8 from the free throw in the game, hit four free throws for the Warriors in overtime.

A pair of Moose posted double-doubles in the loss. Leya DePriest finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kalei DePriest had 10 points and 14 rebounds. The DePriest sisters had 27 of Palmer’s 45 rebounds in the game, and 11 of Palmer’s 19 offensive boards.

Venzke finished with nine points, five assists and four steals.

Wasilla improved to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in Northern Lights Conference play. Palmer is 1-2 in the NLC.

Early run propels Warriors

PALMER — Wasilla answered Palmer’s quick start and raced to a 66-59 win over the Moose at Palmer High Tuesday night.

Palmer led 5-0 very early, but Wasilla took the lead with a 10-point run and never looked back. Junior Alex Baham, who scored Wasilla’s first seven points of the game, led Wasilla with a team-high 22.

Senior James Nisbett led the Moose with a game-high 26. Nisbett nailed six three-pointers in the contest.

For complete coverage of this game, see the Friday edition of the Frontiersman.

Wasilla girls 45, Palmer 40 OT

Tuesday, Palmer High

Wasilla 11-9-12-6-7—45

Palmer 7-8-14-9-2—40

Wasilla (45) — Johnson 4 2-2 12, Toews 2 1-6 6, Hutchins 2 2-4 6, Dinkel 4 3-4 11, Edwards 2 6-8 10; Totals: 14 14-24 45.

Palmer (40) — King 2 0-3 4, Venzke 3 2-5 9, K. DePriest 4 2-3 10, Osiensky 1 0-0 2, Ledger 1 1-2 4, L. DePriest 5 1-3 11; Totals: 16 6-16 40.

3-point field goals: Wasilla 3 (Johnson 2), Palmer 2 (Venzke, Ledger 1); Total fouls: Wasilla 16, Palmer 20.

Wasilla boys 66, Palmer 59

Tuesday, Palmer High School

Wasilla 18-19-14-17—66

Palmer 12-14-14-19—59

Wasilla (66) — Lee 0 2-2 2, Brown 5 2-2 14, Krueger 3 0-1 6, Baham 8 2-2 22, Garnett 4 2-2 10, Houck 0 1-2 1, Burn 1 0-0 3, McGregor 2 4-4 8; Totals: 23 13-15 66.

Palmer (59) — Ramoth 1 3-4 5, Jones 1 4-5 7, Ferris 1 0-0 2, Southwick 3 0-0 7, Wells 1 0-0 2, Nisbett 8 4-9 26, Yanez 3 3-7 9; Totals: 18 14-23 59.