Warriors edge Moose in another game decided in final seconds

ANCHORAGE — With buzzer-beaters deciding a pair of regular-season meetings, the Palmer Moose and Wasilla Warriors could probably imagine how their state tournament match might end up.

A shot at the horn didn’t decide the outcome, but the game was tied during the final seconds of regulation.

Wasilla seniors Wade Stahle and Cole Schierman were a combined 4 of 4 from the free-throw line during the final 21 seconds and helped the Warriors grab a 43-39 win over the Moose in the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Basketball Championships consolation semifinals at the Sullivan Arena on Friday.

“It takes senior effort and leadership to step up and make big plays,” Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen said. “And we believed in them.”

The Warriors used the win to move into the fourth-place game, a match in which they scored a win over Juneau-Douglas on Saturday. Palmer’s season came to an end with the loss.

Regardless of outcome, Palmer head coach Jason Marvel knew Friday’s battle would be tight.

“We battled all year. All three games came down to the wire,” Marvel said. “I’m proud of (our team). You can’t ask for a better high school basketball game than that. We had opportunities at the end. We fought hard. We just came up short.”

Palmer used a 15-8 third-quarter run to take a slim 32-31 lead into the final quarter. Wasilla started the final frame with a 6-0 run to take the 37-32 lead, but Palmer marched right back, using back-to-back three-pointers by sophomore Connor Looney and senior Trey Fullmer to take a lead of their own.

Senior Kevin Montgomery hit a free throw with 35 seconds left to tie the game at 39, but the Wasilla seniors capped the game with four straight free throws.

Wasilla junior Connor Devine led the Warriors with 12 points in the win and junior Braydon Kuiper added 11, while senior Joel Quenga chipped in nine.

Juniors Jared Straight and Jackson Buresh scored nine and eight for Palmer respectively.

Wasilla 43, Palmer 39

4A boys consolation semifinals

Friday, Sullivan Arena

Palmer 15-2-15-7—39

Wasilla 13-10-8-12—43

Palmer (39) – Odom 4 0-0 8, Looney 2 1-2 6, Straight 3 1-1 9, Buresh 2 3-3 8, Niekamp 2 1-2 5, Fullmer 1 0-1 3; Totals: 14 6-11 39.

Wasilla (43) – Schierman 2 2-2 6, Quenga 3 1-1 9, Kuiper 4 3-5 11, Stahle 2 0-0 5, Devine 4 4-8 12; Totals: 15 10-16 43.