West runs past Moose

PALMER — The West Anchorage Eagles seem to have a knack for finding another gear.

Palmer used a second-quarter effort to keep pace with West Anchorage. But late in the first half, the Eagles pulled away. West capped the half with an 8-3 run and scored 41 second-half points during a 71-47 nonconference win over the Moose at Palmer High School on Friday.

“The thing about West is they go on runs,” Marvel said. “An 8-0 run, a 10-0 run — two or three of those a game — and that just kills you.”

Palmer opened the second quarter with a five-point run and used Jackson Buresh’s eight second-quarter points to cut West’s lead to just one point.

The Moose were behind 18-11 at the end of the first, but senior point guard Christian Odom sparked Palmer by hitting a jump shot to start the second period. Buresh drove the lane to the basket, drew a foul and completed a three-point play to extend Palmer’s run to five. Buresh completed another three-point lead later in the quarter to further cut into West’s lead.

“He really came out (to play),” Marvel said.

Midway through the second, Niekamp drove the basket and scored to cut West’s advantage to 22-21. But that’s as close as the Moose would get.

Bookert and Kendal Brown combined for eight points during the second to help West end the quarter with an 8-3 run.

Marvel said West’s intense defensive pressure proved too much for the Moose, who made their 2010-11 debut with the loss.

“West is athletic all-around. They press, and press and press,” Marvel said. “It’s pretty tough (to face), especially early in the season.”

West used that defensive pressure to create opportunities on the offensive end. The Eagles scored 41 in the second half, 22 in the second quarter.

Bookert scored 14 of his game-high 27 points in the third quarter to lead the defending state champs, who improved to 2-0 with back-to-back wins over Wasilla and Palmer. Brown added 18 for the Eagles.

Senior Sean Niekamp led Palmer with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“He was just a monster,” Marvel said.

Buresh, who finished 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, added 12 points.

Marvel also praised the work of Odom, who was taxed with consistently bringing the ball down the floor against that pressure defense.

“I was proud of Christian. I don’t think his stat line showed very well, but being expected to handle the ball with all of that pressure. They just wear you down,” Marvel said.

West Anchorage 71, Palmer 47

Friday, Palmer High School

West 18-12-19-22—71

Palmer 11-12-15-9—47

West (71) — Panoam 3 0-1 6, Norman 1 2-2 4, Queen 3 1-2 8, Bookert 12 1-3 27, Hendricks 2 2-2 6, Sharp 1 0-0 2, Brown 9 0-0 18; Totals: 31 6-10 71.

Palmer (47) — Odom 2 0-0 4, Looney 1 0-0 3, Nisbett 1 0-0 2, Dean 1 0-0 3, Straight 3 0-2 7, Buresh 4 4-4 12, Niekamp 4 5-7 13, Fullmer 1 0-0 3; Totals: 17 9-13 47.

Three-point field goals: West 3 (Bookert 2); Palmer 4 (four with 1).