Coach optimistic about Palmer girls team

PALMER — Optimism surrounds the Palmer girls basketball program. The Moose have a seasoned group of seniors, a new assistant who is very familiar to Palmer High basketball fans, and the team is already off to a good start.

“There’s a renewed energy,” Palmer head coach Paul Reid said recently. “We’re real excited about it.”

Brandon Blake, a former longtime head coach of the Palmer boys basketball program, has joined Reid on the bench as an assistant to help lead a squad that features a great deal of experience.

“We have a lot of returning kids,” Reid said. “We have a solid group of seniors. They’re definitely the core of our team.”

Seniors Anna Koehn, Bridget Jensen, Kasara Brandenburg, Rachel Huffman and Tress Whitfield are all back on the court for the Moose, who also have junior Taylor Blake returning.

“She’s going to be a big part of our success,” Reid said of the junior guard.

Reid also noted players such as Caitlin Scott, Brooke Simmerman and Kalei DePriest.

Reid said Palmer is deep at the guard position. Koehn and Jensen are expected to share the point guard duties. The Moose also have a handful of shooting guards to put on the floor. Even though the Moose are not as deep in the post, Reid likes the combination of Huffman and Brandenburg inside.

Overall, there are a few attributes Reid really likes.

“We’re looking at our speed and athleticism as probably our biggest strengths,” Reid said. “We want to really focus on that.”

Palmer is off to a good start. The Moose started their season, winning the team title of the WYBT Holiday Classic in Kona, Hawaii, last month. The Moose also scored a lopsided 75-43 nonconference win over South Anchorage in Anchorage last Thursday.

Palmer’s first big test of the season could be tonight. The Moose host defending state champion Wasilla at 6 p.m. at Palmer High.

** Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories that preview the 2011-12 seasons of the local 4A prep basketball programs. For the Colony, Houston and Palmer boys preview stories, see frontiersman.com/sports. For stories previewing the seasons of the Wasilla boys and Wasilla girls, see future editions of the Frontiersman.