It’s a new era for the Palmer boys, girls hoops programs

PALMER — With the new season came a new era for both the Palmer boys and girls basketball programs. Each squad has a new head coach, with Chuck Martin guiding the boys and Elgin Hollins leading the girls. Each team took another step in its transition into the new era, placing in holiday tournaments during the winter break. And each squad is ready to make its home debut during the annual Palmer Elks Showdown this week at Palmer High School.

Martin’s boys’ squad opens the Palmer tournament Wednesday against Chugiak on the heels of a fifth-place finish in the 16-team Santa Barbara Holiday Classic in Santa Barbara, California. After suffering an overtime loss during the first round of the tournament, Palmer rebounded to win three straight games.

“I felt like we got a little better every day. We played better basketball,” Martin said.

Martin said he’s been pleasantly surprised by his team’s transition into the new era, and looks forward to continuing the work at Palmer’s home court. A coach with 28 years of experience, including 14 as a head coach in the Valley, Martin is one of a few fresh faces for the new-look Moose.

“This is a Palmer team that doesn’t look like the last Palmer team,” Martin said.

Palmer had only one returning starter, sophomore Clayton Southwick, during the tournament in California. But the Moose did see the return of senior Brady Southwick, who missed his entire junior season to injury. Palmer also welcomed newcomers such as Michael Kluting, Payton Martin and Donovan Eiman into the program.

Size could be one of Palmer’s biggest attributes this season, with the ability to have at least three players in the starting lineup who stand at least 6-foot-5. Martin said, although the Moose may not have the greatest depth, Palmer should possess the size and skill to be a difficult opponent. Martin said the Moose should also have players who can be difficult matchups for opponents, athletes who can bring versatility to the court. Both Brady Southwick and Clayton Southwick can be used inside and outside, Martin said. And at 6-6, Kluting can play on the perimeter, in addition to his inside presence. It will not be unusual, Martin said, to have a player 6-5 or taller bring the ball up the floor for the Moose.

“I’ve had to think outside the box with this group. The biggest guys on our team tend to be our best handlers,” Martin said.

Palmer is also expected to get a boost from the return of senior Chase Ferris, who also started last year. Ferris, who did not play in the California tournament, will make his season debut this week.

Overall, Martin said he likes the size and skill of his athletes, and loves their attitude.

“They want to keep getting better, keeping working,” Martin said.

Hollins and the Palmer girls will make their home debut against Thunder Mountain on Thursday after finishing third in the Clark Cochrane Classic in Ketchikan last week.

“I think it’s looking great. The kids have really started to buy into what we’ve been working on for the last month in practice,” Hollins said.

Palmer beat Craig and a team from Oroville, California, in the tournament.

Hollins inherits a Palmer team that includes a solid group of returners, a pack that includes senior leaders Kiana Till, Carly Venzke and Kaylee King.

“Pretty much everyone came back. We had only three new kids in the program, and they’re freshmen,” Hollins said.

Hollins, who was an assistant at Colony last season, said it’s particularly important to have senior leaders like Till, Venzke and King.

“It’s huge to have those three core pieces to work around,” Hollins said. “They’ve been playing together forever, and know each other really well.”

Hollins also noted Emma Uschmann, touting Uschmann as a vocal leader. Additional pieces to the Moose puzzle include the likes of Savanna Dixon, Mallory Bradford, Tiana Lee and Julie Benshetler.

Overall, Hollins said Palmer’s success can come with the Moose playing a fast-paced style, and disciplined on the defensive end.

“As aggressive as we want to play, we have to play disciplined,” Hollins said. “We’re a small team., We’ll rely on our speed. It’s no big secret we want to run.”

Both the boys and the girls will play three home games during the Palmer Elks Showdown. After seeing Chugiak Wednesday, the Palmer boys host the Mohawk Indians of Marcola, Oregon, Friday at 6 p.m., and Lathrop Saturday at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the Thunder Mountain game Thursday, the Palmer girls will play Bartlett Friday at 6 p.m. and Eagle River Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The Moose girls and boys open Northern Lights Conference play against rival Colony Jan. 12 at Palmer High.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.