Lessons pay off for Palmer boys

PALMER — The Palmer Moose faced their fair share of struggles early in the 2008-09 season. Palmer head coach Jason Marvel knew that would happen and hoped his players would learn from those early-season tests.

Now, those lessons are paying off.

After beginning the season with six consecutive losses, Palmer has now won six straight.

“We’re slowly starting to find our identity,” Marvel said after his team’s 64-32 win over Kodiak at Palmer High School on Friday. “We’re finding out that our identity is playing hard-nosed defense.”

Palmer used that defensive approach to hold Kodiak to just four first-quarter points and three points in the third, en route to claiming the lopsided Northern Lights Conference win.

“In the first half tonight, we got every loose ball,” Marvel said. “They’re hustling and I’m very proud of that.”

Palmer held the Bears to just a pair of Mark Galindo free throws during most of the first eight minutes, and Kodiak didn’t record a bucket until Zach Watkins’ lay-up at the tail end of the first quarter.

“I told them right off the bat, you’ve got to come out and you’ve got to match the intensity or exceed it,” Marvel said. “Come out and really set the tone.”

Palmer defensive intensity led to success on the offensive end. After going up 15-4 in the first, Palmer scored 23 points in the second half.

“We knew we needed to get out on the floor and push the ball, and see if we could force the tempo a little bit,” Marvel said.

Senior Jake Hillis scored a game-high 14 points for Palmer, while sophomore Sean Niekamp added 14.

Sophomore Christian Odom scored nine points, and also collected a handful of assists at the point guard spot. Odom scored seven of his nine points late in the second quarter, but consistently worked the ball into Palmer’s post players throughout the game.

“He’s developing really nice,” Marvel said. “He’s only a sophomore, but he’s not playing like that.”

Senior Mitch Swetzof scored eight for PHS.

Palmer scores 2-fer

If the Palmer boys were fatigued after beating Kodiak by 32 points Friday, they didn’t show it Saturday, scoring a repeat win over the Bears 70-51.

The one-two punch of Shaquille Odom and Sean Niekamp pummeled Kodiak for 35 points, scoring 18 and 17 respectively. Jake Hillis also found double digits with 10 points in a game that saw the Bears play Jekyl and Hyde.

Palmer came out strong to start the first and third quarters, outscoring the Bears 42-9 for the periods, but the Bears make strong pushes of their own in the second and fourth quarters, including a 25-point explosion in the fourth.

But the deficit was too much to overcome as Palmer turned the corner on its season record with the win at 7-6.

Next, the Moose host Valley rival Wasilla on Tuesday. Tipoff is at 7:45 p.m.

Palmer 64, Kodiak 32

Friday, Palmer High School

Kodiak 4-11-3-14—32

Palmer 15-23-21-5—64

Kodiak (32) — Watkins 2 3-4 7, Domingo 2 2-2 7, Diocorres 2 1-1 5, Galindo 3 4-4 12, Solano 0 1-5 1, Garner 0 0-2 0; Totals: 9 11-18 32.

Palmer (64) — Fullmer 2 0-0 5, Titus 3 1-1 7, Hillis 7 0-0 14, Swetzof 4 0-0 8, S. Odom 2 2-4 6, Bohman 0 2-2 2, Niekamp 5 3-3 13, C. Odom 3 3-3 9; Totals: 26 11-13 64.

Three-point field goals: Kodiak 3 (Galindo 2), Palmer 1 (Fullmer 1); Total fouls: Kodiak 15, Palmer 16.

Palmer 70, Kodiak 51

Saturday, Palmer High School

Kodiak 6-17-3-25—51

Palmer 14-15-28-13—70

Kodiak (51) — Watkins 4 0-0 8, Gwley 2 3-3 7, Domingo 4 0-0 10, Diocorres 1 2-4 4, Gulindo 6 6-7 20, Solano 1 0-1 2.

Palmer (70) — Fullmer 1 0-0 3, Van Hoomissen 1 0-1 2, Hillis 5 0-0 10, Swtzof 4 1-3 9, S. Odom 7 4-7 18, Bohman 2 2-2 7, Niekamp 5 7-8 17, C. Odom 1 0-0 2, Daniels 0 2-2 2.

Three-point field goals: Kodiak 4 (Domingo 2, Gulindo 2), Palmer 2 (Fullmer, Bohman). Total fouls: Kodiak 17, Palmer 21.