Moose boys, girls open Elks hoops tourney with wins

PALMER — Palmer High freshman Clayton Southwick introduced himself to his hometown fans in a big way Thursday night.

Southwick, making his career debut in the Palmer High School gymnasium, scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Moose to a 53-45 win over North Pole during the first day of the Palmer Elks Showdown.

Southwick buried six three-pointers, including four in the first quarter, to help the Moose improve to 2-3 overall. Southwick scored 14 in the first, to help Palmer jump to a 17-10 lead.

James Blake added nine points in the victory, and Jared Yanez chipped in eight.

Blake was 6 of 10 from the free throw line, and Southwick was 5 of 8.

In girls' action, Palmer stormed to a 63-4 win over North Pole.

The Moose allowed only two points in each half. Palmer led 13-0 before North Pole was able to get the ball past mid-court, and held a 42-2 halftime lead.

Katy Bowman led the Moose with a dozen points in the victory. Peyton Murphy, Kaylee King and Emma Uschmann added seven points each.

In other action at Palmer High Thursday, the South Anchorage boys edged Thunder Mountain 56-52 in overtime and the West Valley girls beat Juneau 59-26.

Friday, the Palmer boys continue against Thunder Mountain at 6 p.m. The Palmer girls host Juneau-Douglas at 7:45 p.m.

Palmer boys 53, North Pole 45

Elks Showdown

Thursday, Palmer High

North Pole 10-14-9-12--45

Palmer 17-14-12-10--53

North Pole (45) — Campbell 1 3-5 6, Chace 2 1-1 5, Hursh 4 2-3 10, DeAngelo 4 1-2 11, Skipps 2 7-12 11, Borba 0 2-2 2; 13 16-25 45.

Palmer (53) — Ramoth 2 0-0 4; Debach 1 1-2 1, Southwick 8 5-8 27, Blake 1 6-10 9, Snickers 2 0-0 4, Yanez 3 2-2 8; Totals: 16 14-24 53.

3-point field goals: North Pole 3 (DeAngelo 2), Palmer 7 (Southwick 6); Total fouls: North Pole 19, Palmer 13.

Palmer girls 63, North Pole 4

Elks Showdown

Thursday, Palmer High

North Pole 2-0-2-0--4

Palmer

North Pole (4) — Chmura 1 0-0 2, Hudson 1 0-0 2; Totals: 2 0-0 4.

Palmer (63) — Murphy 2 1-2 7, Venzke 1 1-2 3, Glenn 2 0-0 4, Molina 1 0-0 2, Bowman 5 0-0 12, King 3 1-2 7, McCall 2 1-2 5, Uschmann 3 1-2 7, Kinter 2 0-0 4, Till 2 0-0 4, Sherman 0 1-2 1, Benshetler 1 3-4 5; Totals: 24 9-16 63.

3-point field goals: North Pole 0, Palmer 4 (Murphy, Bowman 2); Total fouls: North Pole 14, Palmer 8.