Moose earn basketball sweep of Monroe

PALMER — Nobody in the Palmer boys basketball program knows more about Monroe Catholic basketball than senior Michael Kluting.

Thursday, Kluting enjoyed a big game against his former team.

Kluting, a senior transfer from Monroe in Fairbanks, scored 27 points during a 50-41 victory over the 3A power Thursday at Palmer High School. The 6-foot-6 forward hit nine shots from the floor and finished 6 of 7 from the free throw line en route to his game-high effort. Kluting scored seven of his team’s 15 first-quarter points, and capped the game with nine of Palmer’s 13 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Clayton Southwick added eight, and senior Brady Southwick chipped in six with a pair of three-pointers for the Moose.

In girls’ action, senior Kiana Till and freshman Abrianna Busbey scored 10 points each to help Palmer post a 65-33 win over the Rams. Senior Kaylee King and junior Emma Uschmann added nine points each for the Moose.

Palmer continues its homestand Friday with a pair of games against Northern Lights Conference rival Soldotna. The girls play at 5:15 p.m. and the boys game is slated for 7.