Moose girls, boys grab key wins over SoHi

PALMER — After tough losses to rivals Colony and Wasilla within the last 10 days, the Palmer girls and boys basketball squads each scored a much-needed Northern Lights Conference win Saturday.

Junior Abriana Busbey scored eight of her team’s 11 fourth-quarter points to help the Moose edge SoHi 53-51. Busbey hit a pair of threes in the game, including one in the fourth. Julia Benshetler added 11 for Palmer. Catherine Uschmann chipped in eight.

Allian Schmidt led Soldotna with 14. Denali Wurst added a dozen and Danica Schmidt chipped in 10.

In boys’ action, senior Clayton Southwick drained three of his team’s eight three-pointers and scored a game-high 24 points during a 60-26 win over the Stars. Palmer led 30-11 at halftime, and extended the advantage with a 17-4 third-quarter run. SoHi was held to single digits in scoring in each of the first three quarters.

Jacob Titus also knocked down four threes of the Moose, and scored 14.

David Michael led SoHi with five.

Palmer girls 53, Soldotna 51

Saturday, Palmer High School

Soldotna 17-17-9-8—51

Palmer 15-14-13-11—53

Soldotna (51) — McGillivey 1 2-2 4, Miler 0 2-3 2, Blossom 2 2-3 6, A. Schmidt 4 6-10 14, Holland 0 3-6 3, Wurst 4 4-5 12, D. Schmidt 4 2-4 10; Totals: 15 21-33 51.

Palmer (53) — Busbey 4 9-12 19, Pettingill 2 1-2 5, Uschmann 2 3-4 8, S. Benshetler 2 2-6 6, Bowman 1 0-0 2, Giese 0 0-3 3, J. Benshetler 3 5-6 11, Alley 1 0-0 2; Totals: 15 20-32 53.

3-point field goals: Soldotna 0, Palmer 3 (Busbey 2); Team fouls: Soldotna 22, Palmer 25.

Palmer boys 60, Soldotna 26

Saturday, Palmer High School

Soldotna 4-7-4-11—26

Palmer 11-19-17-13—60

Soldotna (26) — Truesdell 1 2-2 4, Spence 0 2-4 2, Miller 1 0-1 2, Sheridan 0 0-1 0, Crowder 2 0-0 5, Tuisaula 1 0-0 2, Michael 1 3-6 5, McElroy 1 0-0 2, Kent 1 0-0 2, Chumley 1 0-0 2; Totals: 19 7-15 26.

Palmer (60) — Atkins 3 1-5 7 McLean 1 0-0 2, Titus 5 0-0 14, Rankin 1 1-2 4, Southwick 7 7-8 24, Cutright 1 2-2 4, R. Marshall 0 1-1 1, Brown 2 0-0 4; Totals: 20 12-18 60

3-point field goals: Soldotna 1 (Crowder 1), Palmer 8 (Southwick 3); Team fouls: Soldotna 17, Palmer 18.