Moose girls rebound with wins over Kodiak

PALMER — Friday’s victory over the Kodiak Bears could not have come at a better time for the Palmer girls’ basketball squad.

It had been three days since the Moose were last on the floor. And that night saw Palmer walk off the court after a devastating 45-point loss to rival Wasilla. But on Friday, it was Palmer’s turn to notch the lopsided win, and grab back some confidence in the process.

Palmer used a 20-4 second-quarter run to race to a 65-33 victory over the Bears at Palmer High School.

“The girls were pretty down after Tuesday’s game. That was a tough game,” Palmer head coach Elgin Hollins said after Friday’s 32-point victory. “I’m glad we had a game (today) so we could rebound. Letting a loss like we had on Tuesday sit around too long would not be good for us.”

Hollins said it was good to see the confidence of his players begin to blossom again against the Bears. The Moose also got back to .500 in conference play with the win, improving to 3-3 in the Northern Lights.

“It’s very huge to get their confidence up,” Hollins said. “We’re looking forward to the next seven games ewe have. We’re going to play some tough teams. We’ve got to keep their confidence up.”

That stretch includes three road games on the NLC schedule. The Moose cap February with dates at Kenai and Soldotna, and start March with a game at Colony. Considering the tough road stretch Palmer is about to embark, Hollins said getting a victory Friday was imperative.

“To have an opportunity to play Kodiak, another conference game (after the loss at Wasilla) and come out with a win is tremendous. It’s a good start to the end of the season,” Hollins said.

Thirteen players saw time on the court for the Moose, and 11 scored at least a point. Hollins praised his team’s all-around effort, and said all who played supplied the Moose with positive contributions.

“Great effort all the way around. A lot of energy, a lot of positive energy,” Hollins said. “It’s good to see that. We need to see that.”

Abrianna Busbey hit a trio of three-pointers and led Palmer with 11 points in the win. Mallory Bradford and Kaylee King also had a three-pointer each, and added 10 and nine points respectively. Savanna Dixon chipped in eight.

Dixon helped Palmer do its greatest damage in the second quarter. The forward scored six of Palmer’s 20 second-quarter points.

Palmer followed Friday’s win with a 64-32 victory over the Bears. Palmer scored 20 points in each of the first two quarters as the Moose improved to 4-3 in NLC play. The Moose capped the game on a 14-2 run.

Emma Uschmann led Palmer with 13 points. Julia Benshetler added 11.

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

Palmer 65, Kodiak 33

Friday, Palmer High School

Kodiak 10-4-12-7—33

Palmer 17-20-17-11—65

Kodiak (33) — Fangonilo 5 0-1 13, Macatuno 1 0-0 2, Gongora 2 1-4 5, Chia 0 0-2 0, Mutch 2 0-0 4, Matautia 3 1-2 9; Totals: 13 3-11 33.

Palmer (65) — Busbey 3 2-2 11, Lee 3 0-1 7, Goers 1 0-0 2, Benshetler 2 0-0 4, King 4 0-0 9, Bradford 4 1-4 10, Eschmann 1 2-4 4, Till 2 0-2 4, Dixon 25 9-17 65.

3-point field goals: Kodiak 3 (Matautia 2), Palmer 6 (Busbey 3); Total fouls: Kodiak 10, Palmer 16.

Palmer 64, Kodiak 32

Saturday, Palmer High School

Kodiak 8-13-9-2—32

Palmer 20-20-10-14—64

Kodiak (32) — Fangalino 4 6-8 15, Macatuno 0 2-2 2, Chia 1 0-2 2, Mutch 2 0-0 5, Matautia 4 0-0 8; Totals: 11 8-12 32.

Palmer (64) — Pettingill 1 0-0 2, Busbey 3 0-2 8, Benshetler 5 0-0 11, Bull 1 0-0 2, Alley 2 0-1 2, King 3 2-3 8, Bradford 0 2-4 2, Uschmann 6 0-1 13, Till 3 2-2 8, Bowman 2 0-0 4, Dixon 0 2-2 2; Totals: 26 8-15 64.

3-point field goals: Kodiak 2 (Fangalino, Mutch 1), Palmer 4 (Busbey 2); Total fouls: Kodiak 15, Palmer 11.