Moose play way back into state tournament

HOMER — Palmer didn’t take the easiiest path to the state tournament, but that’s exactly where the Moose are headed.

Palmer rebounded from a tough semifinal loss to Kodiak late Friday to score consecutive wins over Soldotna and Kenai Saturday.

With a 63-53 win over Kenai in the Northern Lights Conference Championsips third-place game, Palmer advanced to the 4A state tournament for the first time since 2008.

“Today, we knew had to come back through the back door,” Palmer head coach Jason Marvel said by cell phone Saturday evening in Homer. “I’ve always beleived this is too good of a team to not go to state.”

Senior Sean Niekamp scored 14 points during the win over Kenai to help Palmer finish third and move into the state tourney, which starts March 17 at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.

“Niekamp, today was fabulous,” Marvel said of the senior forward, who had double digits in points and rebounds during the wins over Kenai and Soldotna.

Niekamp scored 15 points during a 55-41 victory over the Stars, which allowed Palmer to move into the third-place game.

Junior Jared Straight hit a trio of three-pointers during the first half to help his team build a 22-12 halftime lead.

“Jared Straight hit some key shots,” Marvel said.

Kenai put together 41 second-half points, including 22 in the fourth quarter. Kenai hit six three-pointers during the final two quarters. Kenai’s Colton Hayes accounted for half that total.

“The first half, defensively, we were fabulous,” Marvel said. “The second half, they really pushed the ball. They got some open looks for three and just shot the ball well. When a team like that gets going, a 20-point lead could easily get down to a tie game in a matter of minutes.”

Senior Christian Odom scored all 12 of his points in the second half to help the Moose stay in front of the Kardinals.

“I’m really proud of my boys,” Marvel said. “They saw some adversity.”

Freshman James Nisbett added 13 points in the win. He was 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Palmer used a 17-6 third-quarter run to get the win over Soldotna. The Moose were a perfect 8 for 8 from the free throw line in the period.

Niekamp led the Moose with 15.

Odom and senior Kevin Montgomery each chipped in nine points.

Kodiak moves

into final

HOMER — The Kodiak Bears brought a different game plan to the floor Friday and used it to upset the Palmer Moose 32-30.

Raphael Matuatia hit the go-ahead basket with 13 seconds left to help Kodiak advance to the NLC title game for the first time since 2004.

The Bears also scored a state playoff berth for the first time since 2006.

“They really stalled the game, did a ball control offense,” Marvel said. “They held the ball for 2, 2 1/2 minutes at a time. We kind of panicked.”

Kodiak advanced to the confernece final despite finishing just 1-9 during the regular season.

“They are a scary 1-9,” Marvel said. “They took care of Kenai (in the first round). They’re really so versitile. They’ve got a lof of weapons.”

Missed opportunities also proved fatal for the Moose, Marvel said. Marvel estimated the Moose had about 15 more shots from the floor than the Bears, but shot just 30 percent from the field. Kodiak shot about 60 percent.

Kodiak held a 16-12 lead at halftime, and was able to keep the Moose contained for the final two quarters. Matuatia scored a game-high 10 to lead Kodiak. Junior Jared Straight hit a pair of threes and supplied a team-best eight for Palmer.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.

Palmer 63, Kenai 53

NLC third-place gme

Saturday, Homer High

Kenai 8-4-19-22—53

Palmer 15-17-17-14—63

Kenai (53) — Risung 4 0-0 8, Hull 3 1-6 7, Spalding 5 1-1 11, Reilly 4 2-2 12, Wensley 2 0-0 5, Hayes 3 1-2 10; Totals: 21 5-11 53.

Palmer (63) — Odom 5 2-2 12, Looney 2 0-1 4, Nisbett 3 7-9 13, Straight 3 3-5 12, Buresh 1 0-0 2, Montgomery 2 0-0 4, Niekamp 5 4-7 14, Fullmer 0 2-2 2; Totals: 21 18-26 63.

Three-point field goals: Kenai 6 (Hayes 3), Palmer 3 (Straight 3); Total fouls: Kenai 19, Palmer 13.

Palmer 55, Soldotna 41

NLC consolation semifinals

Saturday, Homer High

Palmer 9-11-17-18—55

Soldotna 6-12-6-17—41

Palmer (55) — Odom 4 1-2 9, Looney 2 0-0 4, Nisbett 1 4-4 6, Straight 1 0-0 3, Buresh 2 3-4 7, Montgomery 3 3-4 9, Niekamp 4 7-10 15, Fullmer 0 2-4 2; Totals: 17 19-28 55.

Soldotna (41) — Fowler 2 0-0 6, Jackson 8 2-3 18, Carver 3 2-2 9, Bates 1 0-0 2, Smithwick 2 0-0 6.

Three-point field goals: Palmer 1 (Straight 1), Soldotna 5 (Fowler, Smithwick 2); Total fouls: Palmer 9, Soldotna 21.

Kodiak 32, Palmer 30

NLC championship semifinals

Friday, Homer High

Kodiak 12-4-10-6—32

Palmer 6-6-11-7—30

Kodiak (32) — Fangonilo 4 0-0 8, Cowley 2 2-2 6, Medina 0 2-2 2, Matuatia 4 2-2 10, Garner 3 0-0 6; Totals: 13 6-6 32.

Palmer (30) — Odom 2 0-0 4, Nisbett 2 0-0 4, Straight 3 0-1 8, Montgomery 3 0-0 6, Niekamp 2 1-2 5, Fullmer 1 0-0 3; Totals: 13 1-3 30.

Three-point field goals: Kodiak 0, Palmer 2 (Straight 2); Total fouls: Kodiak 10, Palmer 8.