New identity

PALMER — The Palmer Moose boasted one of the deepest senior classes in the Northern Lights Conference last year — maybe even the state.

But after leading the Moose to 18 regular season wins, a third-place finish in the NLC tournament and a fifth-place place at state, that six-player senior class is gone, leaving head coach Paul Reid with a number of holes to fill.

Despite the loss of six seniors, three of whom were starters, Reid isn’t hitting the panic button.

“I’m really optimistic,” Reid said on Monday. “We’ve got a core of kids with experience under their belt.”

Reid admitted the Moose will have their growing pains. There will be adjustments. But he also believes the 2008-09 edition of the Moose has the potential for success.

Palmer’s greatest tasks during the young season will be filling the void left by four graduated forwards and finding their post presence.

“We’ve got a lack of size, but we’re scrappy,” Reid said.

Reid has already looked to senior Mikaela Bolling to help inside, moving the versatile athlete from the perimeter to the paint.

“The kid has played guard her entire life and now she has her back to the basket,” Reid said.

Bolling is among the tallest players on the roster, one of three Moose listed as 5-foot-10. Reid said he’s also looking to senior Rashayne Zimmer to provide a presence inside.

Among the other changes is junior Jaimi Cox’s move back to point guard. Even though she’s played the point most of her basketball life, Cox was used at forward last year.

“There’s a growth curve that this team has,” Reid said. “But they’re accepting their roles very well.”

Also returning for Palmer are senior guards Kelsey Campbell and Julianna Mangelsdorf. Campbell, a varsity regular since her sophomore season, has long been known as Palmer’s outside threat, and Mangelsdorf is a key reserve who excels on the defensive end, Reid said.

Reid said the key for Campbell is getting her open with the ball.

“Most opponents we see know her and will put their best defender on her,” Reid said.

Palmer’s junior class includes guard Shawna Thein and forward Erin LaMere, and Reid noted sophomore Kendal Venzke.

The Moose may not have a tremendous amount of size, but Reid said Palmer could actually create matchup problems for bigger opponents with a five-guard offense.

“I’ve been selling to (the players), a lot of times there will be mismatches, slower footed defenders guarding them,” Reid said.

Overall, Reid said the Moose will have to really rely on the team concept this year.

“That’s what I’ve really been trying to sell to the kids,” the head coach said.

While the Moose are busy making adjustments, Palmer has had little time to actual take those adjustments into game situations. Palmer (0-3) has played just three times this season, suffering a pair of losses at Juneau in December and a loss to Wasilla last week.

Palmer gets back on the court Thursday, facing Service in Anchorage. On Saturday, the Moose get their first home game of the season when they host Chugiak.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.