Palmer boys finish 1-2 in SoHi basketball tourney

SOLDOTNA — Heading into the season with a young team, Palmer boys basketball head coach Brandon Blake knew the Moose would experience some ups and downs.

And that’s exactly what Palmer experienced during the Powerade/Al Howard Tournament in Soldotna over the weekend.

Freshman Clayton Southwick sparked the Moose in an impressive start, a 68-52 win over Homer during the first day of the tourney. But the Moose dropped their final two games to finish 1-2 in the event.

“We came out the first night against Homer, against a team that started five seniors, and shot the ball really well,” Blake said Monday afternoon. “We felt good about the win.”

Southwick, playing in only his second career high school game, knocked down seven three-pointers, and scored a game-high 32 points against the Mariners. Southwick hit four of his threes in the second quarter, helping the Moose outscore Homer 23-11 during the period.

Sophomore Tye Ramoth added 12 points for the Moose. Junior Chase Ferris chipped in 10.

Palmer also played a pair of Northern Lights Conference rivals during the tournament. Host Soldotna edged Palmer 53-46 on Friday. Kenai downed Palmer 66-47 during the final day of the tournament.

Blake said the Moose played better during the loss to SoHi. The game was tied at halftime, but the Stars outscored Palmer by seven in the second half.

Ramoth hit seven shots from the floor to score a game-high 18 against the Stars.

Saturday, Kenai jumped to a 26-12 lead in the first, and grabbed the 66-47 win over the Moose.

“It was a close game with Soldotna. They start five seniors and play super hard. I was pleased with our performance,” Blake said.

Blake said he saw his team experience growing pains against Kenai.

“With a young team, I expect that,” Blake said.

The Moose only had one senior in uniform during the weekend.

Kenai 66, Palmer 47

Saturday, Soldotna

Kenai 26-11-20-9--66

Palmer 12-10-12-13--47

Kenai (66) — Theisen 4 12- 9, Ivy 5 3-7 15, McKee 1 3-5 5, Brazel 1 0-0 3, Tr. Landry 1 2-2 4, Ta. Landry 2 3-4 7, Jackman 5 1-2 12, Vest 2 0-0 5, Foree 1 0-0 2, Wortham 0 4-4 4; Totals: 22 17-26 66.

Palmer (47) — Ramoth 3 0-0 8, Roth 0 1-2 1, Bebach 1 2-2 4, Ferris 4 1-3 9, Hughes-Duffy 2 3-3 7, Southwick 5 0-0 11, Blake 2 0-1 5, Snickers 1 0-0 2; Totals: 18 7-11 47.

3-point field goals: Palmer 4 (Ramoth 2), Kenai 5 (Ivy 2); Total fouls: Palmer 19, Kenai 17.

Soldotna 53, Palmer 46

Friday, Soldotna

Soldotna 9-11-17-16--53

Palmer 8-12-14-12--46

Soldotna (53) — Kuntz 1 0-0 2, Weltzin 2 4-6 8, Furlong 3 6-8 13, Phillips 1 1-2 3, Spence 0 2-2 2, Duke 7 2-2 17, Gibbs 1 0-0 2, Fowler 2 2-4 6; Totals: 17 17-24 53.

Palmer (46) — Ramoth 7 1-1 18, Debach 2 0-1 4, Ferris 2 0-1 4, Southwick 5 2-3 14, Blake 1 4-4 6, Yanez 0 0-1 0; Totals: 17 7-11 46.

3-point field goals: Palmer 5 (Ramoth 3), Soldotna 2 (Furlong, Duke 1).

Palmer 68, Homer 52

Thursday, Soldotna

Homer 10-11-15-16--52

Palmer 14-23-15-16--68

Homer (52) — Beachy 2 0-0 4, Reutov 8 0-0 17, Schneider 3 2-2 8, Brown 1 0-0 3, Rainwater 2 0-0 4, Hutt 5 6-10 16; Totals: 21 8-12 52.

Palmer (68) — Ramoth 4 12- 12, Debachy 1 0-0 2, Ferris 5 0-1 10, Southwick 12 1-1 32, Blake 2 2-2 8; Totals: 26 4-7 68.

3-point field goals: Palmer 12 (Southwick 7), Homer 2 (Reutov, Brown); Total fouls: Palmer 17, Homer 12.