Palmer boys finish 3rd in NLC tourney

KENAI — The future looks bright for the Palmer Moose basketball program.

After winning only three conference games during the regular season, Palmer scored its second win in three days Saturday to place third in the Northern Lights Conference.

Palmer posted a 67-58 win over the Soldotna Stars during the final day of the Northern Lights Conference Championships at Kenai Central High School.

With the victory, the young Palmer team, which features three underclassmen starting, caps the 2014-15 season on a positive note. And head coach Brandon Blake is already excited about next year.

“It’s a great win, momentum going into next year,” Blake said by cellphone from Kenai. “It’s a nice way to finish the season. We’re heading in the right direction.”

Palmer, which has only one senior on the roster, entered the tournament as the fifth seed. Saturday, Palmer beat a Soldotna team that has seven seniors, and a Stars squad that beat the Moose three times during the regular season.

Sophomore James Blake scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Moose. Jesse Snickers scored 12, and Tye Ramoth and Clayton Southwick chipped in 10 each. Blake, Ramoth and Snickers each hit three-pointers during Palmer’s 24-point third quarter.

“The third quarter was just outstanding,” Brandon Blake said. “We had great stops on the defensive end and shared the ball.”

Six different players scored for Palmer in the third quarter.

James Blake also consistently reached the free throw line for Palmer, hitting 12 of 14 attempts.

Overall, Brandon Blake said he’s very pleased with his team.

“Obviously, we would have liked to make it to state, but I can’t be more happy with the effort and attitude,” Blake said.

Palmer girls fall

KENAI — The Soldotna Stars scored a 56-44 win over Palmer during girls’ consolation action Friday at Kenai Central.

Lindsey Wong scored 25 points to lead Soldotna. Katy Bowman led Palmer with 14 points. Kiana Till added 10.

Palmer boys 67, Soldotna 58

NLC third-place game

Saturday, Kenai

Soldotna 9-13-12-24—58

Palmer 13-7-24-23—67

Soldotna (58) — Weltzin 8 2-6 18, Furlong 3 1-2 8, Phillips 1 2-6 4, Spence 7 3-4 17, Fowler 1 3-6 5, Trammell 2 0-0 6; Totals: 22 11-24 58.

Palmer (67) — Ramoth 4 0-0 10, DeBach 1 2-5 4, Ferris 2 1-2 5, Southwick 3 4-6 10, Blake 4 12-14 22, Snickers 4 2-7 12, Yanez 2 0-0 4; Totals: 28 21-34 67.

3-point field goals: Soldotna 3 (Trammell 2), Palmer 6 (Ramoth 2, Blake 2, Snickers 2); Total fouls: Soldotna 29, Palmer 20.

Soldotna girls 56, Palmer 44

NLC consolation game

Friday, Soldotna

Soldotna 12-12-14-18—56

Palmer 6-2-18-18—44

Soldotna (56) — Rouse 1 0-2 2, Nelson 2 0-0 5, Shaw 5 2-3 12, Wong 7 8-12 25, Ramsell 1 5-8 7, Miller 2 1-3 5, Totals 18 16-28 56.

Palmer (44) — Venzke 1 0-0 3, Bowman 3 7-12 14, King 1 4-6 6, McCall 2 0-0 4, Till 4 2-5 10, Sherman 0 0-0 0, Millard 3 1-2 7. Totals 14 14-25 44.

3-point goals — Soldotna 4 (Wong 3, Nelson 1); Palmer 2 (Venzke 1, Bowan 1).