Palmer boys win Elks Showdown title

PALMER — As Palmer head coach Chuck Martin continues to work with his new group of Moose, the longtime hoops mentor sees areas in need of improvement. But he’s also seeing areas the Moose have excelled.

For example, their play during the second half.

Saturday, Palmer used a 23-5 third-quarter run to score a 59-38 victory over Lathrop that gave the Moose the boys’ team title at the Palmer Elks Showdown at Palmer High School.

“We’ve been pretty good in the second half in a lot of our games. I hope we can continue to do that,” Martin said by cellphone Saturday evening. “Tonight we didn’t play well in the first half, but in the second half we were pretty good.”

Palmer’s Michael Kluting, who was named the tournament’s boys’ MVP after the game, hit a trio of three-pointers during the third quarter. Clayton Southwick added nine of his game-high 22 points in the third. Kluting scored 18 points in the win. Payton Martin added 10. Southwick and Martin were both named all-tournament.

Palmer also beat Mohawk (Oregon) and Chugiak during the tournament.

Palmer 59, Lathrop 38

Palmer Elks Showdown

Saturday, Palmer High School

Lathrop 13-10-5-10--38

Palmer 11-14-23-11—59

Lathrop (38) — Howard 3 2-3 8, Handy 3 0-0 8, Martin 2 0-0 4, Belton 1 0-0 2, Wilkin 1 1-3 3, Kng 1 2-2 4, Carlson 2 0-0 4, Titas-Milk 1 3-4 5; Totals: 14 8-12 38.

Palmer (59) — Martin 2 4-4 10, Ferris 1 0-3 2, B. Southwick 1 0-0 2, C. Southwick 7 6-13 22, Eimon 2 0-0 4, Hellert 0 1-2 1, Kluting 6 2-4 18; Totals: 19 13-26 59.