Palmer senior’s big day lifts Moose

KETCHIKAN — A squad from Washington was introduced to one of the top seniors Alaska has to offer Thursday.

Palmer senior Connor Looney scored 41 points to lead the Moose to a 66-60 win over the Gig Harbor (Wash.) Tides during the first day of the Clarke Cochrane Classic at Ketchikan High School.

Looney scored 18 of his team’s 24 fourth-quarter points to lead the Moose into the semifinal round, where they will play host Ketchikan tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Looney hit 14 shots from the floor, including three from behind the arc, and was 10 of 13 at the free-throw line.

James Nisbett added seven points in the win, while Brian Selmer and Adam Ramoth scored six each.

In girls action, a small program pulled off a big win Thursday morning.

Klawock, a 2A program, slipped past 4A Palmer 47-46 during the first day of the Clarke Cochrane Classic.

Klawock, which finished third in the 2A state tournament last year, used a pair of free throws at the end of regulation to upset the Moose, who recently finished as the runner-up in the East Anchorage Thunderbird Classic.

Palmer led late, but a Klawock shooter was fouled on an attempt at the buzzer and hit 2 of 3 free throws to push Klawock to the win.

Taylor Blake led the Moose with 26 points in the game. Caitlin Scott added six.

Cassi Williams also scored 26 in the win for Klawock. Williams hit all six Klawock three-pointers. Tonya Busse added 13 points.

Palmer will play Craig today at 10:45 a.m.

Palmer boys 66,

Gig Harbor (Wash.) 60

Clarke Cochran Classic

Thursday, Ketchikan

Palmer 13-13-16-24—66

Gig Harbor 11-9-15-25—60

Palmer (66) — Ramoth 2 0-1 6, Looney 14 10-13 41, Christiansen 2 0-0 4, Nisbett 3 1-3 7, Selmer 2 1-3 6, Niekamp 0 2-2 2; Totals: 23 14-22 66

Gig Harbor (60) — Gearhart 2 0-0 5, Glover 1 6-6 8, Hennings 1 0-0 2, Murphy 7 5-7 19, Davis 4 0-0 9, Anderton 4 01 8, Hopkins 3 3-3 9; Totals; 22 14-17 60.

Three-point field goals: Palmer 6 (Looney 3); Gig Harbor 2 (Gearhart, Anderton 1).

Klawock girls 47, Palmer 46

Clarke Cochrane Classic

Thursday, Ketchikan

Palmer 15-8-8-15—46

Klawock 10-8-15-14—47

Palmer (46) — Southwick 1 0-0 2, K. DePriest 2 0-0 4, Scott 3 0-0 6, Straight 1 2-2 4, Blake 9 6-9 26, L. DePriest 2 –0 4; Totals: 18 8-13 46.

Klawock (47) — Carl 1 0-0 2, Carle 1 0-0 2, Busse 6 1-5 13, Williams 8 4-8 26, Tomkinson 2 0-1 4; Totals: 18 5-15 47.

Three-point field goals: Palmer 2 (Blake 2), Klawock 6 (Williams 6); Total fouls: Palmer 17, Klawock 11; Fouled out: Palmer- Blake.