11/18/22
Alma girls basketball coach Codey Mann felt like his Lady Airedales played about as well as they could in the second half of Thursday’s 49-41 loss to Sylvan Hills.
Trailing by as many as 17 points in the final half, Alma got within three twice in the final three minutes.
Sophomore Jordan Gramlich posted a double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) in the team’s 2022-23 season opener.
Sylvan Hills (2-0) was just a little better, thanks in part to senior Jianna Morris’ 27-point effort.
“We scheduled a tough nonconference schedule for a reason,” Mann said. “We wanted these kids to grow up quick. We scheduled two really athletic teams to start off the season and I’ve been really proud of them.”
The Lady Airedales, who don’t play again until Dec. 1 (Benton Tournament), trailed 7-0 at the start of the game and, despite pulling to within four (17-13) in the first half, couldn’t seem to get going until late in the third quarter.
By that time, Sylvan Hills had methodically pushed its lead to 33-16.
Alma finished the game with a 25-16 push, sparked by Jordan and Jaden Gramlick, and Daimya Parker.
“I love the effort,” Mann said. “It’s (not winning) not what you want, but you can’t fault the effort.”
Alma finished 34.3 percent from the floor, including 30 percent (7-of-23) from the 3-point line.
Parker had eight points and Presli Taylor and Jaden Gramlich finished with six points apiece.
Sylvan Hills 61, Alma 48
BOYS — Sylvan Hills guard DaCarter Coleman turned out to be as good as advertised.
The senior standout scored 10 points to pace the Bruins to a 61-48 win over Alma Thursday at Charles B. Dyer Arena.
The Airedales (0-2) didn’t help their cause by making just 8-of-40 3-point attempts.
“I was proud of effort Tuesday (Northside), and I know it was a quick turnaround, and Sylvan Hills is really good; they’re picked to finish in the Top 5 in 5A,” Alma coach Dominic Lincoln said. “But to me, the thing I was disappointed in, is playing hard. I’ve seen us play a lot harder than that. I know we’re young, and we’re going to have those rollercoaster moments, but that’s part of our process.”
Alma outrebounded the taller Bruins 39-33. They had fewer turnovers, more assists, and took three more offensive chargers than Sylvan Hills, too.
But the Airedales, who never led, managed just two third-quarter field goals while being outscored just 23-20 in the final half.
Freshman Easton Boggs had 14 points on 5-of-22 shooting. But he was just 2-of-17 from the 3-point line. Sophomore Camden Curd had a career-high 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting.
He was 4-for-12 from behind the art and had a team-high five rebounds.
The Airedales face Har-Ber Saturday at 12 p.m. at Northside High School.
“We’re going to have to own this one and come in tomorrow and get back to work, because Saturday we’ve got Springdale Har-Ber, another team that’s going to challenge us,” Lincoln said. “I’m putting a lot in front of these young guys but I know they can handle it. I expect them to respond tomorrow.”
Charleston 43, Alma 40 (OT)
BOYS — Alma’s junior high team dropped a 43-40 overtime decision Thursday at Charleston High School.
Sam Schlegel had 13 points and three steals to pace the Airedales. Alma plays Dardanelle at 2 p.m. Saturday in the third-place game.
Also for the Airedales, Jeremiah Schlegel had nine points and six rebounds, and Easton Daily and Kade Fagan added eight and six points, respectively. Fagan had some key defensive plays in the final minutes, including a charge that helped take the game into overtime.