12/16/22
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
The Alma Airedales will carry momentum from last weekend's Charles B. Dyer Classic into Friday's clash with unbeaten County Line High School.
Will it be enough to derail the 20-and-0 Indians?
"They're a really, really tough opponent," Alma coach Dominic Lincoln said. "It's really nothing different that what we've been doing."
Alma, 2-7, played County Line twice during team camp last summer. The first one went really well.
"We played them twice last summer," Lincoln said. "They're well-coached, and they are one of those schools that don't have football, so they play basketball year-round. They know what they're looking for with their first, second, and third option. They're very comfortable with each other."
County Line lost to Bradley in the Class A championship game in 2021. They're expected to challenge for the title this year.
Sophomores Israel Towns-Robinson and Camden Curd lead the Airedales in scoring with 14 and 13.3 points per game, respectively.
Miles Kendrick is averaging six points and two assists per game. Towns-Robinson and Curd lead the team in rebounding with eight and 3.3 per game.
Matthew Rodgers, another sophomore, leads the team with 1.5 steals per game.
Alma's never-ending but purposeful schedule won't stop with County Line. The Airedales travel to Hot Springs Tuesday and play 4A power Watson Chapel in the first round of the Sheridan Tournament on Dec. 28.
Alma opens 5A-West play on Jan. 6 against Harrison.
"Hot Springs is coached by a really good coach (Antoni Lasker Sr.)," Lincoln said. "They've got great tradition; they go to the playoffs every year. They've had a couple of semifinal appearances recently. This is another good opponent that's going to be right in the thick of it in 5A.
"If you're a good team, you're probably going to see us this year."
The Trojans beat Nashville and Sheridan earlier, and have close losses (64-57 and 60-56) to Maumelle and Conway, respectively.
Lady Airedales
Alma coach Codey Mann’s squad will try and put the brakes on a five-game losing skid today against a struggling County Line team that’s just 2-12 overall.
Senior Presli Taylor sophomore Jordan Gramlich lead the Lady Airedales in scoring with 10.1 and 10 points per game, respectively. Gramlich leads the team with 6.5 rebounds per game, including two offensive boards per game.
Sophomore Daimya Parker is averaging a team-best 2.4 assists per game. Jaden Gramlich and Zoey Kimes (both sophomores) are averaging 3.4 and 3.1 rebounds per game as well.
After Tuesday’s 6 p.m. tip with Hot Springs, Alma will face Valley View at 3 p.m. in the first round of the Sheridan Tournament on Dec. 28.