1/9/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Halena Dugger didn’t score in the first half of Friday’s win over Harrison.
But she on rebounding.
“Even if I didn’t score any points in the first half, I’m just glad I could help my team in the second half,” Dugger said. “I’m just glad I could help the team and get rebounds.”
Dugger grabbed a career-high nine rebounds and scored all seven of her points in the final half of the Airedales’ 39-34 win over cold-shooting Harrison.
Alma held the Goblins to just 13 field goals (13-for-47), including just 1-for-17 from the 3-point line. Harrison managed just 19 points through three quarters.
Alma’s Presli Taylor hit four first-half 3-pointers and finished with 12 points for the winners. Lydia Mann also played well, contributing seven points, three rebounds, and three steals.
“She’s been doing awesome,” Dugger said. “She’s been a great help this year. I just hope she can stay healthy.”
Alma led wire-to-wire in Friday’s victory. The Lady Airedales built a 33-21 lead on Dugger’s only field goal, a 3-pointer from the top of the circle, before Harrison rallied late.
Dugger and Daimya Parker knocked down four crucial free throws in the final minutes.
“It feels great,” Dugger said. “Just coming together as a team and playing nonconference games helped us become better as a team.
Alma (5-8, 1-0) travels to Siloam Springs on Tuesday.
Harrison 54, Alma 46
BOYS — Another strong finish for Alma wasn’t enough to help them recover from a slow start...
Down 21 at the half, Alma rallied to within six in the final half before falling to the Goblins, 54-46, in the 5A-West opener for both teams.
Alma (3-12, 0-1) held the Goblins to just 18 second-half points.
But Goblins’ Kason Hilligoss hit four of his team-high five 3-pointers in the first half as Harrison (11-5, 1-0) built what turned out to be an insurmountable 38-17 halftime lead.
Alma was just 1-of-9 from the 3-point line.
Camden Curd scored 13 of his team-high 15 points in the final half. Matthew Schlegel and Carmani Smith added 10 and eight points, respectively.
“The first half we’re just not getting it done,” junior Branson Brogan said. “Pretty much every second half we’re coming back, so it’s nothing special. We just have to compete in the first half a lot better and play better defense.
“They (Harrison) scored 18 points in the second half and 38 in the first half.”