2/21/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
FARMINGTON - So close.
The Alma Airedales were the beneficiaries of some good luck in the 2022-23 season. Monday, however, three late free throws at the end of the first half proved to be too much to overcome.
Siloam Springs’ Stewart Schwainger sank all three foul shots with 0:01 on the clock and finished with 18 points to power the Panthers to a 39-34 victory at the regional tournament at Farmington High School.
Alma coach Eddie Corder’s crew finished the season at 9-11.
“This team came together after Christmas and had a chance to win every (conference) game except our first loss to Greenwood,” Corder said. “We got the chance to repay them on their home floor by whipping them by 20. We took first place Farmington to overtime at their place and beat them by 15 here. One of the hardest playing and overachieving groups I have ever coached. This group had a great season and we are proud of them.”
The Airedales took an early 7-2 lead on Easton Daily’s bucket early in the first quarter. The lead was still five (13-8) when the Panthers’ A.J. Moore drained the first of his two 3-pointers to spark a 16-5 scoring run to close the half.
Alma trailed by eight for much of the third quarter.
Dee Jones’ 3-pointer brought the Airedales to within five (30-25), and back-to-back buckets by Sam Schlegel pulled Alma to within 33-29 in the fourth quarter. Alma got as close as three (37-34) in the final quarter.
Schlegel led the Airedales with a game-high 20 points.
Jeremiah Schlegel finished with seven points, and Jones added three. Daily and Braden Kimes had two apiece.