2/21/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma junior high girls basketball coach Angela Rushing believes she and her staff accomplished her No. 1 goal heading into the 2022-23 season — to field the best team possible.
Mission accomplished.
Alma (18-2) faces Harrison on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the regional junior high semifinals.
The Lady Airedales are the No. 2 conference seed.
“Before the season started, we had a lot of discussions about wanting to put together the best ninth team possible. I believe we accomplished that,” Rushing said. “I can’t put into words how much fun it has been to watch the girls learn and grow, not only as players but as teammates.”
The hard work has paid off.
“Working together and learning how to treat each other will take them pretty far in life,” Rushing said. “It’s been truly a blessing to be a part of something this special.”
The Lady Airedales have been led most of the season by Faith Sartor, who has an inside and outside presence. Breella Hughes, Izabel Benson, Jaidon Humphrey, Piper Powell, Makayla Mahony, and McKinzy Berna have played well, too.
“Faith has had a big year and is our leading scorer,” Rushing said. “She is a big part of our success, but if it weren’t for her teammates, she wouldn’t have that. We have multiple girls that can score and in every game we have spread the points around quite a bit. A team that works together will find ways to win, and that is just what this team has done this season.
“(An) individual commitment as a group effort.”
Olivia Hughes, Emberly Kimes, and Anna Swarnes have contributed to the team’s success.
Rushing expects her squad to respond to the pressure of the regional tournament.
“They believe in their team and they know we have to come ready to play, “ she said. “I have stressed to them that everyone comes to play when it’s tournament time, so we have to be ready when we step on the floor. Harrison is a good team, and it’s hard to beat a team three times. Our girls know what is at stake and we want to finish what we started.”
Rushing said she’s looking forward to seeing Sartor and the other girls mesh with Alma’s senior high group next season, including Jordan Gramlich and Damiya Parker.
“It will be a lot of fun seeing Faith and Jordan together in senior high,” Rushing said. “They are two very strong and aggressive players that will be hard to stop. We have some pieces coming, and I believe the future is bright moving forward.”