2/22/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
GREENWOOD — Alma used another second-half comeback to earn its third 5A-West victory of the season. This time, they did so in overtime.
Israel Towns-Robinson had 18 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Airedales to a 59-55 win over the Greenwood Bulldogs.
The Airedales (6-21, 3-10) wrap up the regular season Friday against Mountain Home.
Down 12 (36-24), the Airedales forced OT with a 25-13 second-half run — then had to hold their breath as the Bulldogs’ Dawson Holt launched a potential game-winner from beyond the 3-point line as the fourth-quarter buzzer sounded.
Alma led by as many as five twice in OT, including 55-50 on Towns-Robinson’s breakaway slam dunk. He had four steals to go with his double-double.
Camden Curd iced the victory with two free throws with 3.8 left in overtime.
“We’ve had a lot of things not go our way, and tonight we had something go in our favor,” Alma coach Dominic Lincoln said.
“All year long, we’ve been close … we just didn’t make the plays when we needed to,” Curd said. “Coach Lincoln said in the locker room it feels great to actually make the plays when we need to. We made plays when it mattered.”
The Airedales have lost five conference games by nine points or less, including three by six or fewer.
Matthew Schlegel and Matthew Rodgers finished with nine and eight points, respectively. Rodgers also added four assists. Easton Boggs finished with six points for the winners.
Carmani Smith had five assists and five big points, including a game-tying layup as part of an 8-0 run that led to Alma’s first lead (49-47).
Holt and Aiden Kennon led the Bulldogs (6-21, 1-12) with 19 points apiece.
Greenwood 92, Alma 36
GIRLS — The Lady Airedales used a 9-0 scoring run early in the first quarter to help pull within four (18-14) against No. 1 Greenwood Tuesday night.
But the Lady Bulldogs erupted for 54 points over the next two quarters to secure a 92-36 win over the Lady Airedales.
Jordan Gramlich led the short-handed Lady Airedales with 14 points.
Alma (6-20, 2-11) will conclude the regular season Friday against Mountain Home on Senior Night.