'Green And Gold’ a success
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Sports
Chanlee Bottoms knows the challenges that await heading into the 2023-24 high school basketball season.
The Lady Airedales’ first-year coach knows there will be some highs and lows.
But for one night on Tuesday, it was all systems go. Bottoms deemed Alma’s ‘Green And Gold’ night a success.
Now, for the fun part — opening the regular season at Hot Springs Lakeside.
“I thought tonight we competed extremely hard,” Bottoms said. “You can see where the transition pieces are finally starting to pay off. (But) I’m actually ready to start going against somebody else besides ourselves, and next Tuesday we face off against Lakeside.”
Junior Jordan Gramlich, who carried much of the load as a sophomore, said it was great being back on the court Tuesday.
Gramlich, her twin sister Jaden, Makinley McCartt, Kylie Poole, and Daimya Parker saw extensive playing time last season. Newcomers Izabel Benson, Chloe Gregory, and Lilly Sisemore are expected to contribute.
“I think we’re all working really hard and we all deserve to have (playing) time out there,” she said. “I feel like we’re all together now and we’re going to have a lot of chemistry this year. I think it’s going to be a really special year for everybody.”
Bottoms and Co. will be tested early, with back-to-back road trips next to Lakeside and Sylvan Hills before returning home Nov. 20 to play Clarksville.
Alma will face 6A foes Bentonville West, Southside, and Cabot in preparation for the Jan. 5 5A-West opener at Harrison.
“I thought we got up and down the floor well, we shot it well, and our team chemistry is there,” Bottoms said. “But our real test will be next Tuesday.”
Third-year coach Dominic Lincoln was happy with his team’s effort Tuesday night as well. Despite missing a number of pieces, including starters Israel Towns-Robinson, Camden Curd, and Matthew Rodgers.
But others stepped into the circle and sparkled, including senior Chris Salazar.
“I had so much fun showing out in front of the fans and friends,” he said. “Me and my teammates and coaches are excited to get back out there after what I would say was two pretty rough seasons. We’re ready to show what we’re made of.”
Lincoln and the Airedales open the season with road trips to Shiloh Christian and Sylvan Hills next week.
Alma’s first home game is slated for Nov. 20 against Clarksville.
Salazar believes the team’s deep roster showed out Tuesday.
“We’re already so good without the football kids; I’m super excited to see our full potential with the football kids,” he said. “I’m super excited about this season.”