Balanced Airedales flex muscles in opening-season 56-44 victory
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
SPRINGDALE — Alma coach Dominic Lincoln likes playing as many players as possible for all the obvious reasons.
If someone is off, someone is surely on.
That was the recipe Tuesday when senior Chris Salazar scored six of nine points during an integral part of the game to help the Airedales to a 56-44 season-opening win over Shiloh Christian.
The Airedales travel to Sylvan Hills on Friday and return home on Nov. 20 to play Clarksville.
“We don’t have a rotation set, but we’re deep this year — we played 11 guys today. Chris Salazar, Hutson Boggs, Eddie Tate, and Tyree McGill all contributed,” Lincoln said. “We got buckets and played well. It’s a real (good) problem to have. If you don’t make plays in practice, we have people that we can put out there. I have full confidence in anybody on our team right now.”
Sophomore Easton Boggs recorded the Airedale's first double-double for the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Miles Kendrick hit back-to-back 3-pointers as part of a 13-3 run to open the second half and finished with 12 points.
Carmani Smith finished with eight rebounds, five points, and a team-high four assists.
“I hit two threes and it was really big at the time,” Kendrick said. “We’ve been working on it in the gym all year. It just felt natural today.”
Junior Camden Curd, fresh out of football, finished with 11 points and was a crisp 2-of-4 from the 3-point line.
Lakeside 48, Alma 38
GIRLS — The Lady Airedales opened the Chanlee Bottoms coaching era with a tough 48-38 loss to Hot Springs Lakeside Tuesday.
Jordan Gramlich led the Lady Airedales with 12 points. Makinley McCart had six points, and Daimya Parker and Lilly Sisemore finished with five apiece.
Alma’s Izabel Benson and Jaden Gramlich finished with four points each.
The Lady Airedales travel to Sherwood Friday to face Sylvan Hills.
Alma JH 54, Greenwood 25
BOYS — Luke Stogsdill scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds during Alma’s 54-25 win over Greenwood Wednesday at the Charleston Tournament.
Alma (2-0) will face Southside Thursday.
Cade Moore added 10 points and pulled down two rebounds and had three steals off the bench. Chase Wood, Boaz Benson, and Carson Hamilton combined for 15 points off the bench. The Airedales' bench outscored Greenwood, 27-25.
Drake Ciampoli added six points and three steals for the winners.