Boggs finds his niche with Airedales’ basketball team
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
By all accounts, most people in Arkansas aren’t that much different from those in the Sacramento, Calif. area.
But the traffic? What traffic?
“There are fewer people, to me, so that’s probably the biggest difference,” explains Alma senior Hutson Boggs.
Back in the summer of 2021, Ryan and Andrea moved their seven kids (Everett, Hutson, Easton, Amelia, Abigail, Aliza, and Lawson) moved the family from California to Arkansas.
“The beauty of the state has really caught us as a surprise coming from California, as that was not one of the reasons we left, but were happily surprised by it as we didn’t know much about the state coming out,” Hutson Boggs explained. “The people have also been awesome here as everyone is super friendly and welcoming. We’ve been blessed by great coaches and players who made the transition a lot easier by making us feel at home.”
Boggs has become an intricate piece to coach Dominic Lincoln’s 2023-24 squad by providing key minutes off the bench.
“The two biggest things are probably the weather and the people,” Boggs said. “The weather’s a lot different for sure, but it’s been good here, too. There are fewer people, but it’s been good. We’ve enjoyed it here, and we have younger siblings coming, so we hope to be here for a while.”
“That’s a testament to his whole high school career,” Lincoln said. “He’s a kid that came through the JV ranks. He played two years of that and stuck it out and grinded. Now he’s on the varsity and gets minutes, and sometimes he gets some pivotal moments for us. He can shoot it, too.”
Boggs has appeared in 13 games this season, where he’s averaging 2.5 points per game and 1.4 rebounds per effort. He had six points and a career-high four rebounds during Alma’s 53-51 loss to Sheridan last week.
On a team with a deep roster, Boggs said he’s learned to be patient.
“I think it’s all about humility,” he said. “Whether things are good or bad, it’s keeping an even keel and always doing what’s best for the team - even though it may not be the best for you. Even when I’m on the bench, I want to be in, but it’s up to the players and coaches to know what’s best.”
Boggs was strictly a junior varsity player his first two years with the Airedales. He and fellow senior backup Chris Salazar, who has also received a significant amount of playing time this season, stuck to their guns.
“I think our second group has done a good job of getting in and being ready and doesn’t just get blown away,” Boggs said. “It’s good to give our first group a break and get ready to go again.”
“I’m proud of Hutson for sticking it out because a lot of kids don’t do that anymore,” Lincoln said. “If they don’t get early success, or they don’t start early, they kind of tend to go do other things, and I understand that, but for a kid to work and wait on his moment in time and be ready for it, that tells you a lot about his character. I’m expecting him to have some big moments for us, and he already has. Against Sheridan, he brought us back, and we’re going to need that in conference.”
Alma (7-8) opens 5A-West play Friday at Harrison (12-4).
Boggs believes a tough nonconference schedule will have the team ready to face the likes of Russellville (15-1), Harrison, and Mountain Home (13-7), who boast good records.
“I think it’s built a lot of character,” Boggs said. “How to come back when we’re down, and how to build back up when we lose. Even on those tough games, I feel like we’ve grown a lot, even though we’ve lost. Hopefully, that will translate over to conference and get us some big wins.”