Alma’s Bottoms happy with summer progress 

By Kevin Taylor 

Alma Schools 

Green grass and warm breezes don’t necessarily translate to softball and baseball. 

It's an important time for Alma girls basketball coach Chanlee Bottoms. 

The Lady Airedales quietly went 7-2 in their first two summer team camps, including a 3-0 run at the Ozark Team Camp this week. 

Summer basketball games are always important, but even more so with the loss of Faith Sartor (Bentonville West) and Anna Swarnes (Missouri).

“We did lose Faith and Anna, and that was big, but we got a move-in from Scanton, Brooklyn Holt, who gives us tremendous scoring,” Bottoms said. “Summer camp is all about finding who we are right now, and who we will be in February. That’s the big thing — developing that team chemistry and getting them going.”

Holt canned seven 3-pointers in the team’s previous team camp. 

Sophomore Lauren Settle and freshman Olivia Hughes could have an impactful contribution next season. Settle is a 6-foot-3 post, giving Alma some long sought-after height. Hughes, whose older sister Breella is a defensive stopper, is a standout (and true) point guard). 

“Lauren Settle is going to help us as our 6-3 post player,” Bottoms said. “She’s still trying to find her touch and balance around the rim. But we’re going to be working with her nonstop. Then we have Olivia Hughes, a ninth grader, who is moving up. She’s an unbelievable point guard. She knows our offense well and she can score, too. You’ve got Jaden Gramlich and Haven Welch returning, too, that will help us.”

Four-year starter Jordan Gramlich is back for her final tour. The versatile Gramlich can play all five positions and figures to add to her career scoring numbers. 

“Here, we get better and find our chemistry,” Gramlich said. “We’re trying to figure out our team and how we can progress. We’re working on our defense and communicating together.”

Junior Chloe Gregory is eager to prove herself, too, Bottoms said. 

“She had a broken finger, so she is going to help us along with Breella Hughes,” the coach said. “They’ll guard you and be two of our stoppers. Those are kids who know their role and you can count on them.”

The roster includes senior Daimya Parker, junior Jaidon Humphrey, and sophomores Jaeda Cahoon and Matilyn Dunn.