Alma Sports Notebook

Lincoln, and Airedales get defensive

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

Alma boys basketball coach Dominic Lincoln likes the flow of his offense. 

But this summer it’s been about clamping down on defense, too. 

The Airedales went 3-0 during a quick team camp competition at Pottsville last week. Alma was in Charleston on Monday. 

“We saw what we needed to see defensively,” Lincoln said. “The competition wasn’t as stellar, and I understand that, but I saw what I needed to see on defense. I think we’ve got a chance to be one of the best defenses in the state and also in our classification. I’ve really tried to challenge them on the defensive end to be dominant and them (opponents) earn everything.”

The Airedales faced stiffer competition at the UAFS camp. 

“Sometimes it’s good to see that; to bring us down a little,” junior Easton Boggs said. “I think that was good for us.”

“We saw a lot of good teams; the Fayetteville, the Farmingtons,” Lincoln said. “We had a good look at Farmington. I thought we had a chance to win that game. I feel great where we’re at right now; I love the direction we’re going.”

The Airedales, 21-10 a year ago, return all five starters from 2023-24, and will only get stronger with the addition of a strong freshman class.

BASEBALL 

Alma right-hander Braden Green had to work for it but managed to spin three scoreless innings in last week’s American Legion baseball game at Clarksville. 

In addition to playing an abbreviated schedule with the Airedales, Green is also logging time with a team of players from the River Valley area. 

“One of my goals this summer was to work my off-speed pitches and hit corners with my fastball,” Green said. “You can’t throw it right down the middle and give up gap shots. We played well tonight, despite some errors. I pitched decently; it wasn’t my best performance. 

“But if we keep working, we’ll get better for next season.”

Carson Curd pitched two innings a week ago, not allowing an earned run. Senior Kyle Peters pitched a scoreless inning last week as well.  

Also last week, Camden Curd went three innings for the win against Van Buren. Left-hander Landon Taylor also tossed three scoreless frames, allowing one hit and striking out one.

SOCCER

Alma soccer coach Cory Sturdivant announced that former Lady Airedale soccer standout Emily Banks has been hired as a soccer assistant at Cabot. 

Banks played on the team’s short 2020 team whose hot start was forever cut short by the COVID pandemic. Banks is a 2020 AHS grad. 

BASKETBALL 

Alma girls basketball coach Chanlee Bottoms said the team was excited about playing in the UAFS Team Camp last Friday. 

“We’ll see some good people from Muskogee and Springdale, for sure,” she said.

Alma was also set to face former guard Kiara Owens, who will play for her third school next season at Springdale. She spent the 2023-24 season at Rogers.