Airedale Prep Focus
Airedales’ House ready for big volleyball, basketball seasons
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
It can be a little dicey going from one sport to another in the summer. That’s especially true of early June, when coaches are tinkering with lineups and implementing different schemes - and doing as much as possible before the mandated Arkansas Activities Association dead period. It’s hard enough for one-sport athletes.
But two?
“I’m a little bit rusty when I switch,” Alma junior Madie House said. “It’s not the same thing. They’re both really different, so you have to adjust.”
House is a viable part of Alma’s basketball and volleyball programs. And, while her classmates were adjusting to work schedules or sleeping in, she was burning the fires at both ends.
And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Really, it just keeps me going and keeps me busy, and I love it,” House said. “It helps me grow as a person, plus I get to spend time with people that I love. Just putting on the jersey and getting to play here and having the crowd, it’s really fun. It’s really everything.”
House got her feet wet as a sophomore last season in both sports. She’s a hitter on the volleyball court, and when she sets her feet, she might become a secret scoring weapon for Chanlee Bottoms’ Lady Airedales’ basketball team as a potent 3-point shooter.
“One thing I will say about Madie is she will come up here early in the morning to get work done,” Alma assistant coach Garrett King said. “She will ask me to come up early about two or three times a week. She’ll get up here at 6:30, and she’ll get about 400 shots. Her shooting this year compared to last year has gotten more confident. She’s not scared, and the way the ball comes out of her hand looks really good. With her being so consistent right now, that’s the biggest thing for her.”
King said the Lady Airedales are growing with their off-season shooting program.
“The entire team’s grown,” King said. “We implemented a shooting program after our last game, and we’re trying to get them (players) to become more consistent shooters.”
The Airedales return four starters this coming season, including House.
And, despite a lack of seniors (Brooklynn Holt), House loves the team’s growth.
“Our chemistry also fits because everyone believes in each other,” House said. “We have to trust each other and grow together, knowing that we have each other's back, so that when the season comes, we can just focus on our opponents.”
“The biggest thing is we only lost one girl (Breella Hughes) last year,” King added. “She was a big piece of our team last year, just because of her leadership. With all the younger ones that got varsity experience, they shouldn’t be scared to go out in a varsity game anymore.”
Alma finished 12-18 overall on the hardwood last season. The school’s volleyball team went 7-17.
First-year volleyball coach Joshua Stark said he wants his team to play at a quicker pace.
“I like the change,” House said. “I think we’re going to be really good this year and grow together as people and the program.”
MADIE’S STATS
Birthday: Oct. 23, 2009 -
Shares a birthday with Johnny Carson (The Tonight Show) and Emilia Clarke, actress, ‘The Game of Thrones’
Fun Fact: I am left-handed
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite Team: Razorbacks (men’s basketball team)
Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese
Go-To-Music: Christian
Favorite Teacher: Garrett King
Favorite Teammate: ‘All of them.’
Quotable: “She’s the hardest-working person I know. She sets such a good example, and how hard she works (as an accountant) is something I really envy.” -
Madie House, on her mom Jennifer’s commitment