Airedales hold off Siloam

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools

SILOAM SPRINGS — Drew Battles lost a basket Tuesday.

But the Alma Airedales won the game, anyway.

Battles finished with 22 points and junior Logan Taylor added five first-half 3-pointers in the Airedales' 61-57 victory against Siloam Springs.

"I don't I've ever made a basket that didn't count," Battles said.

Leading 41-36, Battles draining a 3-pointer from the right corner, right next to the Airedales' bench.

Alma (8-3, 2-1) rebounded from last Friday's disappointing home loss to Vilonia with some torrid 3-point shooting. Taylor, who had 25 in last week's win over Mountain Home, then finished 0-for-7 against Vilonia, made his first four 3-pointers and finished 5-for-8 with three rebounds and two assists.

Battles continued his big senior season by making critical shots. He was 6-of-10 from deep. The Airedales, as a team, shot 68 percent (13-for-22) from beyond the arc.

Jacob Coursey had a career-high eight points and also connected from deep. Hunter McAlister finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He, too, made a 3-pointer.

McAlister also had seven rebounds and six assists.

Coursey was 3-of-4 from the field and also dished out a team-high seven assists.

The Airedales, who host Russellville Friday, and will then head to Van Buren next Wednesday. Due to COVID-19, the Alma girls didn't play Tuesday and won't be on the floor Friday, either.