Rogers Heritage Squeaks Past Alma

ROGERS — Rogers Heritage survived.

Alma had near misses on game-winning 3-pointers in regulation and overtime, allowing the War Eagles to escape for a 57-55 home win in a back-and-forth contest that included plenty of drama down the stretch.

Alma’s Austin Lee drained a 3-pointer with 14.2 seconds left in regulation, then the Airedales missed what would have been a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Lee hit another 3-pointer to pull Alma within two points with 31.9 seconds left in overtime, but the Airedales had another 3-pointer bounce harmlessly off the rim at the fi nal buzzer.

“We beat a really, really good basketball team tonight,” Heritage coach Tom Olsen said.

Heritage (6-2) was led by forward Connor Hirsh all night. The junior provided a steadying hand for the War Eagles and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

“I can’t say enough about Connor,” Olsen said. “He’s in the gym. He works hard. He’s got a passion to play. We’re not in this game, obviously, without him. Really coachable kid”

Hirsh made 11 of 15 free throws, including 3 of 4 in overtime. The War Eagles hit 5 of 8 free throws in overtime, while Alma (4-3) made just 2 of 7.

“We were very poor from the free throw line tonight,” Alma coach Stan Flenor said. “You’re not going to win basketball games doing that. When you have opportunities to get to the foul line and don’t convert, you don’t have anybody to blame but yourself.”

Alma will head into its Airedale Classic on Thursday after two losses to 7A/6AWest foes. The Airedales dropped an 80-63 decision to Springdale on Tuesday.

“We’ve definitely have to do some growing up,” Flenor said.

Heritage will play today against Springfi eld Central.

GIRLS

ALMA 49, ROGERS HERITAGE 46

Alma earned its second close win over a 7A/6A-West foe in four days.

The Airdalettes trailed entering the fourth quarter, but rallied for a 49-46 road win over Rogers Heritage.

Heritage (2-5) had two potential tying or go-ahead shots in the final 25 seconds, but neither dropped.

Alma (4-3) also beat Springdale High 68-61 in overtime Tuesday. Friday, the Airdalettes hit 23 of 32 free throws, including enough makes down the stretch to pull out the close win.

Hailey Ostrander sunk 9 of 10 from the line and had a game-high-tying 16 points for Alma. Emilie Jobst scored 16 for Heritage, including 11 points on 4 of 4 shooting in the third quarter as Heritage turned a 21-16 halftime defi cit into a 38-35 lead.

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