The Air Academy Kadets fought the good fight in their overtime matchup against the Palmer Ridge Bears on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They took a 60-56 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Bears. Having run the score up that high, both teams might be doing some extra defensive drills very soon.
Defeat or not, Air Academy got some senior leadership from Max Howery and Noah Hellem. Howery scored 19 points along with five steals, while Hellem. scored 19 points along with four steals. Hellem hasn't dropped below 18 points for nine straight games. The team also got some help courtesy of Sam Brennan, who scored eight points.
Leading Palmer Ridge to victory were Logan Boyer and Jimmer Weir. Boyer scored 21 points, while Weir scored 18 points along with seven rebounds. Kauffman Hayden was another key contributor, scoring 11 points.
Air Academy has traveled a rocky road recently having lost four of their last five contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-15 record this season. As for Palmer Ridge, their victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-13.
Coincidentally, the two teams will both be playing Lutheran the next time they take the court. Palmer Ridge will host Lutheran at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, while Air Academy will host them at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
