AFNORTH freshman Tori Morris shoots a free throw during a varsity high school basketball game against the Dragons at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. The Dragons beat the Lions 34-29. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH freshman Tori Morris shoots a free throw during a varsity high school basketball game against the Dragons at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. The Dragons beat the Lions 34-29. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Kira Thorne scores against AFNORTH during a varsity high school basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Thorne had 10 points and nine rebounds in the Dragons' 34-29 victory over the Lions. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH sophomore Ashley Bailey gets surrounded by Alconbury defenders during a varsity high school basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Bailey scored nine points in her team's 34-29 loss against the Dragons. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Marissa Kastler scores against AFNORTH during a varsity high school basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. The Dragons beat the Lions 34-29. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH basketball player Lasse Bohlen looks to score against two Alconbury defenders during a high school varsity game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Bohlen had 12 points and 12 rebounds in his team's 37-34 loss against the Dragons. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Derick Caples shoots against AFNORTH defender Zachary Snider during a high school varsity basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Caples earned 14 points, three assists and two steals for his team in the 37-34 victory. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Derick Caples tries to score against AFNORTH defender Zachary Snider during a high school varsity basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Caples earned 14 points, three assists and two steals for his team in the 37-34 victory. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Nicholas Lee shoots against two AFNORTH defender during a high school varsity basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. The Dragons won the game 37-34. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Will Besterman leaps for a score against AFNORTH during a high school varsity basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Besterman led his team to a 37-34 victory with 15 points, eight rebounds and five steals. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH basketball player Lasse Bohlen scores against the Dragons during a high school varsity game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Bohlen had 12 points and 12 rebounds in his team's 37-34 loss against Alconbury. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH senior Josie Bosch shoots for a score against Alconbury defenders during a varsity high school basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Bosch earned 13 points in her team's 34-29 loss against the Dragons. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Alynna Palacios scores against AFNORTH during a varsity high school basketball game at RAF Alconbury, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Palacios finished with 11 points and eight rebounds in the 28-27 win over the Lions. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
RAF ALCONBURY, England — Alconbury’s boys and girls basketball teams rebounded from Friday losses to AFNORTH to earn a couple of close wins Saturday afternoon.
GirlsThe Dragons earned a nail-biting 34-29 win against the Lions after losing by a point the night before.
Team veteran Kira Thorne and rookie Alynna Palacios led their team to a victory coming down to the final seconds.
Thorne scored 10 points and had nine rebounds and Palacios had 11 points, eight rebounds and the final score of the game.
“It was a surprise and I’m lucky I made the layup,” Palacios said. “I was having issues through that game, so it just felt good to do something right.”
AFNORTH senior Josie Bosch led her team with 13 points, followed by her teammate Ashley Bailey with nine.
BoysAlconbury escaped with a 37-34 win against AFNORTH thanks to crafty possession and rebounded foul shots in the final seconds of the game.
“When we measure up to someone that we play back-to-back, we see the first night what we can adapt to,” Alconbury coach Ramon Palacios said. “My assistant coaches adapt and react to figure out a new game plan with me.”
The Dragons tried to hold the ball and run out the remaining seconds which led to Logan Kinsley getting purposefully fouled by AFNORTH center Zachary Snider to stop the clock. It was Snider’s fifth foul, which was a blow to the Lions.
Kinsley went on to miss his foul shot, get the rebound and draw another foul, and then rebound his next missed foul shot.
With only seconds left in the game, AFNORTH finally took possession and James Barata launched a three-pointer to tie the game but missed the shot.
Even without team leader Spencer Swapp, who’s out for a rolled ankle until next week, the Dragons were able to maintain their motivation and dwindling lead through each quarter. They were up by eight points in the first quarter, six in the second and five in the third.
Alconbury guard Will Besterman finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five steals in his team’s victory. Derick Caples also had 14 points, three assists and two steals for Alconbury.
Lasse Bohlen had 12 points and 12 rebounds and Barata had four points, four assists and six steals for AFNORTH.howard.william@stripes.com
Twitter: @Howard_Stripes
