Forget Christmas spirit – Kenzie Alm wasn’t in the giving mood Wednesday.
The Polk Middle eighth grader felt more like taking instead. Her three fourth-quarter steals and layups, the last with 12 seconds remaining, helped lift the Wolverines to a 22-20 victory over Apple Valley in a Blue Ridge Confeernce matchup at Polk.
The Knights (2-2) opened an 18-12 advantage late in the third period and took that six-point edge into the fourth quarter. But Polk Middle (1-3) ramped up the defensive pressure in the final six minutes, fueling a comeback.
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Alm figured prominently in that surge. She put together back-to-back steals and baskets in the opening 90 seconds of the final period, cutting the deficit to two. She then connected on a game-tying jumper from the wing with 2:55 remaining before Ryleigh Dill hit a pair of free throws at the 2:10 mark to give Polk a 20-18 lead.
Kate Moss’ basket with 1:52 left tied the game at 20-20. The two teams then swapped missed shots and turnovers until the final 20 seconds, when a Polk miscue returned possession to Apple Valley.
But as the Knights moved into the frontcourt, Alm once again swiped a pass, then raced upcourt and banked in a layup with 12 seconds left. The Knights were unable to answer, securing the win for the Wolverines.
Alm finished with 12 points, with Emily Dotson scoring six and Dill adding four. Dotson had Polk’s first six points, with Alm adding a basket at the buzzer to make it a 9-8 Apple Valley lead at the half.
The Knights then opened the third period with a 9-4 run, building the 18-12 advantage before Polk’s late surge.
The Wolverines are back in action Thursday, traveling to Flat Rock Middle.
