Kell Named SCA Girls’ Coach of the Year
Houston girls’ basketball coach Brent Kell was named SCA coach of the year Monday night.
In his 21st season at Houston, Kell guided his young team — picked to finish in the middle of the conference — to a share of the SCA title and the finals of the Class 3 District 10 tournament. Earlier in the season, he earned his 300th career victory.
Sophomore center Holly Thomas was named to the all-SCA first team after leading the team in scoring (11.8), rebounding (9.3) and blocked shots (1.4).
Senior Lexie Malam was the only Lady Tiger selected to the all-district team and was a second-team all-SCA selection. She ranked second in scoring (10.3), rebounding (5.2), assists (2.4) and steals (3.0).
Sophomore point guard Kendra Welch, who led Houston in assists (2.6) and 3-pointers (22), was an honorable mention selection. Welch also averaged 8.2 points and 2.4 steals.
For the Tigers, junior sharpshooter Michael Buckner was an all-district selection and named to the all-SCA second team. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists and 3.5 steals as Houston’s go-to player. He also made 86 3-pointers to set a new single-season record.
“Mike worked hard this year,” Tigers coach Aaron Griffin said. “He was the other teams’ focal point, so he had to work even harder against junk defenses designed to shut him down. He had a good season and I look forward to seeing what he can do after another summer to work on his game.”
Senior Tyler Pounds was named to the all-SCA honorable mention team. Pounds averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds.
BOYS’ ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
First team: Nathan Stoutenbourgh, fr, Cabool; Taylor Sirois, jr, Salem; Justin Brown, sr, Moutain Grove; Raymond Bowen, jr, Willow Springs; Scott Myers, sr, Willow Springs
Second team: Michael Buckner, jr, Houston; Matt Roberts, jr, Cabool; Soloman McNeal, sr, Salem; Eric Veatch, sr, Thayer; Justin French, sr, Liberty
Honorable mention: Tyler Pounds, sr, Houston; Kermit Smith, sr, Ava; Patrick Jesse, jr, Cabool; Cody Honeycutt, sr, Liberty; James Chambers, so, Liberty; Jeremy Hyde, sr, Mountain Grove; C.J. Smith, so, Salem; Lance Schneider, so, Thayer; Josh Kraus, jr, Willow Springs; Jacop Capeder, jr, Willow Springs.
MVP: Justin Brown, sr, Mountain Grove
Coach: Travis Wrightsman, Salem
50-inning Game on Saturday
The Houston Tigers baseball team will play its annual 50-inning game beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Coach Brent Hall said fans are welcome to come and go throughout the day. The concession stand will be open.
Houston opens the regular season March 19 in the SCA Tournament.
