Holly Thomas and Lexie Malam each felt like throwing up at halftime. But as sick as they were, neither was going to sit out the second half of the biggest game of the season.
Even with two of its top players under the weather, the Houston Lady Tigers advanced to the cusp of winning the program’s second-ever district title. They slowed Conway’s fastbreak attack and kept their perimeter shooters at bay as they advanced into the Class 3 District 10 championship game with a 45-33 victory Wednesday night.
“We’re really excited,” said coach Brent Kell, who won his lone district championship in 2004. “Nobody expected us to be here.”
Especially with two of Houston’s top players at less than full strength.
Thomas, who missed school earlier in the week, was bent over in the locker room at halftime and had trouble breathing. But she still played nearly every minute and led the Lady Tigers with 14 points.
“I’m really proud of the way she didn’t lay down and take the second half off,” Kell said. “At halftime, she was ready to throw up. She could have easily taken the second half off and there’s not a whole lot you can say to her because she’s not feeling well.”
Lexie Malam wasn’t feeling much better. During a second-half timeout, she was holding her chest and short of breath. She played all 32 minutes and scored 14 points.
“I really thought she might end up running in the locker room (to throw up) at some point,” Kell said.
Houston (16-9) took the lead for good early in the first quarter when sophomore Kendra Welch’s jumper made it 4-3 and the advantage was 12 after Trezha Malam beat the third-quarter buzzer with a 3-pointer.
Conway (11-17) rallied within four points with a quick 8-0 run to begin the fourth quarter, but the Lady Tigers scored six straight of their own to push their advantage back to double digits. They were 7-for-8 at the foul line down the stretch as part of a 13-4 run to end the game.
“The girls were really focused,” Kell said. “I can’t say enough about how they listened and followed the game plan.”
Houston successfully took away the Lady Bears’ biggest strengths by limiting their fastbreak opportunities and challenging their perimeter shooters. Conway made six 3-pointers against the Lady Tigers’ 1-3-1 zone, but shot a low percentage.
The “big four” of Thomas, Lexie Malam, Trezha Malam and Welch scored all but one of Houston’s 45 points. Trezha Malam scored 10 and Welch added eight.
Welch also controlled the tempo at the point against Conway’s fullcourt pressure.
“Kendra did the best job she’s done all year handling the ball,” Kell said. “That type of pressure, she did just a really good job. She’s getting better with every game.”
Houston won its third consecutive game entering the championship game against Seymour, which had won 10 straight.
“I think we’re ready and are playing well as a team,” Lexie Malam said. “I’m not ready for the season to be over yet.”
Conway 7 4 9 13 — 33
Houston 11 5 16 13 — 45
CONWAY (11-17) — Cruz 2 3-6 8. Skidmore 3 1-1 10. Spaulding 1 3-3 6. Laullin 0 0-2 0. Snow 3 0-0 9. Totals 10 7-12 33.
HOUSTON (16-9) — TMalam 3 3-4 10. LMalam 4 4-4 12. Honig 0 0-4 0. Welch 2 3-6 8. Thomas 6 2-3 14. Moore 0 1-2 1. Totals 15 13-23 45.
3-pointers: Conway 7 (Snow 3, Skidmore 2, Spaulding); Houston 2 (TMalam, Welch).