Taylor Franklin and Alissa Bowlin combined for 25 points to lead the Houston eighth grade girls’ basketball team past Mountain Grove 33-26 Saturday afternoon in the title game of the Mountain Grove tournament.
The Lady Tigers outscored Mountain Grove 15-8 in the fourth quarter to secure the championship.
“We struggled offensively for three quarters,” Houston coach John Jordan said. “But give our kids credit. They stepped up in the fourth quarter and willed themselves to a win. They just were not going to lose.”
Franklin led the Lady Tigers with 13 points and Bowlin scored 12. Four other players had two points apiece.
Houston overcame 11-for-26 shooting at the foul line.
“I’m most proud to see this great group of kids leave their middle school careers as winners,” Jordan said.
n Thursday’s semifinal, Houston raced ahead of Cabool 16-0 in the first quarter and cruised to a 41-10 victory.
Franklin, Sierra Weaver and Ty Bisker led Houston with eight points apiece.
“I thought we played extremely well,” Jordan said. “We passed the ball better than we have passed it all year, which led to easy baskets. Overall as a team it was the best we have shot the ball from the perimeter.”
Box scores
Saturday’s game
Houston 8 4 6 15 – 33
Mtn. Grove 5 8 5 8 – 26
HOUSTON – Taylor Franklin 13. Alissa Bowlin 12. Kaylea Preheim 2. Sierra Weaver 2. Sydney Cremer 2. Ty Bisker 2.
Thursday’s game
Houston 16 10 11 4 – 41
Cabool 0 4 4 2 – 10
HOUSTON – Sierra Weaver 8. Ty Bisker 8. Taylor Franklin 8. Alissa Bowlin 5. Belle Knarr 4. Sydney Cremer 4. Courtney Mutzebaugh 2. Kayla Guynn 2.
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