In less than two years, Kyle Poynter has scored more points than anyone in the history of Houston High School boys’ basketball.
Poynter scored his 1,033rd career point during the Tigers’ 51-49 victory Friday night at Thayer to become the program’s all-time leading scorer.
Poynter, who scored 30 points, surpassed the previous mark of 1,019 set by David Adams from 1970-73. A senior transfer from Lebanon, Poynter has played less than two full seasons at Houston.
“I knew that I was close,” Poynter said, “but I’m first and foremost glad we got a win tonight.”
Poynter won’t catch the school’s all-time record, though. Patti (Wright) Roberts scored 1,953 points from 1987-91 with the Lady Tigers.
Poynter passed Adams with 1:39 left in the first half when he grabbed a loose ball under the basket and easily scored. Poynter needed 17 points to set the new mark, and he reached that total by halftime.
“I had an idea at the start of the game,” Poynter said of chasing the record. “Once the game started and after a couple trips up and down the floor, I was just worried about the home team score and away team score.”
Poynter has poured in points at a record pace since debuting with 26 in last year’s season opener against West Plains. He has averaged 24.0 points in 43 career games, highlighted by a 47-point outburst last year against Naylor in the Liberty Tournament.
He has reached double digits in all but two games. One of those games — last year’s season finale — he left early with an injury.
“I’m proud of him and thankful to be able to coach the young man,” Hall said. “He’s hard for anybody to stop in the conference.”
Poynter’s biggest points against Thayer came from the foul line in the final seconds.
With Houston ahead 47-46, Poynter made a pair of free throws with 28 seconds left to extend the lead to three. After Thayer made a 3-pointer to tie it, Poynter again stepped to the foul line with 13 seconds to go and converted both.
Thayer missed a point-blank shot and desperation 3-pointer as the Tigers (9-9) escaped with their fifth consecutive win.
“We were tough enough — and mentally tough enough — to hold off Thayer,” Hall said.
Box score
Friday’s game
Houston 14 8 14 15 — 51
Thayer 13 13 9 14 — 49
HOUSTON (9-9) — Van Horn 2 1-2 6. KyPoynter 11 8-12 30. Setters 3 0-0 7. KaPoynter 2 0-0 4. CScheets 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 9-14 51.
THAYER — Barbee 2 0-0 4. Dennis 6 1-4 14. Shipp 8 0-0 18. Smith 3 0-0 9. Huckabee 2 0-0 4. Totals 21 3-6 49.
3-pointers: Houston 2 (Van Horn, Setters); Thayer 4 (Shipp 2, Dennis, Smith).