Devin Garrett scored a career-best 31 points to lead the Houston eighth grade boys’ basketball team to an easy 47-27 victory Monday against visiting Cabool.
It was the sixth consecutive victory for the Tigers, who improved to 7-3.
“Our offensive execution was the best it has been all year,” Houston coach Willy Walker said. “We passed the ball very well all game. Everyone was involved and playing as a team.”
Kolby Walker scored six points for Houston, which led 18-7 after the opening quarter and by 20 at the half. Tanner Cantrell and Jordan Russell scored four points apiece.
“We applied a lot of ball pressure early in the game that resulted in high-percentage shots and a big lead,” Walker said.
On Thursday, Garrett scored 12 points and Walker added 11 in a 32-23 victory at Salem. Cantrell had six points.
SEVENTH GRADE: D.J. McNew poured in 22 points as the seventh grade boys’ basketball team rebounded from its second loss with a 54-45 win Monday against Cabool.
The Tigers (8-2) had a slim 24-23 lead before outscoring Cabool 30-22 in the second half.
“We were unable to execute our defensive strategy against Cabool,” Walker said. “We made adjustments going to a couple of different zone defenses that limited dribble drive penetration down the lane in the first half, which was giving them easy, high-percentage shots.”
Brothers Stetson and Whitley Welch scored eight points apiece for Houston. Keegan Spurlin and Austin Shock each had four points.
Walker said he was pleased with his team’s execution down the stretch of a close game.
“We had some players step up and make some key shots to keep the momentum in our favor,” he said. “We handled the ball and executed our offense late in the game to close the door on them. Knowing the situation — when to score, taking care of the ball and making free throws — was key for us.”
On Thursday, the Tigers were 3-for-18 at the free-throw line in a 29-20 loss at Salem. It was Houston’s second loss of the season.
McNew had five points for the Tigers, who trailed 8-2 after the opening quarter and by 10 at the half. Nathan Poynter added three points.
SEVENTH GIRLS: Sarah Kelley scored 12 points and Autumn Walker added 10 as the Houston seventh grade girls opened the Liberty Tournament Monday with a 38-14 win against Mountain Grove.
Makayla Koch had eight points for the Lady Tigers, who led 22-10 at the half and by 22 entering the fourth quarter. Laken Neal scored four points, and Chloe Morning and Shelbi Cremer had two apiece.
“I thought the kids played very hard and hit their shots,” Houston coach John Jordan said. “Our fullcourt defense really caused them problems.”
EIGHTH GIRLS: Karissa Zalucky had a team-high seven points in the Houston eighth grade girls’ 29-14 loss Monday to Mountain Grove in the opening game of the Liberty Tournament.
Kylee Elmore scored four points and Hayley Walker added two for the Lady Tigers, who trailed by six points before they were outscored 12-3 in the second half.
“Mountain Grove was much more physical than us,” Jordan said. “They had numerous offensive rebounds. We had good shots, we just couldn’t hit anything.”
Box scores
BOYS
EIGHTH GRADE
Monday’s game
Cabool 7 4 6 10 — 27
Houston 18 13 10 6 — 47
HOUSTON (47) — Jordan Russell 4. Tanner Cantrell 4. Kolby Walker 6. Skylur Malam 2. Devin Garrett 31.
Thursday’s game
Salem 4 6 11 2 — 23
Houston 6 8 10 8 — 32
HOUSTON (32) — Austin Foster 2. D.J. McNew 2. Devin Garrett 12. Tanner Cantrell 6. Kolby Walker 10.
SEVENTH GRADE
Monday’s game
Cabool 12 11 13 9 — 45
Houston 12 12 16 14 — 54
HOUSTON (54) — Nathan Poynter 6. Stetson Welch 8. Austin Shock 4. Skylur Malam 2. Whitley Welch 8. Keegan Spurlin 4. D.J. McNew 22.
Thursday’s game
Salem 8 12 7 2 — 29
Houston 2 8 3 7 — 20
HOUSTON (20) — Nathan Poynter 3. D.J. McNew 5. Brad Johnson 2. Stetson Welch 2. Austin Shock 1. Whitley Welch 2. Tanner Carter 1. Keegan Spurlin 2. Kaleb Atkison 2.
GIRLS
Monday’s games
EIGHTH GRADE
Houston 6 5 1 2 — 14
Mtn. Grove 8 9 8 4 — 29
HOUSTON (14) — Karissa Zalucky 7. Kylee Elmore 4. Haylee Walker 2. Megan Silveus 1.
SEVENTH GRADE
Houston 8 14 12 4 — 38
Mtn. Grove 4 6 2 2 — 14
HOUSTON (38) — Sarah Kelley 12. Autumn Walker 10. Mikayla Koch 8. Laken Neal 4. Chloe Morning 2. Shelbi Cremer 2.
