Despite his team’s 2-5 record entering the Christmas break, Houston Lady Tigers coach Brent Kell remains confident.
“There is some promise and ability with our team,” Kell said following Monday’s 60-37 loss to Willow Springs inside Hiett Gymnasium. “It’s just a matter of putting it all together and finding the right combinations.”
Sophomore Alissa Bowlin led the Lady Tigers with 11 points. Alexa Ichord added eight.
Along with more movement without the basketball and eliminating turnovers, Kell said he wants to find a better offensive balance with his lineup. More than half of Houston’s points came via the bench against Willow Springs.
“There is going to be some competition over the break for the starting lineup,” Kell said.
The Lady Tigers had difficulty matchup up with Willow Springs twin sisters Kyndall and Kyra Bunch. The duo combined for 40 of the Lady Bears’ 60 points.
After falling behind 9-0, Houston got consecutive layups from Kylee Elmore, Elizabeth Hayes and Bowlin to eventually pull within two points.
But Willow Springs stretched its lead to nine points early in the second quarter and led 30-16 after three consecutive baskets — all in the lane — by Kyndall Bunch.
“They definitely present some matchup problems,” Kell said of the Bunch sisters. “They are hard to guard. We had to stay in zone longer than we wanted to.”
On Friday, Elmore hit five 3-pointers and scored a team-best 17 points in a 57-44 loss at Norwood.
The Lady Tigers trailed by four at the half before they were outscored 17-7 in the third quarter.
Houston will have four days off and several practices before returning Jan. 5 at Dora.
“I don’t think we’re that far from being a decent team,” Kell said.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Sierra Weaver scored a team-best 14 points in the JV Lady Tigers’ 50-39 victory Monday against Willow Springs.
Maddie Vandiver added eight points for Houston, which built on a six-point halftime advantage with a 10-2 edge in the third quarter.
On Friday, Weaver scored seven points in the Lady Tigers’ 28-20 victory at Norwood.
Cremer added five points and Kayla Guynn had four.
Box scores
VARSITY
Monday’s game
| Willow Springs | 17 | 13 | 14 | 16 | – | 60 |
| Houston | 13 | 5 | 14 | 5 | – | 37 |
WILLOW SPRINGS (50) — Kamryn Hutsell 15. Niki Clark 3. Alexis Privette 2. Kyra Bunch 12. Kyndall Bunch 28. FG 20. FT 16-22. F 11. (3-pointers: Hutsell 4. Fouled out: none).
HOUSTON (37) — Alexa Ichord 8. Alissa Bowlin 11. Kylee Elmore 6. Kenzie Scheets 1. Amber Sillyman 3. Emilee Reese 2. Sydney Cremer 2. Elizabeth Hayes 4. FG 14. FT 5-10. F 16. (3-pointers: Bowlin 3, Sillyman. Fouled out: Hayes).
Friday’s game
| Houston | 13 | 12 | 7 | 12 | – | 44 |
| Norwood | 16 | 13 | 17 | 11 | – | 57 |
HOUSTON (44) — Alexa Ichord 7. Alissa Bowlin 7. Kylee Elmore 17. Kenzie Scheets 2. Amber Sillyman 7. Haylee Kell 2. Sydney Cremer 2. FG 16. FT 5-9. F 25. (3-pointers: Elmore 5, Bowlin, Sillyman. Fouled out: Ichord, Kell).
NORWOOD (57) — Brooke Cudworth 3. Jordan Cottengim 35. Shianna Russell 2. Madison Crain 9. Mallori Rein 8. FG 16. FT 16-23. F 12. (3-pointers: Cottengim 7, Cudworth, Crain).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Monday’s game
| Willow Springs | 9 | 11 | 2 | 17 | – | 39 |
| Houston | 10 | 16 | 10 | 14 | – | 50 |
HOUSTON (50) — Maggie Shelton 5. Sierra Weaver 14. Maddie Vandiver 8. Sydney Cremer 6. Kayla Guynn 6. Kaylea Preheim 1. Nora Dixon 6. Megan Silveus 4. FG 16. FT 16-27. F 23. (3-pointers: Dixon 2. Fouled out: Silveus).
Friday’s game
| Houston | 5 | 6 | 11 | 6 | – | 28 |
| Norwood | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | – | 20 |
HOUSTON (28) — Maggie Shelton 2. Sierra Weaver 7. Maddie Vandiver 2. Sydney Cremer 5. Kayla Guynn 4. Kayla Herndon 3. Kaylea Preheim 2. Megan Silveus 3. FG 11. FT 6-10. F 14. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).