Kell wants his team to find competitive nature

Houston Lady Tigers coach Brent Kell says a long road trip isn’t a reason to not be competitive

“That can’t be an excuse,” Kell said after his team fell to 0-2 with a 44-34 loss Monday night at Strafford. “It seems like at times we’re going through the motions.”

Kell used the word “compete” several times when discussing his team’s performance in the second game of the season. The Lady Tigers fell behind by 10 points after the opening quarter, and the deficit was 20 entering the fourth.

“We still have to find our competitive nature,” Kell said. “It seems like at times we don’t compete. We let a team beat us to a loose ball or beat us to a rebound. We’re just not competing like I want us to — and like we will.”

Junior Amber Sillyman hit a pair of 3-pointers en route to a team-high nine points. Alissa Bowlin added five points.

Houston was held to single digits in the first three quarters before scoring 19 points in the fourth.

“I thought we executed better offensively,” Kell said. “We just didn’t make shots.”

Kell pointed out his team’s struggles on the boards and failing to block out every possession as areas that could improve.

He said every issue was fixable, especially this early in the season.

“One way or another, I’ll get it out of them,” Kell said. “I told them last night, we will start having consequences for those things if we need to. You have to do the little things to be successful, and we’re not doing them.

“We need to be focused at all times and compete every second we’re on the floor.”

JUNIOR VARSITY: Sierra Weaver scored a team-high seven points in the JV Lady Tigers’ 42-24 loss Monday at Strafford.

It was the first game of the season for the Houston JV girls.

Maggie Shelton and Olivia Woosley scored three points apiece for the Lady Tigers, who trailed 8-0 after opening quarter and 22-10 at the half.

Box scores

VARSITY

HOUSTON (34) — Alexa Ichord 4. Sierra Weaver 2. Alissa Bowlin 5. Maddie Vandiver 4. Kylee Elmore 3. Kenzie Scheets 2. Amber Sillyman 9. Kayla Herndon 2. Sydney Cremer 1. Elizabeth Hayes 2. FT 12. FT 8-14. F 21. (3-pointers: Sillyman 2. Fouled out: Hayes).

STRAFFORD (44) — Allison Rowden 2. Hannah Collins 5. Kelsey Lawler 2. Katie Rowen 3. Alissa Rowden 11. Megan Carrell 5. Sarah Letterman 8. Tiffany Robertson 4. Emily Quick 4. FG 16. FT 7-11. F 17. (3-pointers: ARowden 2, Collins, Rowen, Lettermen. Fouled out: none).

JUNIOR VARSITY

HOUSTON (24) — Maggie Shelton 3. Sierra Weaver 7. Maddie Vandiver 1. Olivia Woosley 3. Sydney Cremer 2. Kayla Guynn 2. Kayla Herndon 2. Nora Dixon 4. FG 9. FT 6-14. F 9. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none.).