Lady Tigers cruise past Eminence in season opener

Nine different players scored for the Houston Lady Tigers as they opened the season Monday night with a convincing 54-13 victory at Eminence.

Senior Alexa Ichord scored a game-high 15 points and Kylee Elmore, who hit both of the Lady Tigers’ 3-pointers, added 12. Kenzie Scheets and Megan Silveus had eight points apiece.

The Lady Tigers (1-0) raced ahead 19-7 in the opening quarter and held Eminence scoreless in the second and third quarters en route to a commanding 46-7 lead.

“I was pretty pleased with our effort and us not playing down to their level because they are inexperienced and rebuilding,” Houston coach Brent Kell said. “They didn’t handle our pressure well. I thought we did a good job of turning it up and getting some easy baskets.”

Kell said Eminence hardly resembled the team that won last year’s Class 1 championship. Six players graduated from that team.

Allie Wood led Eminence, which had four field goals, with eight points.

“As far as getting something out of the game, we still don’t know much about our team,” Kell said. “I think we’re going to be pretty scrappy and will play pretty good defense.”

“I was hoping we would shoot it better. We’ve got to improve on that – both from the free-throw line and the perimeter.”

Box score

HOUSTON (54) – Kylee Elmore 12. Alexa Ichord 15. Shelby Cremer 2. Sydney Cremer 2. Kenzie Scheets 8. Amber Sillyman 3. Sarah Kelley 2. Kaylea Preheim 2. Megan Silveus 8. FG 22. FT 8-22. F 12. (3-pointers: Elmore 2. Fouled out: none).

EMINENCE (12) – Hayli Smith 4. Jerri Piatt 1. Allie Wood 8. FG 4. FT 3-4. F 17. (3-pointers: Wood. Fouled out: Smith).