Eighth-graders cruise to consecutive victories

The Houston eighth-grade girls’ basketball team cruised to a pair of lopsided victories the past week.

On Thursday, Jaydin Ramsey led eight players in scoring with 17 points in the Lady Tigers’ 52-25 victory against Cabool. On Monday, Abby Casper scored 16 points in Houston’s 42-26 win against Liberty.

The Lady Tigers raced ahead 18-4 against Cabool and never looked back. Alyssa Hayes scored nine ponts, Casper had eight and Stephanie Crewse added seven.

Against Liberty, Houston had a 9-2 advantage in the first and 15-5 edge in the second en route to a 17-point halftime lead.

“Our fullcourt man-to-man defense was pretty good in the first half,” Lady Tigers coach John Jordan said.

Emily Shea and Hayes had nine points apiece in the victory.

SEVENTH GRADE: Kaitlyn Root had a team-high seven points in the Lady Tigers’ 28-16 loss Monday to undefeated Liberty.

Liberty used a 14-1 edge in the second quarter to pull away.

“We lost our composure and let their pressure get to us,” Jordan said. “I felt we were timid.”

On Thursday, Root had nine points and Carly Crawford and Amber Johnson scored four apiece in Houston’s 21-14 win against Cabool.

Box scores

EIGHTH GRADE

Monday’s game

HOUSTON (42) – Abby Casper 16. Emily Shea 9. Alyssa Hayes 9. Jaydin Ramsey 6. Stephanie Crewse 2.

Thursday’s game

HOUSTON (52) – Jaydin Ramsey 17. Alyssa Hayes 9. Abby Casper 8. Stephanie Crewse 7. Jaycee Huff 5. Keely Turner 2. Emily Shea 2. Cassidy Robertson 2.

SEVENTH GRADE

Monday’s game

HOUSTON (16) – Kaitlyn Root 7. Carly Crawford 4. Katie Williams 3. Sevanna Rowland 2.

Thursday’s game

HOUSTON (21) – Kaitlyn Root 9, Carly Crawford 4. Amber Johnson 4. Sevanna Rowland 2. Katie Williams 2.