Tigers’ season ends in first round of districts

CABOOL – The Houston Tigers’ season ended against one of the state’s top teams.

Hartville, the fourth-ranked team in Class 3 and top-ranked team in District 10, began defense of its district crown with a 94-63 victory Monday night against HHS.

The Tigers concluded the season with 11 straight losses and finished with a 6-19 record under first-year coach Rob Coffey.

In Monday’s other district semifinal, fifth-seeded Mountain Grove edged No. 4 Alton 49-48. Two more semifinal games – between Liberty and Cabool at 6 p.m. and Licking and Willow Springs at 7:30 p.m. – are Tuesday night.

Devin Coulter and Kolby Walker scored 16 points apiece to lead the Tigers, who had more 3-pointers (12) than two-point field goals (10). Nathan Poynter added 13 points. 

Eleven different players scored for Hartville (23-2), which led 54-32 at the half. Hunter Simmons had a game-high 17 points.

Houston committed 29 turnovers compared to seven by the Eagles.

The loss was the final game in the careers of HHS seniors Aaron Cantrell, C.J. Theriot, Tanner Smith, Alex Henry and Coulter. 

BOX SCORE

HOUSTON (63) – Nathan Poynter 13. Devin Coulter 16. Aaron Cantrell 2. Kolby Walker 16. Dylan Hooper 8. Alex Henry 8. FG 22. FT 7-11. F 14. (3-pointers: Poynter 3, Walker 3, Coulter 2, Hooper 2, Henry 2. Fouled out: none).

HARTVILLE (94) – Zachary Keith 8. Due Piper 8. Grant Dedmon 11. Cody Hammons 3. Derek Jones 4. Shade Piper 11. Hunter Simmons 17. Richie Wilson 10. Seth Hensley 9. Tyler Collison 2. Houston Johnson 11. FG 39. FT 8-16. F 12. (3-pointers: Dedmon 3, Simmons 3, Keith, Hammons. Fouled out: none).

Monday’s scores

Hartville 94, Houston 63

Mountain Grove 49, Alton 48

Tuesday’s games

(2) Liberty vs. (7) Cabool, 6 p.m.

(3) Licking vs. (6) Willow Springs, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday’s games

Semifinals, 6 & 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s game

Championship, 6 p.m.