The Houston seventh-grade boys’ basketball team won its season finale to cap a strong finish to the season.
Led by Clayton Moore’s 14 points, the Tigers beat Willow Springs 46-31 last Thursday.
After starting the season 1-4, Houston finished one game over .500 at 8-7. It included a second-place finish in the Willow Springs Tournament.
“It’s going to be fun to see how these kids develop over the next five years,” coach Eric Sloan said. “They work hard daily and are willing to do whatever it takes for the team to be successful. If they keep the ‘team’ mentality they will be just fine.”
In the championship game of the tournament, Kyle Ramsey and Isaiah Buse scored nine points apiece in the Tigers’ 46-25 loss to West Plains.
Trailing 11-8 after the first quarter, Houston was down by 11 at the half.
“I was proud of our effort,” Sloan said. “The kids gave everything they had. Unfortunately, they are the better team.”
Houston advanced to the title game with…
EIGHTH GRADE: Four players scored six points apiece in the Houston eighth-grade boys’ basketball team’s 45-31 loss last Thursday to Willow Springs.
Paydon Dixon, Thomas Smith, Logan Cary and Brecken Adey all scored six points. CJ Lee added five.
“This group struggled most of the season due to the lack of depth on the team,” Sloan said. “We were in foul trouble all season, and that hurt us.”
In the final game of the Willow Springs Tournament, Lee scored a team-best 14 points in Houston’s 46-34 loss to West Plains. Dixon, Adey and Josh Stell scored six points apiece.
BOX SCORES
EIGHTH GRADE
Last Thursday’s game
Willow Springs 9 16 12 8 –– 45
Houston 3 9 10 9 –– 31
HOUSTON (31) – Paydon Dixon 6. Thomas Smith 6. CJ Lee 5. Logan Cary 6. Brecken Adey 6. Josh Stell 2.
Willow Springs Tournament
Houston 7 13 7 7 – 34
West Plains 11 11 12 12 – 46
HOUSTON (34) – Paydon Dixon 6. CJ Lee 14. Logan Cary 2. Brecken Adey 6. Josh Stell 6.
SEVENTH GRADE
Last Thursday’s game
Willow Springs 9 10 8 4 – 31
Houston 8 12 14 12 – 46
HOUSTON (46) – Dalton Dzurick 2. Kyle Mills 3. Hunter Stilley 2. Robbie Mortensen 2. Isaiah Buse 9. Kyler Ramsey 7. Jacob Koch 2. Connor Wilson 4. Clayton Moore 14. Sterling Jackson 1.
Willow Springs Tournament
Houston 8 6 7 4 – 24
West Plains 11 14 12 9 – 46
HOUSTON (24) – Dalton Dzurick 2. Isaiah Buse 9. Kyler Ramsey 9. Dakota Burchett 2. Clayton Moore 2. Sterling Jackson 1.