The Houston Tigers are making positive strides. Next comes converting games into victories.
HHS couldn’t hang onto an eight-point first-half lead or two-point advantage in the fourth quarter in a 50-47 home loss Friday night to Plato.
“I’m proud of them,” first-year Tigers coach Robert James said. “They listen and do what I ask them to do. I feel like they’re going to be rewarded for that later.
“They have nothing to hang their heads about.”
Houston point guard Lucas Kelley surveys the floor in the second half.
After losing their fourth-quarter advantage, the Tigers (2-5) got within a single point when senior Keegan Spurlin scored with 48 seconds remaining. But Plato’s Wesley Wilson knocked down two key free throws with 14.6 seconds left and HHS missed two 3-point attempts in the final moments that would have tied the game.
“We executed three straight plays the way they were supposed to be executed at the end of the game. It didn’t go our way,” James said.
Senior Kobe Sutton hit three 3-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points to lead Houston. Nathan Poynter added eight points and a team-best seven rebounds.
Along with facing an opponent with a deeper bench, the Tigers were not at full strength.
“I don’t make excuses for anyone, but Lucas (Kelley) is throwing up at halftime,” James said. “He’s battling, but he’s sick.”
The Tigers led 14-10 after the opening quarter following Sutton’s triple. They extended their advantage to 20-12 as Skylur Malam and Sutton scored consecutive baskets at the 6:08 mark of the second quarter.
Plato –– led by 11 second-quarter points from James Sponsel –– went on a 15-0 run to take a seven-point lead.
“We’ve got to squeeze the lane and get people out of the paint,” James said.
Houston retook the lead to start the fourth quarter as a Sutton jumper and two free throws from Kelley made it 40-38.
But Plato got 3-pointers from Wyatt Koehler and Gage Crews to take a lead the Eagles never gave back.
“Our guys battled right to the end,” James said. “We went toe-to-toe with them.”
HHS has a few days off before facing Seymour at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the opening round of the Cabool Holiday Tournament. The Tigers are seeded 10th.
“We have high goals,” James said. “We’re not wanting to keep this losing record. We’re battling and trying to get back to that .500 mark.”
JUNIOR VARSITY: Gavin Alston and Noah Moseley scored six points apiece in the JV Tigers’ 58-36 loss Friday to Plato.
BOX SCORES
Friday’s games
VARSITY
Plato 10 17 11 12 – 50
Houston 14 8 12 13 – 47
HOUSTON (47) – Nathan Poynter 8. Dylan Coulter 2. Lucas Kelley 6. Caleb Adkison 2. Kobe Sutton 23. Skylur Malam 2. Keegan Spurlin 2 FG 18. FT 6-6. F 16. (3-pointers: Sutton 3, Poynter 2. Fouled out: Poynter).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Plato 12 9 7 10 – 58
Houston 5 9 10 12 – 36
HOUSTON (36) – Gavin Alston 6. Aspen Holt 1. Ty McCloud 2. Paydon Dion 2. Noah Moseley 6. Trevor Motzkus 5. Tayler Ward 2. Riley Cavaness 4. Trenton Smith 3. CJ Lee 5 FG 12. FT 10-19. F 15. (3-pointers: Motzkus. Fouled out: none).