The Houston Tigers are no longer 0-for-Hiett Gymnasium. Houston’s Kobe Sutton hangs in the air as he scores Friday night against Summersville.
After losing the first four games on its homecourt, HHS got its first win for the home crowd by cruising past Summersville 69-15 Friday night.
The Tigers’ previous three wins were away or on neutral courts. The home victory –– fourth of the year –– eclipsed the team’s win total from the previous season.
“We’ve wanted to get a home win,” Houston coach Robert James said. “That’s one thing we talked about in practice –– letting your hometown see you get a W.”
The Tigers did so with a tenacious fullcourt defense that led to easy baskets and a big lead. HHS (4-8) scored 31 of the game’s first 36 points and was never threatened.
“We came out with a lot of intensity,” James said. “I feel like we’re athletic. We’re trying to take advantage of that.”
Senior Kobe Sutton scored 16 points to lead three HHS players in double figures. Nathan Poynter and Dylan Coulter added 10 apiece.
The Tigers’ 69 points is the highest total of the season.
“It was good to get a win and see them happy,” James said. “I’m trying to teach these guys that our goal is to get better for the end of the season. We want to be as good as we can be and see what that means.”
Last Tuesday, Sutton hit five 3-pointers and scored 29 points in an 81-64 home loss to Richland. Lucas Kelley had 10 points.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Junior Riley Cavaness scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half to propel the JV Tigers to a 39-15 victory Friday night against Summersville.
Noah Mosley added 12 points for Houston in the team’s first win of the season.
Last Tuesday, Trevor Motzkus scored 16 points in a 39-37 loss to Richland. Cavaness had nine points.
BOX SCORES
VARSITY
Friday’s game
Summers 5 6 1 3 –– 15
Houston 26 21 15 7 –– 69
HOUSTON (69) –– Nathan Poynter 10. Dylan Coulter 10 Trevor Motzkus 3. Austin Schock 6. Lucas Kelley 5. Caleb Adkison 7. Kobe Sutton 16. Skylur Malam 7. Keegan Spurlin 5. FG 30. FG 4-16. F 8. (3-pointers: Sutton 3, Motzkus. Fouled out: none).
Last Tuesday’s game
Richland 25 20 23 13 –– 81
Houston 18 9 17 20 –– 64
HOUSTON (64) –– Nathan Poynter 4. Dylan Coulter 7. Lucas Kelley 10. Caleb Adkison 4. Kobe Sutton 29. Sylur Malam 2. Keegan Spurlin 8. FG 24. FT 10-18. F 11. (3-pointers: Sutton 5. Fouled out: none).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Friday’s game
Summers 5 6 1 3 –– 15
Houston 7 5 14 13 –– 39
HOUSTON (39) –– Aspen Holt 2. Thomas Smith 3. Noah Moseley 12. Trevor Motzkus 1. Taylor Ward 3. Riley Cavaness 16. CJ Lee 2. FG 17. FT 2-9. F 17 (3-pointers: Cavaness 2. Fouled out: Lee).
Tuesday’s game
Richland 8 9 15 7 –– 39
Houston 11 5 9 12 –– 37
HOUSTON (39) –– Ty McCloud 1. Noah Moseley 4. Trevor Motzkus 16. Taylor Ward 2. Riley Cavaness 9. CJ Lee 3. FG 11. FT 12-26. F 16. (3-pointers: Motzkus, Cavaness. Fouled out: Cavaness).