The Houston Lady Tigers nearly overcame a 17-2 deficit, sickness and an untimely injury against one of the state’s top teams.
Nearly.
HHS rallied from the awful start to take a one-point halftime lead Thursday night against top-seeded Norwood in the semifinals of the Mansfield Tournament. But an ankle injury to Jaydin Ramsey and disadvantage at the free-throw line was too much to overcome as the Lady Tigers lost 70-60.
Ramsey was pivotal in the first-half comeback as she hit three 3-pointers and scored 17 points. But she was sidelined with an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return.
Houston (9-8) was without senior Emily Shea due to illness and starting point guard Abby Casper managed just one point as she battled sickness.
“We battled and overcame a lot of adversity to have a chance to win,” coach Jim Moore said of his team’s effort against the fourth-ranked team in Class 2. “We came up short against a very good team.”
Ramsey and Kaitlyn Root scored 17 points apiece to lead Houston. Chloe Hunninghake hit three triples en route to nine points and Alyssa Hayes had eight before fouling out.
Sara McIntosh led Norwood (17-1) with 21 points. Emma McIntosh added 15 and Jenna Ogletree had 12.
Norwood, which outscored HHS 22-11 in the third quarter to take the lead for good, was 21-for-35 at the free-throw line compared to 11-for-14 by the Lady Tigers.
“We put them on the line too much and didn’t get to the line enough on the other end,” Moore said.
No. 4 Houston will play sixth-seeded Forsyth at 6 p.m. Saturday in the third-place game. Norwood and Licking play in the championship game at 7:30 p.m.
HHS gets another shot at Norwood Feb. 10 at home when the teams meet in a matchup that was previously delayed by inclement weather.
“We are improving,” Moore said, “and I believe we are going to be a tough out come district time.”
BOX SCORE
Houston 12 24 11 13 – 60
Norwood 21 13 22 13 – 70
HOUSTON (60) – Kaitlyn Root 17. Abby Casper 1. Sevanna Rowland 2. Stephani Crewse 3. Ally Morgan 3. Chloe Hunninghake 9. Jaydin Ramsey 17. Alyssa Hayes 8. FG 21. FT 11-14. F 26. (3-pointers: Hunninghake 3, Ramsey 3, Crewse. Fouled out: Hayes.)
NORWOOD (70) – Crain 3. Chadwell 9. EMcIntosh 15. Nelson 2. Sullivan 2. SMcIntosh 21. Ogletree 12. FG 23. FT 21-35. F 17. (3-pointers: Crain. Fouled out: SMcIntosh.)