Tigers look to take another step forward in third year under Gorman

Rod Gorman knew he inherited a project when he took over the Houston boys’ basketball program. Now in his third year with the Tigers, he says the time has arrived to begin winning games.

HHS returns three starters from last year’s seven-win team, including second team all-conference selection Clayton Moore. It would have been four starters, but senior guard Paydon Dixon tore his ACL late in the football season and will miss the basketball campaign.

Still, Gorman hopes the Tigers can build on the fundamental foundation of the past two seasons.

“We’ve moving forward,” Gorman said. “At some point, you’ve got to string some wins together. We haven’t won 10 games yet. Would we be satisfied with that? Our guys would say no. But that’s a step we’ve got to get to and move toward a .500 team.”

{{tncms-inline alignment=”right” content=”<table class="table table-striped table-bordered"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Nov. 17   </td> <td>vs. Ellington<br />(Rolla Shootout)</td> <td> <p>L, 61-39</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Nov. 20</td> <td>at Cuba</td> <td> <p>W, 77-54 </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Nov. 30</td> <td>Seymour</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec. 3</td> <td>vs. Conway<br />(Mansfield Inv.)</td> <td> <p><span>7:30 p.m.<br /></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec. 10</td> <td>Norwood JV Tournament</td> <td> <p>TBA</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec. 14</td> <td>at Plato</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec, 18</td> <td>Alton</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec. 26</td> <td>Cabool Holiday Tourn.                </td> <td> <p>TBA</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 4</td> <td>at Summersville</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 5</td> <td>Licking</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 8</td> <td>Norwood</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 11</td> <td>Thayer</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 15</td> <td>at Bourbon</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 21</td> <td>Conway Invitational</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jan. 29</td> <td>Liberty</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Feb. 1</td> <td>Cabool</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Feb. 5</td> <td>at Ava</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Feb. 8</td> <td>at Willow Springs</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Feb. 12</td> <td>at Salem</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Feb. 15</td> <td>Mountain Grove</td> <td> <p>6 p.m.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>” id=”63862b62-94e7-4454-b8f9-c7ee747648cf” style-type=”bio” title=”TIGERS’ SCHEDULE” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}

HHS has an experienced backcourt in Moore and returning point guard Kyler Ramsey. Moore averaged a team-best 11.7 points per game last season and made more than 60 3-pointers. He also averaged 3.5 rebounds and shot 53.2 percent from the field.

“He makes us go. On offense, he’s the guy that gets us going,” Gorman said. “He’ll have a big offensive year, there’s no doubt.

When Ramsey was in the lineup, the Tigers were 6-4. But he suffered a finger injury that cost him most of his junior season. Although they were tougher conference games toward the end of the season, Houston only won once without Ramsey in the lineup.

“He’s the glue. We’ve got to have him on the floor,” Gorman said.

Junior Dakota Burchett returns at center. He’ll be joined in the starting lineup by junior Jaekan Moss and sophomore Ty Franklin.

Gorman said he believes his team is more skilled and athletic this season. He also likes his frontcourt, which includes Connor Wilson and Korbyn Tune off the bench.

“We can play offense, we can play defense and rebound. So we have a lot going for us,” Gorman said. “We’re way ahead of where we were the past two years in experience, skill level, size and athleticism. But there are also still challenges out there.”

Junior guards Nick Zamarron and Tristan Leier return with varsity experience in the backcourt.

Juniors Sterling Jackson and Dalton Dzurick as well as sophomore Jacob Moseley will provide additional frontcourt depth.

HHS opened the season Saturday night with a 61-38 loss to Ellington in the Rolla Shootout. The Tigers beat Cuba 77-54 Tuesday on the road. Their home opener is Nov. 30 against Seymour.

“We have the nucleus to have a good year,” Gorman said.