The Houston Lady Tigers have struggled down the final stretch of the season. But for at least one night, that changed.
HHS snapped a five-game losing skid Saturday with its most complete efforts of the season. The Lady Tigers outscored visiting Plato by five or more points in every quarter en route to an easy 57-33 win inside Hiett Gymnasium.
The margin of victory was the team’s highest of the season – after losing the previous five contests by an average of 23.6 points.
“I forgot what this feels like,” Houston coach Jim Moore said. “The girls had a little extra pep in their step and played as well as we have all year.”
Two underclassmen – sophomore Jaden Stell and freshman Hannah Dzurick – led HHS with 17 points apiece. Senior forward Ally Morgan added 14 points.
Plato scored the game’s first point and never led again. The Lady Tigers (7-17) scored seven straight and led by five at the end of the quarter and 10 at the half.
The lead grew to 41-25 entering the fourth quarter.
“I really liked how balanced we were,” Moore said. “If they wanted to try to shut down inside, we got some outside looks. If they wanted to come out, we were able to throw it in with Ally 1-on-1.”
HHS, which lost 57-33 Monday night at Salem, completes its regular season at home Thursday against Mountain Grove. The Lady Tigers open district play at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Doniphan at Mountain Grove High School.
BOX SCORE
Plato 10 7 8 8 – 33
Houston 15 12 14 16 – 57
HOUSTON (57) – Kelly Hubbs 2. Hannah Dzurick 17. Ally Morgan 14. Jaden Stell 17. Riley Scheets 3. Kennedy Campbell 4. FG 17. FT 15-23. F 19. (3-pointers: Stell 5, Dzurick 3. Fouled out: none).