In a first round game of the fourth annual Houston Community Foundation Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament, the host Houston High School team defeated Fordland 89-81 in double-overtime Monday in Tiger Fieldhouse.
Seeded fifth in the event’s 8-team bracket, the Tigers led 36-32 at halftime and 52-46 at the end of the third quarter, but the No. 4 Eagles closed the gap in the fourth period to send the game into overtime.
“It was a great win for the boys,” said HHS head coach Dan Narancich. “They stayed together and played well. The boys talked at halftime and said that they needed to put two more quarters together, which they did, plus an extra quarter to get the job done.”
Players from both teams spent significant time at the foul line in the contest, as the Tigers sank 29-of-53 free throws and the Eagles went 23-for-44. The overtime periods were somewhat of a free throw contest, as Houston sank only 3 field goals but went 11-for-20 from the line while Fordland made just 2 shots from the field while going 5-for-14 from the stripe.
The Eagles had a golden opportunity to win the game before a second overtime period, but with the score tied at 80, freshman Connor Criger missed 2 free throws with no time showing on the clock and players from both teams watching from the sidelines.
The Tigers had four players score in double figures. Junior guard DJ Riley led the way with 27 points (including 22 in the second half and overtime), while senior guard Caden Root had a career-high 19 (including 13 in the first half), senior guard Jordan Arthur had 12 and 6-5 junior center Gavyn Daily added 10.
Fordland (9-5) was led in scoring by freshman Jacob Hart with 22 points, while Criger nailed five 3-pointers and finished with 19.
Houston applied full-court defensive pressure from beginning to end.
“Our team pressed the whole time keeping the continued pressure and movement on defense up, which is no easy feat to do,” Narancich said. “Their defense won the game – and the boys making those free throws. I know we have been struggling at the line, but when it comes down to it, they have started putting them in.”
Each team had four players foul out before the final horn. Everyone was understandably winded as the OT periods unfolded.
“Conditioning has helped,” Narancich said. “I told them ‘this is our time’ going into the second overtime, and this is why we train like we do. The boys weren’t acting tired, and were still going all out because of the amount of running we do. This enables us to go the distance when it’s needed.”
With the victory, the Tigers (3-8, 0-1 SCA) advanced to face top-seeded Bakersfield (10-6), a 64-22 winner over No. 8 Cabool in Monday’s other first round contest. That matchup is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 23).
“The boys are hungry for a win,” Narancich said, “and last night they showed what we have been getting to see in practice: Putting things together, working together, every person being a part of the team whether they started or came off the bench. They were fired up and gave everything to each other.”
Other first round games played on Tuesday (Jan. 21) featured No. 2 Salem taking on No. 7 Koshkonong and No. 3 Couch battling No. 6 Summersville. The tournament championship game is set for 5 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 25).
