The Houston girls basketball team’s struggles have continued into conference play.
Since winning the season opener, the Lady Tigers have lost 10 consecutive games. The latest were a pair of home defeats to open SCA play.
Last Thursday, Houston hung tough with state-ranked Willow Springs for a half before losing 53-29. On Monday, the Lady Tigers couldn’t erase an early deficit to Salem and were beaten 58-45 inside Tiger Fieldhouse.
HHS won its season opener Dec. 2 in overtime against an 8-3 Fordland team in the Fordland Invitational. But since that victory, the Lady Tigers (1-10, 0-2 South Central Association) haven’t been within double figures of an opponent.
State-ranked Willow surges in second half
Behind 10 first-half points from Gracyn McNiell and an active halfcourt zone defense, Houston only trailed Willow Springs 26-20 early in the third quarter last Thursday. But after missing a pair of free throws to cut into the deficit – the Lady Tigers were 6-for-17 at the free-throw line – senior starters Ashley Gibert and McNiell went to the bench with foul trouble.
The Lady Bears, the No. 10 team in Class 3, immediately extended their advantage to 18 points and led 43-24 after Evangel-bound guard Chloe Jones banked in a shot well beyond halfcourt.
McNiell led Houston with 14 points as the lone player in double figures. Millie Manier, Izzy Cook and Reese Wilson scored three points apiece.
Turnovers, fouls abound in Salem loss
The Lady Tigers committed 45 turnovers and a season-high 23 fouls in Monday’s home loss to Salem, which sped up the pace with trapping fullcourt and halfcourt pressure.
With McNiell, the team’s leading scorer, on the bench with two early fouls in the first quarter, Salem jumped ahead 14-6 and never trailed the rest of the way. McNiell and Manier both fouled out.
McNiell led the team with 13 points and drew three second-half charges. All eight HHS players scored, including seven by Cook and six apiece for Manier, Gilbert and Ava Koch.
BOX SCORES
Monday’s game
Salem 14 17 20 7 – 58
Houston 6 19 10 10 – 45
Houston (45) – Manier 6. Cook 7. Koch 6. Volk 1. Benoist 2. McNiell 13. Gilbert 6. Wilson 4. FG 17. FT 7-14. F 23. (3-pointers: Cook, McNiell. Fouled out: Manier, McNiell).
Last Thursday’s game
Willow Springs 11 15 17 10 – 53
Houston 9 8 7 5 – 29
HOUSTON (29) – Manier 3. Cook 3. Koch 2. Benoist 2. McNiell 14. Gilbert 2. Wilson 3. FG 10. FT 6-17. F 16. (3-pointers: Manier, Cook, McNiell).