In the latest example of a recurring situation, the Houston High School boys basketball team got off to a strong start only to finish with a lopsided loss, as the Tigers were defeated 71-44 by Pocahontas, Arkansas, in Thursday’s first round of the annual Cabool Holiday Tournament.
Seeded 14th in the event’s 16-team bracket, Houston led 16-8 at the end of the first quarter. But the No. 3 Redskins went on a 16-2 run to begin the second quarter and were ahead 33-28 at halftime.
The second half woes that have plagued the Tigers in multiple recent outings then took precedence again, as Pocahontas outscored them 38-16 after the break.
Junior guard DJ Riley led Houston in scoring in the game with 14 points, while senior guard Jordan Arthur had 11 (including 7 in the first quarter). Senior guard Javon Ross came off the bench in the fourth period and scored 5 points for the Tigers, while senior center Brody Adkison, junior center Gavyn Daily and senior guard Nick Dennis added 4 apiece.
Houston sank only two 3-pointers in the game.
Meanwhile, the Redskins nailed 8 shots from behind the arc and had four players score in double figures. Burly senior guard DJ Coffey led the way with 16 points (including 9 in the third period), while senior guard Nate Major drained 3 treys and had 14, sophomore forward Jared Mitchell sank 6 shots from close range and also had 14, and 6-4 junior forward Payne Swann added 12.
The Tigers (1-5) face Alton in a loser-out game on Friday afternoon, after the 11th-seeded Comets fell 60-30 to No. 6 Mansfield on Thursday.
In another first-round matchup, top-seeded Norwood blasted No. 16 Cabool 88-24. The host Bulldogs take on No. 9 Winona on Friday.
