The Houston Lady Tigers were incredibly close to knocking off their rivals from Licking. Instead, they settled for second place.
HHS, which lost to the state-ranked Lady Wildcats by 19 and 26 points in the first two meetings of the season, was edged 40-38 Saturday night in the championship game of the Mansfield Tournament.
The Lady Tigers had five more field goals than Licking but did not attempt a free throw. The Lady Wildcats were 12-for-18 at the line.
Senior Kylee Elmore led Houston with 12 points as the lone player in double figures.
Unlike the previous two matchups, the third game was close throughout. Licking had a four-point edge at the half and led by just two entering the fourth quarter.
The Lady Tigers, who were seeded second, got to the championship game with a 54-50 semifinal victory last Thursday against Mansfield. Sarah Kelley scored 19 of her 25 points in the second half to pace HHS.
In the opening round, Elmore hit six 3-pointers in a 66-30 victory against Conway. It was coach Brent Kell’s 400th career victory.
On Monday, the Lady Tigers fell behind 13-0 at Salem and never recovered in a 55-40 road loss.
Houston (13-7) fell to 2-2 in the South Central Association.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Alyssa Hayes scored 14 points and Kaitlyn Root added 10 in the JV Lady Tigers’ 49-18 road romp Monday of Salem.
BOX SCORES
VARSITY
Monday’s game
Houston 7 13 8 12 – 40
Salem 17 13 8 17 – 55
HOUSTON (40) – Kylee Elmore 15. Shelby Cremer 4. Olivia Woosley 1. Sarah Kelley 17. Jaydin Ramsey 3. FG 16. FT 6-14. F 16. (3-pointers: Elmore, Ramsey. Fouled out: Casper, Woosley).
Saturday’s game
Mansfield Tournament
Houston 9 9 13 7 – 38
Licking 9 13 11 7 – 40
HOUSTON (38) – Kylee Elmore 12. Shelby Cremer 2. Abby Casper 6. Makayla Koch 2. Olivia Woosley 2. Sarah Kelley 6. Jaydin Ramsey 2. FG 17. FG 0-0. F 18. (3-pointers: Elmore 2, Casper 2. Fouled out: none).
Last Thursday’s
Mansfield Tournament
Mansfield 5 10 15 20 – 50
Houston 11 10 12 19 – 54
HOUSTON (54) – Kylee Elmore 9. Shelby Cremer 5. Abby Casper 3. Makayla Koch 2. Sarah Kelley 25. Jaydin Ramsey 8. Alyssa Hayes 2. FG 21. FT 11-20. F 11. (3-pointers: Elmore. Fouled out: none).
Last Tuesday’s
Mansfield Tournament
Conway 11 7 12 0 – 30
Houston 19 10 23 14 – 66
HOUSTON (66) – Kylee Elmore 23. Shelby Cremer 4. Abby Casper 13. Sarah Kelley 22. Alyssa Hayes 4. FG 24. FT 8-11. F 15. (3-pointers: Elmore 6, Casper 3, Kelley. Fouled out: none).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Monday’s game
Houston 12 14 20 3 – 49
Salem 2 8 2 1 – 18
HOUSTON (49) – Kaitlyn Root 10. Krista Scott 2. Jaycee Huff 4. Monica Hunter 4. Stephani Crewse 7. Carly Crawford 3. Emily Shea 5. Alyssa Hayes 14. FG 22. FT 5-17. F 11. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).