Houston’s new year began better than 2014 finished.
Riding a two-game losing skid after consecutive lopsided losses in a holiday tournament, the Lady Tigers bounced back in a big way Monday night. HHS opened the game with 11 unanswered points and downed Cabool 74-50 inside Hiett Gymnasium.
Houston waited six days to return to the court after losses by 17 and 34 points to conclude the Mountain Grove Holiday Tournament.
“The kids were biting at the bit,” HHS coach Brent Kell said. “And I was as well.”
Houston’s inside-outside duo of Sarah Kelley and Kylee Elmore had 24 points apiece as the Lady Tigers scored their most points of the season. Elmore made five 3-pointers.
The Lady Tigers shot 67 percent from the field.
“When we shoot the ball like that we’re hard to beat,” Kell said. “I thought we came to play.”
The timing was good for HHS as it won its conference opener. It was also a special night as the team hosted its annual Pink Out to raise funds for Relay for Life. There were many activities and pink-clad fans.
“It was a good atmosphere and a great cause,” Kell said. “We’re always honored to do it. It seems like we rise to the occasion on those nights.”
The Lady Tigers (7-4, 1-0 South Central Association) started strong. Abby Casper and Elmore each connected from downtown, Kelley scored on the interior and Elmore drilled another triple as the Lady Tigers jumped ahead 11-0.
The advantage swelled to 18 points late in the second quarter during a 9-0 run. Elmore hit another 3-pointer during the rally and senior Olivia Woosley had an offensive stickback.
Cabool hung close by scoring seven quick points to end the half and trimmed the deficit to single digits midway through the third.
Kelley had a pair of baskets and Shelby Cremer had a layin as HHS ended the third with an 8-2 run to lead by 15.
Last Tuesday, the Lady Tigers were held to just three points in the first and fourth quarters of a 52-28 loss to Dora.
Elmore and Jaydin Ramsey scored 10 points apiece to lead Houston.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Alyssa Hayes scored 13 points and Jaycee Huff had 12 as the JV Lady Tigers cruised past Cabool 51-10 Monday night.
After Cabool scored the game’s first point on a free throw, Houston went on a 26-0 run for a 25-point halftime advantage.
Kaitlyn Root added nine points for Houston.
BOX SCORES
VARSITY
Monday’s game
| Cabool | 7 | 15 | 13 | 15 | – | 50 |
| Houston | 15 | 18 | 17 | 24 | – | 74 |
HOUSTON (74) – Kylee Elmore 24. Shelby Cremer 8. Abby Casper 3. Olivia Woosley 2. Sarah Kelley 24. Jaydin Ramsey 13. FG 31. FT 6-10. F 15. (3-pointers: Elmore 5, Casper. Fouled out: none).
JUNIOR VARSITY
Monday’s game
| Cabool | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | – | 10 |
| Houston | 17 | 9 | 16 | 13 | – | 51 |
HOUSTON (55) – Kaitlyn Root 9. Krista Scott 2. Jaycee Huff 12. Monica Hunter 3. Stephani Crewse 7. Carly Crawford 2. Emily Shea 7. Alyssa Hayes 13. FG 23. FT 9-23. F 9. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none).