2016-17 basketball preview: Houston Girls

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By Amanda Perkins

The Lady Tigers brought their second district title in program history home to Houston last year, and their 21-8 season ended with a sectional loss to St. James and the retirement of veteran coach Brent Kell.

Now newcomer Jim Moore has some big shoes to fill left by the departing coach of three decades, but the Houston alumnus is no stranger to success himself. In his thirteen years of coaching he has won two district championships at Fair Grove and one at Carthage. He was most recently at Aurora.

“I am excited to be back in my hometown,” said Moore. “It’s a little tough to follow a legend like Coach Kell because there are some expectations, but I am looking forward to the challenge. Coach Kell left the program in great shape and the team is fired up and ready for the season to get started.”

The Lady Tigers lose Sarah Kelley, a first team all-SCA, all-district, and all-state player and their offensive spark. The 5’11” post player surpassed 1,000 career points last year, averaging 16.7 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game, and is now on the roster for Fort Scott Community College. Also graduating was Shelby Cremer, who averaged 7.2 points, 9 assists, 3 steals and 6.6 rebounds per game as point guard and was also a key defender. She was an all-district and all-conference starter and now plays for State Fair Community College. Krista Scott was an athletic team member who has gone on to play college volleyball at Crowley Ridge College in Arkansas. The team also losses Makayla Koch and Monica Hunter, who helped contribute to the Tigers’ success last season.

Despite the player losses, Moore is optimistic about his new team. “I have inherited a very good team with a strong tradition in girls basketball,” he said. “It seems to have been an easy transition for the girls to get used to our new system and it’s obvious they have been very well-coached.”

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Senior Abby Casper is among the returning crew. The senior guard averaged 9 points and 3 steals per game last year and has spent the off-season perfecting her game. Casper is quick and has the ability to be an inside and outside threat, and is anticipated to be a main scorer this season.

Jaydin Ramsey averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals per game last season, and is poised to be a clutch player for the Lady Tigers. “Jaydin is a senior forward who creates mismatch problems for opponents,” said Moore. “Defensively, she has shown that she has the ability to give people fits.” She has the ability to score from the perimeter and to attack the basket, and the size to post up inside.

Alyssa Hayes will be called upon to fill the role vacated by Sarah Kelley, and the senior post player has the ability to rebound well and to connect on a mid-range jumper.

Senior Stephanie Crewse was a new face for the Lady Tigers last year. “She is a very quick guard who runs the floor well,” said Moore. “She is feisty on the defensive end with quick hands. She is going to create a lot of havoc defensively, and offensively, she is going to stretch the floor with her speed.”

Kaitlin Root led the team in rebounds in the second half of her sophomore season and put up 7 points per game, and the 5’10” junior post player looks to improve her stat column this year.

Chloe Hunninghake, junior, “is going to earn a lot of playing time and is a scoring threat from anywhere on the offensive side of the floor,” said Moore.

Junior guard Carly Crawford is quick and can run the floor well, with the ability to connect from behind the arc and to put pressure on the ball.

Moore will focus on an up-tempo offense and defensive pressure from baseline to baseline, as well as strong rebounding. “My expectations for this season are for us to compete to the very best of our ability every time we step on the floor,” he said. “I believe we have the personnel to compete for championships if we stay healthy, keep a great attitude, and believe in ourselves.”

The Lady Tigers will start their season against Niangua on November 22.

“My goal is to continue the winning tradition here and hopefully take it to an even higher level than it already is,” said Moore. “It’s going to be a fun journey and I can’t wait to get it started.”

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