Late in Howard’s basketball game Friday at Tyner, the visitors’ cheerleaders and fan base started chanting “Defense!!” At that point, it was more of a term of endearment than a rallying cry.
The Hustlin’ Tigers blocked eight shots and held Tyner to 12 second-half points on their way to a 54-35 District 6-AA victory.
Barry Griffin and Demontay Suttles led the Tigers (2-2, 2-0) with 18 points apiece, while point guard Keonte Cameron had a good all-around game with six points, four assists and four blocks.
“We’ve got an inexperienced group, so we’ve stressed defense since day one,” Howard coach Walter McGary said. “We’ve put it in their mind to play defense, and tonight they saw what they could do if they believed in their teammates.”
Tyner managed only second-half field goals: a layup by Travis Jones in the third quarter and a 3-pointer off transition by Dee Suttles in the fourth.