Hospitality has its limits. The Howard girls’ basketball team was not about to be a gracious enough host to let the championship of the Henry Bowles holiday tournament slip away.
The Lady Hustlin’ Tigers adapted to the physical style against Cane Ridge, claiming a 37-29 victory for the tournament title.
“It’s very exciting for me as a first-year coach here to see how well these girls are playing now,” Howard coach Ashley Wilbur said. “To win this tournament proves they can handle any situation or team on the floor against us. We’ve seen a lot of different styles, and this should give us confidence going into the district part of the season.”
Howard (7-1) took control with an 11-2 run in the second quarter, then held off a Cane Ridge rally late in the fourth.
There were 37 total fouls called in the game, and it was rightly at the free-throw line that Howard put the game away. With just under three minutes remaining and Howard ahead by four, Myia Lee made four key free throws to extend the lead and help Howard claim its fourth straight win. Lee and sophomore NuQuilla Robinson led the Lady Hustlin’ Tigers with 11 points each, and Robinson scored eight of her total in the second half.
“I teach the girls, whatever the situation, to be prepared and play our game. We want the other team adapt to us, not allow the other team control us,” Wilbur said. “Each of our girls knows that anybody can step up when needed. No matter who we put in, I have confidence that they can adapt to the game and keep up the level of intensity.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.