One could see the success coming. Houston girls basketball played last year’s good 1A East teams tough. They began this year as about the only (former) 1A East team with continuity. Twenty-six games later, Dale Moga has the good team. Houston ended the season with three more wins to finish 22-4 (SEC-East champs). It is the best Hurricane girl’s campaign ever dating back to 1977 (program inception), the first winning season. The previous best was 12-13 in 2004-2005. A match-up with Randolph (16-6) had seeding implications. The winner sought the 5-seed in the state’s toughest Class A section. Houston led 31-19 at the half. Randolph made a run, taking a lead late. An Amber Chapel three and free throws by the Rostad sisters (7 of 8 late) propelled Houston to a 64-61 win, their best victory of the year. Alyssa Rostad (21 pts, 0-7 twos, 5-6 threes, 6-9 FTs, 9 rebs) led the way. Chapel (14 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assists), Becca Rostad (14 pts, 7-7 FTs), and Jessica Kitching (9 pts, 5 assists) helped. Megan Erickson (17 pts), Andrea Splichal (15 pts), Hannah Neil (15 pts), and Alyssa Whitson (10 pts) led the Rockets. Houston hit 9 of 18 threes, though Randolph buried 11 trifectas. The ‘Canes slightly had an edge at the line (H 13-18, R 10-16). The win clinched Houston’s first 20-win season. They then got past R-P 44-35 despite shooting 26% (field) and 24% (three). The ‘Canes made 85% of their free throws (17-20). A-Rostad (13 pts, 7-8 FTS) and Chapel (13 pts) hit double-digits. Becca Lee added 8 points (2-4 FGS, 4-5 FTs). Lauren Lawston (14 pts), Kjersta Hinz (8 pts), and Megan Oian (7 pts, 10 rebs) led R-P. It was Houston’s first win over R-P in 16-plus meetings (prior to 2004-2005). Finally, the ‘Canes performed an SEC-East sweep (8-0) by beating M-C 54-32. Chapel (16 pts, 7-10 FTS, 4 stls), Kitching (15 pts, 6-8 FTs, 8 rebs), and A-Rostad (10 pts, 10 rebs) led the way. Kenidi McCabe (14 pts) paced the Cougars. The teams’ previous meeting went to overtime. In the new 20-team, no sub-sections, 1A tourney, 5-seed Houston (11-2, 22-4) will host 12-seed Southland (6-16) in the round of 16.
Houston Girls Finish 22-4
