Hawk girls clash with Grizzlies

BOB MARTINSON/ Frontiersman reporter

HOUSTON - The Houston girls fought through a scrappy and floor-burning home game to come out on top 44-40 on Saturday night over the Grace Christian Grizzlies.

The game stayed close throughout, despite a two-point third quarter for the Hawks. Grace managed just six points in the third.

Courtney Elder led the Hawks with 12 points.

"Courtney really stepped forward scoring 10 of our first 12 points to establish things early," Hawk head coach Jason Spakousky said. "It was important for us, and Kassi Tresham got a lot of steals for us as well."

Elder shot 6-of-10 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.

Tresham led the Hawks with seven assists and seven steals. Rachel Stewart added 11 points and six boards.

The Grizzlies brought a large crowd and their own cheerleading squad all the way from Anchorage, but the impressive support wasn't enough down the stretch.

With 1:06 to play, Hawk freshman Jennifer Mason had the ball and the Hawks had a 39-38 lead. Her short jumper made it 41-38 and she drew a foul getting the crowd into it, but missed the free throw.

Houston coasted in after Stewart added one more basket, sending the noisy visitors home grumbling.

The Hawks are in action again tonight, facing Anchorage Christian at 7 p.m. at ACS.