Houston boys win Valdez tourney

The Houston Hawks used a second-half surge to beat host Valdez 65-46 during the final day of the Valdez Elks Tournament Feb. 12.

The Hawks finished 3-0 in the tourney and earned the boys team title. Houston is now 14-0 overall.

The Hawks outscored Valdez 42-20 during the final two quarters after trailing by three at the half. Cole Taylor and Hayden Howard scored a game-high 14 points each. Hunter Jefferson added a dozen. Taylor added six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

The night before, Houston beat defending 3A state champion Monroe Catholic 51-46. Howard, Braden Cork and Cody Wyrick scored 13 points each. Jefferson led Houston with eight rebounds.

Houston opened with an 89-44 win over Delta.

Cork scored a game-high 33. He was 14 of 23 from the field, and 4 of 7 from behind the arc. Noah Whitted scored 15 on 6 of 7 shooting. Taylor finished with 12, and Howard chipped in 11. Jefferson had a team-best 11 rebounds.

The Houston girls finished fourth. Emily Bitler used 16 points and eight rebounds to lead Houston to a 48-21 win over Bethel. Abbie Baird added 15 points.

In other action, Nome beat Houston 38-33.

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