Lady Tigers open district play

The Mountain Home Lady Tigers opened District III 4A Girls Basketball Tournament action at Bishop Kelly last night against Emmett hoping to make the most of the age-old cliche of the "brand new season."

The Lady Tigers finished their regular season schedule 2-8 in league play, and 2-17 overall, but Mountain Home Lady Tiger Coach Karen Kohring is optimistic heading into the district tourney.

"I feel really good. We have the potential. I don't think that we've played to our potential yet, and it is a new season, and we've got to realize that, and we're going to be a spoiler -- that's what we're going to go in with -- with that attitude."

The Lady Tigers closed out their regular season schedule last Thursday at Vallivue, against the top-seeded Lady Falcons, losing 46-17. A 21-4 fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the game, that saw Mountain Home play good defense, but unable to put the ball in the hoop with any authority.

"We did play pretty tough defensively,' said Coach Kohring of the Vallivue game. "I thought we shut them down and got the turnovers, but that old offensive conversion just is not happening right now, and we've got to find something that works to get the ball in the hoop!"

Lauren Hicks led Mountain Home in scoring with seven points. Kim Neely added five points, Amanda Bitterman scored three, and Kim Gulley scored two.

The Lady Tigers shot a frigid 14 percent (6/43) from the field, including only one of five (20 percent) on three-pointers. Mountain Home made only four of 16 free throws for 25 percent.

Vallivue shot 35 percent (18/52) from the field, including 22 percent (2/9) from long range. They cashed in at the free throw line for eight of 13 (62 percent).

The Lady Tigers forced 24 Vallivue turnovers, but had 26 of their own, and were not able to turn that many of them into points.

The District III 4A Girls basketball Tournament continues tomorrow night, with last night's winners playing against Vallivue and Bishop Kelly.

Consolation bracket games are set for Tuesday night, with the Third Place and Championship games set for Feb. 12. The top two teams from the District advance to the 4A State Tournament at Timberline Feb. 19-21, with the Third Place team traveling to Grangeville on Feb. 14 to face the number two team from the north, with that winner advancing to state.