HOUSTON - The Houston Lady Toppers gained two wins last week including a district win over the South Pontotoc Lady Cougars.

The Lady Toppers jumped out to the 22-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, then slowed the pace a little in the second.

"We definitely stared out a little slower than normal," said Coach Dana Buchanan. "South had a key player out and our girls let the pressure off them a little. It wasn't quite as intense as usual."

The Lady Toppers picked the pace back up somewhat in the second half, outscoring South 34-19 and going on to a 70-44 win.

"We didn't have any trouble with the press," Buchanan said. "They handled it better than they have all year. The offense looked smooth and over all they played well."

Tynita Baker led for Houston with 24 points, followed by Tiffany Pierce with 15 and Chancedy Pulliam with 12. South was led by Morgan Wilson with 12 and Chantel Litsey with 11.

The win moved the Lady Toppers to 12-1 on the year and 2-0 in district.

On Thursday, the Lady Toppers hosted a neighborhood rival, the East Webster Wolverines and handed the Cumberland ladies a 65-35 loss. The Lady Toppers held the Lady Wolves in single digits through the first three quarters and had no problem hitting the buckets.

"They thought they were going to take us on the dribble but we stopped that," Buchanan said. "I don't know if he was trying to hold the ball and keep the scoring low, but there's a reason we play half court and there's a reason we press."

The Lady Toppers were led by Tiffany Pierce with 15 points, followed by Kat Payne, Tynita Baker and Chancedy Pulliam with 10 each.

Toppers down Cougars, Wolves

The Hilltoppers gained a district win of their own over the South Pontotoc Cougars although they had to dig a little to get it. After trailing 20-13 after the first quarter, the Toppers came back strong with a 24-point second quarter to close the gap to one point going into the half.

The third quarter saw both teams go even, but the Toppers got the tying and go ahead points for the 66-65 district win.

The victory put the Toppers at 11-4 on the year and 2-0 in district play.

Leading for Houston was Malcolm Hogan with 15 followed by Evander Wofford with 14.

The Toppers had an easier time with the Wolverines of East Webster on Thursday, posting a 17-7 first quarter lead and heading toward a 76-64 win.

Upcoming action

The Houston teams were set to head to Winona for a district match on Tuesday. They will host the Chiefs and Lady Chiefs of Okolona for a non-division, county match this Saturday in the Houston gym.