By Jack Walker

Staff Writer

The Howe basketball program suffered a double-header loss to Honey Grove at home on Friday night as the Warriors notched their first district win in boys basketball and the girls kept their share of first place with a win.

Honey Grove 56, Lady Bulldogs 32

The Lady Bulldog defense held the area's top two scorers to just 17 points on Friday night but could not generate enough offense to spring an upset, falling to the co-league leaders by a 56-32 count on the home court.

Deosha Mackey and Jessica Brigham were each averaging over 16 points-per-game coming into the contest and they were held to about half that total by the stingy Lady Bulldog defense. Howe's offense never got started, however, and hopes for an upset and a shot at one of the playoff berth's from district 11-2A were dimmed.

Honey Grove got 18 points from Chelsea Edwards and jumped out to a 34-16 halftime lead before coasting home for the win. Honey Grove and Gunter are tied at the top with 8-1 records for the season.

Ashley Davis had 12 points to lead the Howe attack and Maddie Potter added eight. The offensive slump continues for the usually reliable Paige Potter who is going through a horrendous shooting struggle.

Honey Grove17 17 10 12-56

Howe 6 10 6 10-32

H: Ashley Davis 12, Maddie Potter 8, Katy Courtney 5, Morgan Bailey 2, Katie Pelzel 2, Morgan England 2, Paige Potter 1.

Honey Grove 55, Howe 48

In the nightcap, the Honey Grove Warriors sprang a huge upset, getting their first league win in a 55-48 battle with the Bulldogs. Darius Brown scored 21 and Dillon Baugh added 12 as the Warriors got that first win.

Howe took a 27-22 lead to the halftime intermission before the Warriors battled back. A Baugh basket early in the fourth gave the visitors a lead they never lost on the way to the eight-point win. The loss deals a serious blow to Howe's playoff hopes, dropping them to fifth place in the league.

Kenny Herbert had 15 points to lead the Bulldogs and Matt Dowlen added 11.

Honey Grove12 10 13 20-55

Howe 11 17 9 11-48

H: Kenny Herbert 15, Matt Dowlen 11, Dalton Harris 10, Jordan Gray 3, Alex Torres 3, Bronco Wildman 2, Chase Fountaine 2, Casey Davis 2.