By Taylor Penn

Staff Writer

Howe 42, Pottsboro 28

The Howe Lady Bulldogs clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday night with a 14-point win on the road over the Pottsboro Lady Cardinals. The Lady Bulldogs improved their district record to 8-4 with the win, good enough to lock down a playoff spot in District 11-2A. Madison Wilson led the Lady Bulldogs with a team-high 15 points. Morgan Bailey and Baleigh Hudman each contributed seven points in the contest. Jennifer Vincent also chipped in with six points. Howe sits third in district behind first place Gunter and second place Whitewright.

Gunter 60, Howe 33

Howe played host to the No. 23 state-ranked Gunter Lady Tigers on Friday, losing by 27 in a one-sided loss. Howe kept the game barely within reach in the first half - falling behind 33-21 to the district-leading Lady Tigers - but freshman phenom Alex Jones and company proved to be too much for the Lady Bulldogs to handle in the second half. Morgan Bailey picked up her fifth foul nearly halfway through the third quarter, and the Lady Bulldogs were forced to play the majority of the second half without one of their key contributors. Gunter enjoyed a significant rebounding advantage against Howe, thanks in large part to their size advantage at the post position. Howe trailed by 17 heading into the fourth quarter, and that deficit increaded by eight immediately as Gunter went on an 11-3 run to start the final quarter of play. The Lady Bulldogs were able to break the Gunter press, but struggled to generate any offense once they broke the half-court line. Baleigh Hudman led Howe with 11 points and Jennifer Vincent chipped in seven in the losing effort. Howe is back in action on Friday as it hosts Callisburg in its last regualr season home game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.