Houghtelling pours in 32 points to garner girls MVP recognition

CAMBRIDGE -- In the 19th annual Cambridge C.S.O. All-Star basketball game the East team defeated the West 91-56.

Christina Houghtelling of Cambridge was named MVP for the winning squad. On her way to capturing the MVP title, Houghtelling set a new scoring record for the C.S.O. with 32 points in the contest.

The record was previously held by Jami Kubik of Cambridge, who scored 29 points in 1994.

Houghtelling said that she really enjoyed playing her final basketball game in front of family and friends in Cambridge. "This is so much fun for being my last game. It was so awesome seeing my (Cambridge) teammates on the side," Houghtelling said.

"I looked at (Cambridge teammate) Staci Moore every time I missed a free throw and she would laugh at me."

The MVP for the West All-Stars was Ashley McKillip of Hayes Center. McKillip scored 10 points to be the second leading scorer for the West squad.

Emily Humphrey of Wauneta-Palisade scored 11 points to lead the West All-Stars.

"It was a lot of fun playing with area girls that I usually compete against," Humphrey said.

"I was really surprised about getting MVP, but it was a really exciting way to go out for my last basketball game."

Guard Kayla Brooks of Republican Valley continually looked for and found Houghtelling in the post.

It was no coincidence that Brooks and Houghtelling were able to work with each other so well.

"We used to play together from fifth to eighth grade," Houghtelling said. "So, it was like old times and we meshed real well."

Brooks said she enjoyed the opportunity to play on the same team with Houghtelling.

"We used to play on the same team in 'Hoop It Up‚' so it's nice to get to play with her again," Brooks said. "Plus, it's always nice to have someone six feet tall (6-2) under the hoop."

With the win the East extended its lead in the series to 8-3 over the West.

The head coach for the East All-Stars was Galen Kronhofman of Alma with assistant coach Ron Casper of Republican Valley.

Barry Schaeffer from Culbertson was the head coach for the West team.

All proceeds derived from the Cambridge C.S.O. All-Star basketball games will be used to fund the various Cambridge Community School Organization school year activities.

West 8 23 15 10 -- 56

East 17 27 23 24 -- 91

West: Colton 7, Fortkamp 3, Humphrey 11, Hansen 8, Smith 8, Fangman 8, McKillip 10, McCormick 4.

East: Brooks 4, McCoy 4, Bauer 12, Banzhaf 3, McClelland 9, Stritt 13, Houghtelling 32, Richards 6, Freeland 8.