ALTAMONT — For much of the first half Wednesday, Iola High’s defense was clicking on all cylinders.
Despite not being able to get much going on offense, the Fillies were able to harass Labette County’s guards and post players through much of the first and seconds quarters. Labette County’s only offense to speak of in the first period was a pair of late Michaela O’Brien putbacks.
The Fillies found their groove midway through the second period. Addie Haar hit a layup, and Kyra Moore’s 3-pointer with 2:59 left in the half pulled Iola to within five points of the lead, 13-8.
The tide turned in a hurry.
The Grizzlies ended the half with four straight points, then outscored Iola 23-0 in the third quarter. They coasted to the finish from there in a 44-15 win to end Iola’s season in the opening round of the Class 4A substate playoffs.
Aside from their early defense, Iola had other bright spots.
Hannah Endicott drilled a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth frame for the Fillies, part of her team-high nine points. And on multiple occasions, Iola players attempted to force turnovers or tie-ups by diving after loose balls and deflecting passes.
Despite the loss — Iola ends the season with a 1-19 record — Fillies coach Becky Carlson said the team can hold its head high.
“This team played with a lot of class all year long,” Carlson said., “This was a fun team to coach.”
The game turned on Labette County’s defensive pressure, Carlson said.
“The first half was good, but they did a couple of things later on that frustrated us,” Carlson said. “And we lost our composure a little bit.”
Neither team did much in the early going.
Endicott’s 3-pointer three minutes into the game gave Iola a 3-2 lead. The score was tied at 3-3 before O’Brien’s flurry to end the quarter put Labette County up 8-3. Sadie Atkins drained a 3-pointer to put the lead at 11-3 before Addie Haar drove in for a layup for the Fillies. O’Brien hit a pair of free throws, which were countered by Moore’s trey to cut the gap to 13-8.
O’Brien connected inside, then Erica Gartner hit a pair of free throws to give Labette County a 17-8 halftime lead.
Then came the fateful third quarter, which put the Grizzlies up 40-8, triggering a running clock in the fourth period.
The Fillies were hampered from the start. Starting point guard Emma Piazza missed the contest with an ankle injury. Emma Sigg was inserted into the starting lineup, and freshman Ashlie Shields was bumped up onto the varsity squad.
“I thought Ashlie did a nice job for us,” Carlson said. “The girls never gave up and fought hard.”
Haar and Moore added three points each for Iola. Jo Lohman had six rebounds, while Emery Driskel and Lexie Long pulled in two steals apiece.
O’Brien scored 20 and Atkins nine to pace Labette County.
The game was the last in a Fillies uniform for seniors Reagan Ford and Emily Ware. Iola also lost the services of senior Libby Shay in January with a knee injury.
“I’m so proud of our seniors, and their attitude and leadership, and the role they played,” Carlson said.
The Grizzlies advance to face Towanda-Circle, which defeated El Dorado 55-47 in overtime Tuesday. In the other semifinals, Chanute will face host Independence. Both semifinal games are Friday.
Iola (3-5-0-7—15)
Labette Co. (8-9-23-4—44)
Iola (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Long 0-0-3-0, Moore 0/1-0-1-3, Lohman 0-0-1-0, Ford 0-0-1-0, Endicott 0/3-0-4-9, Haar 1-1-4-3, Platt 0-0-2-0, Driskel 0-0-2-0, Ware 0-0-1-0. TOTALS: 1/4-1-20-15.
Labette Co. (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Gartner 0-2-2-2, Stevenson 0-1-3-1, Atkins 3/1-0-1-9, Kimbrough 1-0-2-2, O’Brien 6-8-2-20, Clemans 1-0-2-2, Sorell 1-0-1-2, Rakestraw 1-4-2-6. TOTALS: 13/1-15-15-44.
3rd quarter dooms Fillies
