Comeback Fillies flustered in final seconds

WELLSVILLE — A night that could have had much to celebrate, turned on Iola High’s Fillies at the wrong moment.
With a win over Wellsville, Iola would have basically captured the Pioneer League crown. But, the Fillies were on the losing end of a close 44-42 marathon finish on Tuesday.
“It is (tough) because we had lots of chances to win the game,” coach Becky Carlson said. “We had shots inside we should have made, steals that led to layups that we could have made and free throws. We just got in a hurry and didn’t finish our shots.”
Iola was down as much as 12 points, starting the game in a 15-3 hole with 7:15 left in the first half. However, as per usual, the Fillies didn’t give up and fought back to go into halftime down just 24-20.
Midway through the third quarter, the Fillies went on a critical 6-0 run. Toni Macha hit a jumper in the lane, Addie Haar converted on a basket in the lane as well and Sydney Wade stole the ball and then made an uncontested layup. The Fillies trailed 30-29 with three minutes left in the period.
Fast forward to 3:05 remaining in the game. Wade, again, stole the ball and made the layup. She was fouled and knocked down the gimme basket to tie the game at 38-38.
On Iola’s next possession, Wade decided instead of charging through the lane for an old-fashioned 3-pointer, she would try her luck from beyond the arc. She nailed the basket and Iola had its first lead of the game, 41-38, with only 1:55 left to play.
Lexie Long kept the Fillies ahead making one of two free throws, giving Iola a 42-40 lead with 36 seconds left. Wellsville’s Emily Newhouse tied the game with two free throws with 18 seconds left.
Iola’s inbound pass sailed past halfcourt and it was a race for the ball between Wade and Newhouse. It was a 50-50 play, but Newhouse gained control of the ball, while Wade made enough contact for the official to blow the whistle.
Wellsville was in the bonus and Newhouse went to the line. The first attempt was no good. The second went in and gave the Eagle’s a 43-42 lead with 13 seconds left.
Iola still had plenty of time to make a play. Haar took control of the ball after Iola got past the Wellsville press. She went up for a jumper and drew contact in the lane. The ref blew the whistle. Haar was called for the travel.
Iola had to foul, which resulted in another free throw for Wellsville and the eventual win.
“(Wellsville) knocked down their shots at the end. I feel like we really battled to get ourselves back in the game,” Carlson said. “We fought hard, but once we got ahead it was like we let out a gasp of air. But, we played hard.”
Had Iola won, the Fillies would have mathematically won the Pioneer League. With the loss, both Wellsville and Iola are 9-2 in the conference and each have one game left on Thursday.
 Iola (11-7) plays at home against Santa Fe Trail, a team that the Fillies have beaten handily twice this season. Wellsville draws a home game against Prairie View — they beat the Buffaloes 53-48 Feb. 3 on the road.
Carlson thinks the team will bounce back.
“They’re warriors,” Carlson said. “They won’t give up, they wanted to win really bad. I think we will take the good things from today and go on.”

THE JV FILLIES fell 28-21. Toni Macha scored a team- high eight points, while Ashlie Shields and Taylor Sell each followed with three. Jayden Sigg and Della Lohman both scored two points. Taelyn Sutterby made a free throw.

THE FRESHMEN won, 32-19. Colbi Riley scored nine points. Macayla Bycroft and Katie Bauer each scored six points. Carly Cescon and Chloe Gardner each scored four points. Karly McGuffin scored three.
“All of the coaches are very proud of the freshmen Fillies,” coach Chris Weide said. “Every one of the girls has shown a ton of improvement through their hard work. It will be fun to watch them contribute at the junior varsity and varsity levels in the years to come.”

Wellsville 44, Iola 42
Wellsville (12-12-12-8—44) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): McDaniel 1-0-0-2, Erhart 0-9-5-9, Geist 0-0-4-0, Newhouse 2-5-1-9, Dwyer 1/1-4-1-9, Patton 1-5-4-7, Sparks 4-0-4-8, Stringfield 0-0-1-0
Iola (3-17-11-11—42) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Wade 2/2-1-2-11, Long 1-1-3-3, Piazza 1-0-5-2, Shields 1-3-1-5, Haar 2-2-3-6, Platt 1-0-5-2, Driskel 2-1-4-5, Macha 3-2-2-8