A 19-point performance from Kelsey Morrison wasn’t enough to save the Iola Fillies on Friday against Anderson County.
The Fillies enjoyed a three-point lead heading into the fourth, but couldn’t hold on, losing 42-37. The loss is Iola’s fourth in a row.
“We were so aggressive, then all of a sudden we seemed timid,” Iola head coach Becky Carlson said. “It was almost like I don’t want to be the one that messes up. We went full force playing to win until that little stretch.”
Carlson went with a full starting five of seniors for the group’s final game in front of their home crowd. The Bulldogs rattled off an 8-0 run to start before Carlson inserted Iola’s usual starters with 5:55 on the clock.
Too many Filly turnovers told the tale early on until Morrison caught fire. She scored seven points in the period as the Fillies battled their way to 10-10 tie heading into the second.
Anderson County retook the lead with a pair of triples, but Morrison remained in the groove, scoring seven more points in the quarter to help Iola earn a 23-18 lead at intermission.
“She is just aggressive,” Carlson said. “She is aggressive to the hole, and our posts did a great job of finding her.”
The Bulldogs came within three after a long-range effort, but Morrison answered with a triple of her own to keep the Fillies ahead by four. Anderson County chipped away at Iola’s lead in the third, but the Fillies remained in front 33-30 with one quarter to play.
Anderson County opened the fourth with back-to-back 3-pointers, and executed an 11-0 run to take a 41-33 lead. The Fillies didn’t get on the board until Becca Sprague converted 2 of 2 from the line with 2:04 remaining. Iola was held to four points in the quarter as the Bulldogs rallied for the comeback victory.
But Friday’s game wasn’t only about the result, but to celebrate the contributions of its seniors. Morrison, Elysia Kunkler, Rachel Bycroft, Ella Taylor and Gabby Lampe all received the start in honor of their efforts. The only non-starting senior was Gabby Richards, who had been out for several weeks with a knee injury.
“They are some of the hardest workers,” Carlson said. “They set the tone for this group. Even though some of them don’t get as much playing time, they are all hard workers, and every one of them as set the bar as far as work ethic.
The Fillies will be on the road Tuesday when they travel to play Osawatomie.
YOUNG FILLIES
The freshman/sophomore Fillies defeated Anderson County 43-6 on Friday. Iola was led by Aysha Houk, who finished with 26 points. Also on the scoresheet was Elanie Sturgeon with six, Reece Murry scoring four, Caien Cloud chipping in three, and Halle McDermit, Maci Miller, and Miah Shelby scoring two each.
Box Score
Iola (10-13-10-4—37) (pts): Gardner 4, Morrison 19, Kunkler 5, Sprague 7, Sell 2.
