COFFEYVILLE — Iola Middle School’s Ponies dropped a couple of close ones Thursday against Coffeyville’s Roosevelt Middle School.
The IMS eighth-grade A-team lost 41-31. The Ponies trailed 21-15 at halftime.
“I think the kids learned that they can play with anybody but to beat the best you have to get rid of the five or six mental errors that just killed us tonight,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head coach.
Tyler McIntosh fired in 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Ponies. Trent Latta added eight points.
Adam Kauth had five points and Tyler Powelson had four. John Whitworth scored two points.
“Tyler McIntosh played much better tonight and Jesse Zimmerman gave us a big lift off the bench,” Taylor said.
Coffeyville had a better second half than the Iola seventh-grade team. Iola was up 15-14 at halftime but lost 36-32.
“I thought our effort was outstanding. We missed some big opportunities but it wasn’t from lack of hustle,” Taylor said.
“Kaden (Macha) did a great job of playing hard when a lot of things weren’t going our way.”
Kaden Macha shot in 14 points and had five re-bounds. Drew Faulhaber scored nine points. Isaiah Grover had seven points and four rebounds. Alex Bauer had two points.
Iola’s B-teams play at home Saturday against Chanute Christian. The seventh-grade game is at 9 a.m. followed by the eighth-grade game at 10.
Iola goes to Chanute Monday for makeup games from Jan. 7.
