Iola Middle School’s seventh-grade Ponies captured first place in their round-robin portion of Saturday’s IMS 7th Grade Pony Stampede.
With Iola, Pittsburg and Parsons all finishing 1-1, it went to a tie-breaker. The Ponies took first because they allowed the fewest points against them in their two games.
“The improvement from day one to this weekend for these kids is incredible,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head basketball coach. “We are not where we want to be yet but we are getting better.”
Iola opened with a 28-23 win over Pittsburg. The Ponies led 15-7 at halftime and were up 20-17 after three quarters.
Brett Taylor scored eight points and dished out three assists. Brice Aiello had seven points and grabbed seven rebounds. Colby Works had six points.
Keanan Badders controlled nine rebounds and tossed in four points. Trevor Cox scored two points and Gus Hopkins had one point.
Parsons defeated Iola 43-38. The Ponies trailed 20-13 at halftime.
Taylor fired in 11 points and had three assists. Aiello pulled down 14 rebounds and scored eight points. Ethan Sigg had eight points and seven rebounds.
Badders had four points while Works scored three points and had two assists. Hopkins came up with eight rebounds and scored two points and Cox had two points.
“Brett gave us a lift on offense and Brice on the boards all day,” Taylor said.
Pittsburg beat Parsons 48-41. In the other round-robin of the day, Independence won, followed by Pittsburg No. 2 and Chanute’s Royster.
IMS takes first at Pony Stampede
