A number of key defensive plays down the stretch gave Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade A team a victory to wrap up the 2013 season Monday. THE EIGHTH-GRADE A-team took full control with an 11-0 run to start the second quarter, most of which came from Braden Plumlee racing ahead of the Pittsburg defenders for easy layups. Plumlee scored 10 of Iola’s 15 points in the period. THE PONY seventh-grade A team trailed 7-0 early before rattling off seven straight points to tie the score early in the second quarter. But Pittsburg rattled off 14 unanswered points to end the half with a 21-7 lead. IN B TEAM action, Pittsburg won the eighth-grade contest 48-20.
The Ponies raced to an early 24-8 lead over visiting Pittsburg Middle School.
The Purple Dragons slowly, but surely, chipped away at the lead, pulling to within four points in the final two minutes. But a key steal by the Ponies’ Garrett Wade defused the threat in a 48-41 victory.
“A great way to finish the season,” Iola coach Marty Taylor said. “These kids were out-manned, but they really stepped up and played hard all night.”
In other action Monday, the seventh-grade A team fell to Pittsburg 39-23, while both B teams also fell.
The Dragons closed to within 28-16 at halftime and 39-31 after three quarters.
Pittsburg’s Noah Vaughn drained a 3-pointer with 1:35 left, pulling Pittsburg to within 43-39.
Each team went a combined 2 for 4 from the free throw line in their next two possessions.
Iola’s Ben Cooper drained a free throw with 27 seconds left before Wade stepped in and stole the ball as a Pittsburg player drove to the hoop. His subsequent free throws with 14 seconds left provided the final seven-point margin.
Plumlee led the way with 19 points and six rebounds, followed by Wade’s eight points and five boards. Chase Regehr had seven points and eight rebounds, while Cooper had seven points, two rebounds and seven assists. Ethan Scheibmeir and Joey Zimmerman added five and two points, respectively.
“The last two minutes we did a good job of taking care of the basketball and knocking down free throws,” Taylor said. “Ben and Braden set the tone right from the start. They got out and ran the floor and put Pittsburg on its heels.
“This whole group of eighth-graders should be proud of what they accomplished this year,” he continued. “It’s been a great group to work with, and I know they will do well as future Mustangs.”
The eighth-graders ended with an 8-4 record.
The Ponies scored the first four points of the third quarter to pull within 10, but the Dragons put the game away with another 10-0 run.
“We missed a ton of easy shots early, and that kind of put us on behind the eight ball,” Taylor said. “But the kids played hard and didn’t quit.”
Ethan Holloway led the way for Iola with nine points and seven rebounds. Evan Sigg followed iwth six points and seven rebounds. Matt Komma had four points and eight boards. Nick Vaughn and Dalton Ryherd scored two points each.
The seventh-graders ended the season with a 10-2 mark.
“This group improved more than any group I’ve had from day one to the end of the season,” Taylor said. “They’re a great bunch of kids, and I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Zane Beasley scored nine points, Rhett Allen had eight and Darius Greenawalt six. Gage Cleaver chipped in with four points. Joey Zimmerman had one.
The seventh-grade B team fell 31-12. Ryherd scored seven points, Cale Barnhart had three and and Bryce Andres two for the Ponies.
IMS teams go 1-3 in season finales
