The Iola Mustangs’ War on 54 Basketball Tournament fate is in their hands after falling in the opening round of pool play to Cherryvale 59-37.
After ending the first quarter ahead 13-11, Iola’s lack of available players and inexperience may have set in as Cherryvale went on a 23-8 run to take control of the contest by halftime.
“We got tired and we don’t have much depth. Our inexperience showed,” Iola coach Emily Sigg said. “They’re a 3-point shooting team, and we knew they were going to get hot. Instead of responding and getting a hand in their face, we just kind of stopped. It was frustrating.”
For Cherryvale, Harmony John was by far their most productive player with 23 points, including five 3-pointers.
Iola was not without a pair of standout performances from junior forward Zoie Hesse and freshman guard Haidyn Desmarteau. The pair combined for 27 of Iola’s 37 points with Desmarteau posting a team-leading 17 points while Hesse put up 10. Brooklyn Holloway posted 6 points while junior forward Mahalia Burris and freshman forward Cameron Wille had a bucket each.
“We talk about what we can learn, because even our older girls are not very experienced,” Coach Sigg said. “We need to have a good practice. When we have a good practice, then we play alright. When we’re growing at practice it reflects in the game.”
The Mustangs can play for third place Friday, but to do that they must first defeat the Crest Lady Lancers on Thursday. Although a 1A program, the Lancers are deceptively talented, and Coach Sigg believes adjusting to their relentless attack will be key to victory Thursday.
“They’re not a 3-point shooting team, but they go really hard. We’re going to have to find a way to work harder,” Sigg said.
