Mustangs cruise past Central Heights

Bill Peeper often speaks about Iola High’s potential if the Mustangs can combine hard-nosed defense with offensive proficiency for four full quarters.
Problem was, the Mustangs have occasionally stumbled through a bad quarter or two, putting them at 3-4 on the season and in the midst of a two-game losing streak.
On Tuesday, Iola put together perhaps its most complete game yet, especially on defense.
The Mustangs throttled visiting Central Heights, outscoring the Vikings 16-3 in the third quarter to break open a close game in a 49-33 win.
“We needed this one,” Mustang head coach Peeper said.
The tone of the game was set in the third quarter, after Iola overcame some early offensive miscues and took a 21-16 lead into halftime.
The Mustangs opened the second half with a box and one defense to counter the scoring of Central Heights standout Jordan Horstick.
With four players sticking to a zone, and Mustang guard Tyler McIntosh shadowing Horstick’s every step, the strategy paid off. The Vikings held the ball for nearly two minutes to start the third quarter before Adam Kauth stepped in front of a pass for a steal.
The turnover led directly to a Kaden Macha layup.
“It was something we worked on in practice and put in our pocket in case anybody got in foul trouble,” Peeper said. “It really seemed to break their rhythm. Tyler McIntosh did an excellent job of keeping up with Horstick. We knew he was a great player, and we wanted to make him run as much as we could. That’s something that won’t show up on the stat sheet, but it was huge.”
The numbers were impressive.
The Mustangs pulled down 15 offensive rebounds and 35 rebounds overall — both season-highs — against a considerably taller Viking front court.
“We did a great job with getting second-chance points, getting to 50-50 balls, just showing hustle all over the court,” Peeper said.
The Mustangs never trailed, even after a sluggish start saw them even with the Vikings, 4-4, midway through the first quarter. Fryendz Wallace’s free throw, followed by a Tyler Powelson basket started an 11-1 run to push Iola on top, 15-5.
Horstick responded with two field goals and a pair of free throws to cut Iola’s lead to 15-11. The Mustangs led 21-15 at the break.
Macha’s fingerprints were all over Iola’s dominant third quarter.
He scored on passes from Trent Latta and Tyler Powelson to get things started, then drained a 3-pointer at the 4:43 mark. Wallace got into the action with a rebound and putback to push the lead to 30-16 before Macha followed a traditional 3-point play.
The Vikings’ vessel was foundering, with Macha still at Mach 1.
He ended Central Heights’ next two possessions with steals, sandwiched around another putback to push Iola’s lead to 35-16.
By the time the dust settled, Macha had scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the period.
While Macha’s work was impressive, Peeper said Powelson’s presence was key.
“Our opponents know Tyler has been our main post scorer,” Peeper said. “As teams focus on him, it’s freeing up opportunities for Kaden and Fryendz. If they can continue to do what they’ve been doing, teams won’t be able to focus on Tyler as much.”
Macha’s night was accentuated with his seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. Wallace followed with nine points, six boards and two assists. Powelson had a team-high eight rebounds to go with two steals, two blocks and two assists. Kauth had six rebounds and two steals. McInotsh had two assists as well.
Horstick wound up with 13 points, only four after halftime. Tyler Hendron followed with eight.
The Mustangs had a scare early in the second half when senior guard and leading scorer Trent Latta hobbled off the court with an apparent knee injury. He returned to action late in the third period, showing no ill effects.

THE MUSTANGS won the junior varsity contest, 38-34. Gus Hopkins led the victors with 14 points, followed by Alex Kelly with eight.
The Mustangs also won the C team contest, 46-18. Isaiah Fawson and Chase Regehr both had eight points. Mason Ingle scored seven.
The 4-4 Mustangs (1-1 in Pioneer League play) return to action Friday at Prairie View.
Central Heights (5-11-2-15—33)
Iola (11-10-16-12—49)
Central Heights (FG-FT-F-TP): Percy 0-0-1-0, Davis 1-0-1-2, Robertson 1-0-0-2, Holler 0-1-2-1, Brown 0-1-1-1, Horstick 4-5-4-13, Pryor 0-0-2-0, Erhart 2-0-2-4, Hendron 2-4-1-8. TOTALS: 11-11-14-33.
Iola (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Latta 2-0-2-4, Mueller 0-0-4-0, Wallace 4-1-3-9, Endicott 0-0-2-0, McIntosh 1-0-2-2, Zimmerman 2-0-1-4, Hermstein 0-0-1-0, Macha 6/1-5-3-20, Kauth 2-0-1-4, Powelson 3-0-0-6. TOTALS: 20/1-6-19-49.