Mustangs fall to ’Nado

COFFEYVILLE — Iola High’s Mustangs continue to build from good things on the basketball court.
Unfortunately, the Mustangs’ building got shaken by the Golden Tornado of Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High Friday night. A 14-0 run in the middle of the second quarter powered the ’Nado to a 65-45 win to open Southeast Kansas League play.
“Coffeyville only suited up eight players, who normally don’t play a lot for them, it was homecoming and they played inspired basketball,” said Bill Peeper, Mustang head coach.
“They played with a purpose and an energy. We did not.”
The Mustangs were hanging in there against Coffeyville. A three-point field goal by Levi Ashmore, who missed Tuesday’s game because of illness, made it 19-14 as the second period opened.
Iola was within three, 21-18 when Coffeyville ripped off 14 unanswered points. A trey by Iola’s Clint Heffern closed the first half with the Mustangs down 35-21.
Coffeyville hit four three-point field goals in the third quarter. It stretched the lead to 52-34 by the end of the period.
“They shot the ball well from outside, hitting nine threes,” Peeper said.
Corey Kennard nailed a trey to start the final period. Iola’s Devon Conner, who came off the bench to score eight points, countered with a three-point play.
The Coffeyville lead ballooned to 61-37 in the fourth quarter.
“Devon played like the Coffeyville players. He came off the bench and had an immediate impact in the second half. He was playing like he was showing us what he can do,” Peeper said.
Conner ended up as the second-leading scorer and rebounder, with four, for the game. Braden Larson led Iola with 12 points.
Early in the game Larson had four of Iola’s first six points. His second basket tied the game at 6-6. Iola led once, 3-0.
Coffeyville rallied to take a 17-11 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The loss puts Iola at 0-1 in SEK play and 1-12 overall. The Mustangs return home Tuesday for the first time since Jan. 4. Iola hosts Chanute High’s Blue Comets.
“We have to keep pushing forward. We’ll be playing at home and maybe we can put something together,” Peeper said.
“Our kids have to play with an attitude that every possession is important.”
Kennard and James Jones each fired in 17 points for Coffeyville.d J.J. Colbert had 10.
Iola won the junior varsity game 53-42 led by Conner with 14 points.
Coffeyville beat Iola 56-49 in the freshman game. Trent Latta had 15 points for Iola followed by Tyler Powelson with 12 and Adam Kauth with 11.
Iola (11-10-13-11—45) (FG/3-pt): Heffern 0/1-0-2-3, Ashmore 0/1-0-2-3, Coons 1-0-0-2, Conner 2/1-1-0-8, J. Latta 1-1-1-3, Sigg 3-0-3-6, Taylor 0-0-2-0, Larson 6-0-3-12, C. Kauth 0/1-0-1-3, Apt 2-1-2-5. TOTALS: 15/4-3-16-65.
Coffeyville (17-18-17-13—65) (FG/3-pt): Kennard 3/3-2-0-17, J. Jones 4/2-3-4-17, Colbert 2/2-0-2-10, Carr 2-2-4-6, Hershey 0/2-0-1-6, E. Jones 1-3-2-5, Schnoor 1-0-0-2, Collins 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 14/9-10-13-65.