BURLINGTON — It may not go down in the annals as the prettiest win in Iola High boys history, but a sparkling first half was more than enough to help the Mustangs end a seven-game losing streak.
Iola blasted its way to a 15-point lead in the first half against Manhattan Job Corps in the consolation semifinals of the 2016 Burlington Invitational Tournament.
Manhattan JC clawed its way to within five points in the second half, but several reserves stepped forward at key times for Iola in a 71-62 victory.
The win puts Iola (2-9) in tonight’s fifth-place game, where it will face Independence at about 8:15 in the Burlington Middle School gymnasium.
“We probably tried to give it away at times, but we persevered,” Iola head coach Jay Applegate said.
A teamwork approach was key.
Starters Brett Taylor, Ethan Holloway and Isaiah Fawson took turns carrying the scoring load in the first half as Iola raced to a 19-13 lead after one quarter.
Holloway had seven points in a 2-minute span late in the half before Fawson drilled a short baseline jumper to push the Mustangs in front 40-25.
The Eagles responded with a 10-0 run stretching into the early part of the third quarter, prompting a Mustang timeout.
Ben Cooper’s steal and layup ended Iola’s 4-minute scoring drought. The Eagles got within six, 47-41, when reserve Chase Regehr scored on a putback for the Mustangs. Cale Barnhart was next with a layup, and suddenly the lead was back into double digits, 51-41.
“Those plays were big for us,” Applegate said.
Sheldon DeWitt’s steal and layup with 2:15 left cut Iola’s lead to 65-59, but that was as close as the Eagles could get down the stretch.
Iola stayed in front despite committing four turnovers over the last 2 minutes of the contest.
“We had a hard time running our offense in the second half,” Applegate said. “We scored 40 in the first half, which is more than we’d scored in some games.”
While pleased with the win, Applegate is hungry for more improvement.
He noted Holloway’s 15 rebounds “probably could have been 25,” but we didn’t do a good job of blocking out.”
Holloway also had 19 points lead all scorers. Fawson scored 17 and Taylor 9.
Shawn Whitmore scored 16 to pace the Eagles. DeWitt followed with 12.
Mustangs pick up tournament victory
