HUMBOLDT — In an unlikely matchup forced upon both teams by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Iola High did what it was supposed to do against an undersized, undermanned and winless Marmaton Valley High squad.
The Mustangs scored the game’s first 23 points, held a 46-4 lead at halftime, and were able to get plenty of playing time for Iola’s reserves down the stretch in an 85-15 victory.
The win came in the second round of a special midseason tournament featuring Allen County’s three schools — Iola, Marmaton Valley and Humboldt — as well as St. Paul. The schools normally were slated to be at Yates Center’s midseason tournament, but the pandemic forced organizers to split up the competition.
The tournament wrapped up Friday in Iola, with the Mustangs hosting Humboldt. (Note: due to early press times, results from the Mustang-Cub contest will be available online, and posted in Monday’s Register.)
“I told the guys before the game that the only way we get better is if we do what we’re supposed to do: take care of the ball, find the open shots and defend the way we’re supposed to defend,” Iola head coach Luke Bycroft said. “We did that.”
And how.
Iola had little trouble muscling inside for open looks, moving the ball around the perimeter for senior sharpshooter Landon Carson to connect from 3-point range, and forcing myriad Wildcat turnovers for transition buckets.
Tyler Boeken scored on three straight possessions to push Iola’s lead to 15- 0 by the 4:25 mark of the first quarter. A Jack Adams steal and layup followed by 3-pointers by Dillon Bycroft and Carson had the lead at 23-0 before Marmaton Valley’s Quincy Adams hit a baseline runner with 2 minutes remaining in the period.
The Wildcats then showed some life early in the second quarter. Dylan Drake scored inside, and the Wildcats held Iola scoreless for the first 2 ½ minutes of the period.
But Marmaton Valley could only hold the fort for so long, as the Mustangs ended with another flourish. Nathan Louk scored off a nifty Carson assist to break Iola’s brief dry spell, Boeken scored again, and the Mustangs were off to the races.
Iola’s reserves got into the act after intermission. Cooper Riley scored all 12 of his points in the third and fourth quarters, while Pat Weaver scored eight of his 11 after the break.
Iola’s lead stood at 69-10 by the end of the third period, triggering a running clock the rest of the way.
Seven Mustang players scored at least eight points in the win. Carson led the way with 22 points, three steals and three assists. Riley followed with a double-double, 12 points and 11 rebounds. Boeken also scored 12. Louk added 10 points and four steals, while Pat Weaver had 11 points. Dillon Bycroft had eight points and six assists, Adams had eight points and six steals. Sam Fager also had four steals. Eli Smith dished out three assists.
As has been his motto all season, Marmaton Valley head coach Gavin Cole has taken a big-picture approach to his team’s development. With only eight players on the roster, and no seniors, the Wildcats’ growth oftentimes will not be evident on the scoreboard, he noted. “The only failure we’ve got is in not trying,” he said.
To that end, he noted the Wildcats’ improved effort from recent contests.
“We played harder,” Cole said. Even though we were far from good, our intensity was much better. Obviously, Iola’s strengths play against our weakness. They can really hound the ball-handler, and that’s one of our weaknesses, dealing with ball pressure.
