Iola Middle School’s dominant start to the girls basketball season can be boiled down to a single word — effort.
“Right now, the girls are playing harder than everybody else,” head coach Marty Taylor said.
The eighth-graders were dominant on defense for the second game in a row in a 23-11 win over visiting Independence.
“Our defense and hustle was the difference tonight,” Taylor said.
Several Pony girls played key roles in the win, with a trio sharing high-scoring honors.
Sydney Wade, Riley Murry and Lexi Heslop each scored six points for Iola, while Toni Macha was right behind with five. Wade also accounted for seven steals, five assists and two rebounds. Macha had nine boards, Heslop seven and Murry two.
Iola’s offense found its stride in the third quarter. Leading 9-6 at the break, the Ponies broke open the contest with an 8-2 run.
“Taylor Stout gave us a boost on defense, and Jadyn Sigg gave us some good minutes off the bench,” Taylor said.
The seventh-graders weren’t as successful. Independence led 11-0 after one quarter in a 34-13 win.
Katie Bauer led IMS with four points and nine rebounds. Eliza Hale added three points and five rebounds. Colbi Riley, Karly McGuffin and Emma Weseloh scored two points each. Riley and McGuffin had six and five rebounds, respectively.
“We dig ourselves such a big hole to start our games,” Taylor said, “but I thought the girls made some strides tonight after we got going. Katie Bauer played hard for us tonight.”
A pair of clutch free throws by Carley Cescon in the B team game in the final minute of regulation sent the contest into overtime, 7-7, but the Ponies could not score in the extra frame of a 10-7 loss.
Cescon, Madison Carlin and Brook Storrer scored two points each for Iola. Eliza Hale added one point.
Iola travels to Garnett Monday.
Pony eighth-graders win in romp
