For all of Iola High’s offensive struggles Monday, their defensive intensity had given the Mustangs a chance.
Iola trailed by 10 midway through the third quarter, when a free throw by Josie Plumlee, a 3-pointer not much later by Aysha Houk and a score underneath by Reese Curry made things interesting.
Iola had pulled to within six, 25-19, against the Class 5A Timberwolves squad, and had momentum on its side.
But Blue Valley had a response.
The Timberwolves wore down Iola’s defenders inside and began hitting their shots outside as part of a 17-3 run to put the game away.
Iola’s 49-28 defeat came in a game tacked on to the end of the 2021-22 season because neither team had qualified for its respective Iola trailed by 10 midway through the third quarter, when a free throw by Josie Plumlee, a 3-pointer not much later by Aysha Houk and a score underneath by Reese Curry made things interesting.
Iola had pulled to within six, 25-19, against the Class 5A Timberwolves squad, and had momentum on its side.
But Blue Valley had a response.
The Timberwolves wore down Iola’s defenders inside and began hitting their shots outside as part of a 17-3 run to put the game away.
Iola’s 49-28 defeat came in a game tacked on to the end of the 2021-22 season because neither team had qualified for its respective substate competition.
Iola ends with a 4-17 record, and bids adieu to six graduating seniors, Plumlee, Chloe Sell, Maci Miller, Jenna Curry, Elanie Sturgeon and Miah Shelby.
“That’s why it’s so hard,” head coach Kelsey Johnson said. “I wouldn’t have fought so hard for a last game if I didn’t want to have them play one more time.”
Iola, a Class 4A school, scheduled the larger Blue Valley Southwest after two potential 4A opponents, Coffeyville-Field Kindley and El Dorado, both declined to play the extra game.
So Iola decided to pursue the last game against a larger school, and found a willing opponent in Blue Valley Southwest.
The game started at a snail’s pace.
Iola went without a field goal through the first quarter, but still led 4-2 on Miller’s four free throws.
