Seventh-graders fall at Pony Stampede

Iola Middle School’s seventh grade boys basketball teams gave a strong effort at the Pony Stampede on Saturday, but couldn’t find a win.
The A-Team lost its first game to Fort Scott 43-22. Cason Barker led the team with 10 points, while Cal Leonard followed with eight. Brady Wiggin and Noah Ashmore each made a basket and grabbed seven rebounds.
In the third place game, Iola lost to Chanute 38-22. Barker again led the team in scoring with 10 points as well as in rebounds with seven. Leonard scored seven points, Ashmore added three and Devon Reiter made a basket.
“The boys played hard all day,” coach Marty Taylor said. “Cason had two of his better games this year on both sides of the floor.”
The B-Team lost to Fort Scott 30-25 to start the day.
Karson McGraw led the Ponies with 11 points. Brody Nemecek and Elijah Fawson each scored six points. Asher Sievers made a basket.
Iola lost to Independence 27-20 in the third place game. Nemecek led the team with eight points. Fawson and Sievers both added four points. McGraw and Royce Smith each made a basket.
“Karson McGraw did a good job of handling the ball and taking it to the basket,” Taylor said. “Elijah Fawson was much more aggressive and made some nice plays.”