BURLINGTON — Iola Middle School’s seventh-grade girls basketball team took first place at Burlington’s tournament Saturday.
In the first round, Iola beat host Burlington, 27-16. Kelsey Morrison scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds. Sydni Keagle scored 10 points and came down with seven rebounds. Gaby Lampe had four points and three rebounds, while Ella Taylor made a free throw.
The Ponies beat Chanute, 22-21, in the championship game. Morrison hit a clutch baseline jumper with nine seconds left to give Iola its first lead in the game.
“The girls worked so hard today, they deserved the championship,” coach Marty Taylor said. “We got down 19-3 against Chanute, but the girls never put their heads down. They just played harder and never quit.”
Morrison led the team with eight points and added six rebounds. Keagle scored six points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Ella Taylor scored five points and took in three rebounds. Gaby Lampe scored a basket and grabbed five boards, while Allie Fager scored a free throw and pulled in four rebounds.
The eighth-grade girls took third.
Iola lost its first game, 42-8, against Burlington. Piper Moore scored four points and came down with 10 rebounds. Mia Aronson also scored four points.
“The girls did a good job of coming back from the Burlington game and finished with a win against Eureka,” Taylor said.
Iola beat Eureka in the third-place game, 30-20.
Moore scored a season-high 20 points and had five rebounds. Kendra Sprague scored three points and had five rebounds, while Aronson scored a free throw and had four rebounds. Madisyn Holloway scored six points and Kassy Shelby had six rebounds.
“Piper did a better job against Eureka by staying under control,” Taylor said. “Jennifer Tidd came off the bench and gave us some good minutes.”
Iola plays at Chanute’s Royster Middle School today.
7th grade Ponies win tourney
