GARNETT — Iola High School’s girls basketball season didn’t begin the way the Mustangs wanted it to. IHS lost to Anderson County 45-27. “We don’t have a lot of varsity experience,” said IHS head coach Kelsey Johnson. “We don’t understand the quick turnaround needed after a mistake. You have to just keep playing, you can’t stay in your head. That was frustrating to watch because it doesn’t happen in practice. They are harder on themselves in the game.” The Mustangs started slow but were able to hold serve with Anderson County. The two teams were tied 10-10 after the first quarter. Anderson County pulled away after a sloppy second quarter. The Bulldogs took advantage of a mismatch in height and good shooting to extend their lead as the first half wound down. “I have two starters out there who are undersized,” Johnson said of Anderson County’s height advantage. “They are battlers. I have a girl on the bench who is the same way.” At times in the first half, IHS shot the ball well, but a lack of second-chance shots plagued the Mustangs. Johnson got on her team during each timeout in the first half, emphasizing the need to rebound and prevent Anderson County from getting second-chance shots. Anderson County led at the half 22-15. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, those problems did not subside after the half. The rebounding issues continued and shot selection did not improve. Anderson County took advantage and pulled to a 10 point lead at the end of the third quarter, leading 34-24. Any hopes the Mustangs had of mounting a comeback, Anderson County squashed, shooting the ball well and rebounding well while taking care of the ball and pulling away from the Mustangs. “Rebounding and turnovers killed us tonight,” Johnson said. “You can’t do a lot if you can’t rebound and can’t take care of the ball” The Mustangs have to bounce back quickly. Monday IHS travels to Richmond to compete in the tournament at Central Heights High School. “We can’t settle, and we can’t take what we didn’t do well into the next game because we have quick turnarounds,” Johnson said. “I have a group of girls that wants to get better and care. We need to watch film, so the girls can understand what we need to improve on and practice fundamentals like rebounds and make that a point.” Iola (10-5-9-3—27) (FG/3pt): Houk 4-2-2-12 Plumlee 2-1-3-6 Miller 1-2-4-4 Curry 1-2-3-4 Shelby 0-1-1-1 Totals: 5/3-7-13-27 Anderson County (10-12-12-9—43) (FG/3pt): Foltz 9-1-0-19 Kurtz 1-2-3-4 Disbrow 6-0-5-13 Galey 3-1-3-7 Totals: 18/2-4-11-43
GARNETT — Iola High School’s girls basketball season didn’t begin the way the Mustangs wanted it to. IHS lost to Anderson County 45-27.
