It’s not beyond the realm of possibility to consider that had things broken differently, Iola High’s Mustangs could be 5-1 headed into the post-Christmas portion of their 2012-13 schedule. BOTH TEAMS lost the bulk of their varsity experience after last season, so finding roles has been vital. FINDING a scoring threat has been the Fillies’ biggest charge on the season. In only one game has one of Carlson’s players scored in double figures (Jo Lohman in a loss to Fredonia). IOLA HIGH’S Mustang wrestling squad gets off to a busy start in 2013 with competitions Thursday and Saturday. A PAIR OF area boys squads have proven to be among the toughest in southeast Kansas on the basketball court. IN THE junior college ranks, Allen Community College ends a monthlong layoff Saturday at home against Highland Community College. THE RED DEVIL men, on the other hand, have been hampered by injuries, with their top three scorers missing time at various points of the season.
After all, two of their losses came in overtime or double-overtime, while Iola nearly overcame a 19-4 deficit in another hard-fought defeat.
As a result, the Mustangs sport a 2-4 record as they prepare to resume play this week.
The Fillies, meanwhile, have had a tough go of it on the basketball court.
The inexperienced squad began the season with one of the toughest schedules in the area, playing two ranked Class 4A squads (Burlington and Girard) and another (Chanute) that qualified for the state playoffs last spring.
But Iola’s girls have shown glimpses of improvement, usually keyed by the team’s defensive effort, that gives coach Becky Carlson optimism that bigger and better things await the 0-6 squad.
The Iola teams resume play Friday at home against Osawatomie. The girls contest tips off at 6 p.m.
Despite returning only one starter, senior guard Levi Ashmore, the Mustangs have seen a number of players step up nicely into starting roles.
The interior tandem of senior Mason Coons and junior Tyler Powelson lead Iola in scoring with 11.5 and 11.3 points, respectively. Either of the two has claimed high-scoring honors in five of Iola’s six games.
Ashmore and Trent Latta, a junior, have led the charge from the perimeter. Ashmore increased his scoring output in each of the last four games before Christmas break, including a team-high 15 in an overtime loss to Chanute. At 9.3 points per game, he barely registers above Latta’s 8.7 points.
Adam Kauth, the fifth starter, has shown an ability to score inside and outside. He averages 6.2 points.
Tyler McIntosh and Kaden Macha both have provided a spark off the bench at various times.
Lohman and Kyra Moore have emerged as Iola’s leading scorers, with both doing so from the bench. Lohman averages 3.5 points per game; Moore 2.7. Libby Shay, Emma Piazza and Addie Haar also have stepped up at various points.
The wrestlers travel to Fort Scott at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to take on the host Tigers. Pittsburg also will be at the triangular meet.
On Saturday, the Mustangs head to Burlington for a tournament, while junior varsity wrestlers are scheduled to appear in a tournament in Burlington.
Senior Stephen McDonald leads the way for Iola at 220 pounds, going undefeated so far on the season at 14-0, including tournament championships at Anderson County and Caney Valley. He also won three matches Dec. 13 in Erie, and another by forfeit in Eureka.
Junior Cody Conner has lost only twice on the season, against 11 wins. The 145-pound Conner swept to the tournament crown in Anderson County. He took second at the Caney Valley meet.
Junior Bryce Misenhelter has rolled to an 11-2 mark on the season at 182 points. Misenhelter took fourth place at the Caney tournament and third at Anderson County.
Senior Zeph Larney is 6-5 on the season. He took second at the Anderson County meet and fifth at Caney Valley.
Humboldt High’s Cubs have rolled to a 7-0 record on the season, led by senior standouts Noah Thornbrugh and Tanner McNutt. Thornbrugh leads Humboldt with a shade under 20 points a game. McNutt scores at a rate of 17 points per game.
Crest, meanwhile, enters January with a 4-1 mark — their only loss was a hard-fought 43-40 loss to Humboldt.
Crest’s boys and girls travel to Marmaton Valley to resume play on Friday.
Humboldt hosts Fredonia Tuesday.
Yates Center’s and Southern Coffey County’s squads also hit the courts again Friday. The Wildcats travel to Caney Valley; Southern Coffey County hosts Waverly.
The Red Devil women have raised eyebrows throughout the Jayhawk Conference with their 7-5 mark to begin the season.
Tulsa sophomore DaNara Day continues to lead the Red Devil women with 14.8 points per game, followed by Brittney Redmond and Ebonie Jones at 8.5 and 7.8 points, respectively.
Hannah Blackwell’s 7.6 rebounds per game lead ACC, which won four of its last five games before the break.
The Red Devil men enter conference play with a 4-8 mark.
Andrew Rountree and Cameron Blue lead the charge with each scoring at a clip of 14 points per game. Both have missed a game due to injuries.
Guard Bryce Schippers also fought through an ankle injury in December to score 11.4 points per game. DeAndree Barnette is the remaining ACC player in double figures at 10.1 points per contest.
Getting off to a quick start in conference play may be a tall order.
Highland’s women are undefeated on the year at 13-0, including 3-0 in conference play. The men are 8-4 overall and 2-1 in conference.
The Red Devil teams host Independence Jan. 9 before playing four of their next five games on the road.
Area prep, juco athletes resume play
