Area sports resume seasons

A three-week layoff for area high school athletes will promptly give way to a flurry of activity next week as winter sports resume.
Iola High’s basketball teams — last seen pulling out tough road victories at Fredonia Dec. 17 — each will get a shot at redemption against old rivals when they travel down U.S. 169 to Chanute.
Both the Mustangs and Fillies lost hard-fought games against their Chanute counterparts in preseason tournament action in Baldwin City Dec. 10.
The Mustangs (3-2) have won two in a row, while the Fillies (2-3) snapped a three-game skid with their win over the Yellowjackets.
The teams have taken different tracks so far in terms of offensive production.
The Mustangs have followed the lead of senior guard Trent Latta’s 14 points per game, while receiving key contributions inside by Tyler Powelson (8 points and 6 rebounds per contest) and Kaden Macha (6.8 points, 4.0 rebounds). Senior Fryendz Wallace has responded nicely after being inserted into the starting lineup, and reserves Adam Kauth and Jesse Zimmerman also have served up big plays as the season has progressed.

THE FILLIES have taken a teamwork approach this season, with four different players — Emery Driskel, Mikaela Platt, Addie Haar and Sydney Wade — leading the team in scoring.
Wade’s 16-point outburst against Fredonia pushed her scoring average to a team-high 6.2 points per game. She’s followed closely behind by Driskel (5.8 points), Platt (5.6) and Haar (5.2).
Meanwhile, Emma Piazza has drawn rave reviews from head coach Becky Carlson for her defense. Kyra Moore’s only 3-pointer of the season proved pivotal in Iola’s season-opening win over Girard.
Following their games against the Blue Comets, Iola’s teams travel to Osawatomie on Friday.

OTHER SCHOOLS tipping off Tuesday: Humboldt hosts Marmaton Valley, Crest hosts Northeast-Arma, Southern Coffey County heads to Marais des Cygnes Valley and Yates Center hosts Flinthills.

IOLA’S WRESTLING squad also returns to action Tuesday with dual competition at Parsons.
The Mustangs have had several wrestlers get off to a flying start, particularly the squad’s senior class.
Seniors Bryce Misenhelter (182 pounds), Cody Conner (152 pounds) and John Whitworth (170 pounds) all have compiled 12-1 records through their first three competitions of the season. Misenhelter is the team’s sole returning state qualifier from last season, although head coach Brad Carson is optimistic Conner and Whitworth have solid chances to join Misenhelter at the 4A state championships in Salina in February.
Senior Mike Armstrong (4-1) also has looked impressive in his brief time on the mat. A wrist injury has slowed Armstrong in the 138-pound bracket.
Others, such as Travis Rieske, have offered up several impressive showings. Rieske is 9-3 on the year, having wrestled at 160, 152 and 145 pounds already. He should stay at 145 pounds the rest of the season, Carson said.
Like Misenhelter, Tavon Blazek (8-4) wrestles at 182 pounds, while Andrew Garber has held his own at 195 pounds against some of the strongest opponents around. Youngsters Seth Sanford (220 pounds) and Colton Toney (285) also have dealt with tough competition and will be counted on to show continued signs of improvement.

ALLEN Community College’s basketball teams will return after an extended layoff on Wednesday. The Red Devil women, under first-year head coach Katie Mahoney, will host Cottey College at 6 p.m. The 7-7 ACC squad is led by Nicole Salazar (12.9 points and nearly 4 assists per game), O’ceonna Weston (12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds) and Kylie Molisee (8.0 points and 8.7 rebounds).
The Red Devil men (10-5) will travel to Hutchinson Wednesday evening. Allen is paced by a balanced scoring attack, with four players scoring between 11 and 14 points per game.
Raheem Tyner (14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds) leads the way. He’s followed closely behind by Courtney Stockard (11.5 points), Alex Miller (11.4) and Tyrone Jones (11.1). Four others, Ben Uno, Josh Sweet, Tray Fountain and Cody Sluder average more than 6.8 points per contest.
Allen’s teams will host Kansas City, Kan., on Saturday.