Basketball at the break

At the holiday break, some teams are winless, some are on winning streaks, and some are struggling. After the break, the high school basketball season really goes into full gear.

December 23, 2021 - 8:47 AM

Iola's Aysha Houk brings the ball out. Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

The area high school basketball season is still in its early days. The holiday break often gives coaches a chance to reflect on what their team has done this year.

Iola boys are 1-5 at the break. The Mustangs picked up a 52-47 win over West Franklin High School. Senior Tyler Boeken has been the key for Iola so far, averaging a double-double. Iola girls are also 1-5. Junior Aysha Houk has scored in double digits twice this season. Houk also leads the team in points per game with six. The Mustangs will host St.Mary’s-Colgan when the season resumes on Jan. 4.

Crest’s Ross Snovelle and Kayla Hermreck play defense against SCC. Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

Crest’s Ethan Prasko and SCC’s Mitchyl Walters battle for the ball. Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

Iola’s Mac Leonard dribbles in a game at Central Heights. Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

Iola’s Josei Plumlee plays defense against Central Heights. Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

Crest’s Lindsey Godderz drives the ball down the court. Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

Humboldt’s Brooklyn Ellis prepares to shoot the ball Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

Iola’s Eli Adams about to take flight during a game Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register

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Humboldt boys started the season on a 3-0 run before dropping a game to Erie High School. Trey Sommer leads the team with 16.6 points per game. Humboldt’s offense is averaging 51 points per game. The Cub defense has also been solid.

For the Humboldt girls, it’s been an up-and-down start to the season. They are 2-3 after opening the season 2-0. The Cubs are scoring 37 points per game.

Neither Humboldt team has yet to play a road game. That all changes after break when the Cubs play Fredonia High School on Jan 11.

Marmaton Valley High boys have played hard all year and are 0-3 despite some great play by the Wildcats. Sophomore Jaedon Granere has been a key for the Wildcats. For the girls, the Wildcats are 2-1, the only loss coming to Madison High School. The Wildcats are scoring a little over 30 points per game led by Janae Granere. After the holiday break, Marmaton Valley travels to Uniontown High School on Jan 4.

Crest boys are 2-2 at the break. Defense has been an issue. In the Lancers’ two losses, opponents have scored 50 or more points.

Crest girls are 0-4 and have lost each game by at least 16 points. The Lancers are scoring around 27 points per game. If Crest wants to make a run, the defense will need to step up.

Crest travels to Mound City to play Jayhawk-Linn High School on Jan. 4.

Yates Center boys are 2-2. The Wildcats are averaging around 36 points per game. The girls have struggled a bit and are 0-5. The Wildcats are allowing 44 points per game. Yates Center hosts Oswego High School on Jan 4.

Southern Coffey County boys have played the most games of any area team, eight. The Titans are 4-4 and on a two-game skid. The defense will need to step up if SCC is going to make a run in the second half. For the girls, the Titans are 4-2. After starting 4-0, SCC lost their last two games prior to the break. The Titan offense is scoring 46 points per game. The Titans play Madison on Jan. 4.

Come the new year, some interesting battles lie ahead.

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