Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade A-team played its best game of the season but came up short at home Monday.
The visiting Independence Middle School Bulldogs owned the second half to squeeze past the Ponies 36-32.
Iola led 22-16 at halftime after a 9-9 first quarter. Independence outscored Iola 12-5 in the third period and finished with an 8-5 scoring edge in the fourth quarter.
“By far our best effort. These kids came out and flat got after it,” said Marty Taylor, Iola Middle School head coach. “This is how we have to play for this group to be successful on the court.”
Keanan Badder led Iola with 11 points and five rebounds. Brice Aiello pulled down 11 rebounds and scored eight points. Brett Taylor had seven points and five rebounds.
Sagar Patel, Colby Works and Gus Hopkins each added two points.
“Keanan’s effort was outstanding. He, Brice and Brett had very good games,” Taylor said.
Independence edged Iola in the eighth-grade B-team game 23-22. Jake Gumfory fired in 11 points. Zach St. Clair chipped in with four points while Patel and Ankit Gandhi each had three points. Dodger Beckham had one point.
Iola’s seventh-grade A-team never was in its game. Independence was up 17-2 by the end of the first quarter on its way to a 41-18 victory.
“These boys should know we have to be ready to play every night because when we aren’t this is what happens,” Taylor said. “Colton Toney came off the bench and played hard for us.”
Ben Cooper scored eight for Iola and Garrett Wade had four points. Joey Zimmerman scored three points. Toney had two and Chase Regehr had one point.
The seventh-grade B-team game went to Independence as well, 31-20.
Nate Evans had seven points for Iola and Toney scored six. Wade had four points. Zane Beasley put in two points and Mason Ingle had one point.
Monday was the final home games for the season for the seventh-grade teams.
Iola hosts an eighth-grade Winter Classic Saturday.
