BURLINGTON — “We have to finish a game like we start it,” said Becky Carlson, Iola High Fillies’ head coach, after the Fillies dropped a 50-40 decision Tuesday afternoon in the first round of the 19th annual Burlington High Invitational.
Carlson saw her Fillies bolt to another quick start, leading 7-0 after three minutes. They were deadlocked in a 26-26 battle with Santa Fe Trail High’s Chargers at halftime.
The Chargers had the stronger finish. They outscored the Fillies 24-14 in the second half for a 50-40 win.
“We play hard. The girls are better than they were as a team a week ago. We started strong today, but we’re not scoring points,” Carlson said.
Carlson said the Fillies need someone to step up to help with the scoring. Seniors Kelsey Larson and Kendra Taiclet combined for 32 of Iola’s 40 points Tuesday.
The loss dropped Iola to 3-7 on the season. It also sends the Fillies to the consolation side of the 2012 tournament bracket.
Iola plays Paola, which lost 60-37 to Sabetha Tuesday, at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the Burlington Middle School gym.
Also on Tuesday on the other side of the bracket, Burlington downed Rossville 50-29 and Topeka-Hayden beat Labette County 50-40.
Following the Fillies to the consolation side, the fifth-place game is slated for 3:10 p.m. Saturday at the middle school. The seventh-place game is at noon in the same gym.
Larson nailed a three-pointer then had a drive to the basket for two points for Iola. Kelsey Adams scored to make it 7-0.
Santa Fe Trail hit two threes to made in 9-6 with 2:59 left in the first quarter. Larson and Taiclet drained back-to-back threes and Iola moved to a 17-11 advantage by the end of the period.
At the 4:56 mark of the second stanza, Lisa McFadden scored and was fouled. She missed the free throw but Iola’s lead was 21-15.
The Chargers used full-court pressure and traps to create some havoc for Iola. Dani Jo Kuney, a 5-10 sophomore, got baskets on the inside for Santa Fe Trail as the Chargers closed to within one, 22-21.
Amber Moore gave the Chargers their first lead of the game, 23-22, with a bucket with 3:02 on the clock. Larson tied it by hitting one of two free throws.
Each team added three points in the final minute leaving it knotted at 26-all at intermission.
