CARBONDALE — Thursday’s display against Santa Fe Trail was a mirror reflection of how the 2019-20 season had turned out for the Iola Mustangs. Disappointing.
Iola head coach Luke Bycroft had Pioneer League title aspirations to start the year, and deservedly so. The Mustangs have been featured in the top 10 in class 4A sparingly throughout the year, but haven’t been able to connect the dots when needed. Thursday was another example as the Chargers rolled by Iola 63-46.
The Mustangs finish the regular season 11-9, and 5-7 in the Pioneer League play.
“It is very disappointing that it ended this way,” Bycroft said.
Iola scored on its first possession with a ball placed near the rim for senior Calvin Delich to guide through the net. Delich added another basket with 40 seconds remaining in the first to put Iola ahead 8-6. That would be Iola’s final lead for the night.
Santa Fe Trail opened the second with an 8-2 run before an and-one finish from Cal Leonard. Leonard’s 3-point play brought the Mustangs within six at the five-minute mark, but Iola couldn’t climb any closer in the second. Bycroft highlighted that Iola’s lack of movement offensively is what translated to the 28-18 deficit at the half.
“They were sagging off, and trying to dare us to shoot jump shots,” Bycroft said. “And when teams are going to do that, you need to be more diligent about your movement. We have to move, set up our screens better, and do a better job adjusting.”
Five straight Mustang points trimmed the Charger lead to five, but Santa Fe Trail answered with five of their own in the early goings of the third quarter. Iola came within seven on three different occasions in the quarter, but couldn’t cut any deeper into the Charger lead. The Mustangs trailed 44-34 heading into the final period.
A steal from junior Landon Carson started the fourth quarter, but his fast-break layup rolled out. The Mustangs managed only one point well into the fourth quarter. Santa Fe Trail outpaced the Mustangs 19-12 in the fourth to capture the senior night victory.
The Mustangs will host a playoff matchup next Wednesday with the opponent yet to be officially announced.
Box Score
Iola (8-10-16-12—46) (pts): Bycroft 5, Adams 2, Leonard 18, Cole 5, Carson 7, Delich 5, Boeken 4.
Santa Fe Trail (8-20-16-19—63) (pts): Duncan 6, Decker 15, Berkefeldt 18, Spoonmore 16, Baker 6.
