RICHMOND — Iola High School’s girl’s basketball team struggled against Heritage Christian School of Topeka Monday night, losing 38-21.
Despite keeping the game close the first half, the Mustangs failed to keep their momentum in the opening game of the Ike Cearfoss tournament at Central Heights in Richmond.
A sluggish first quarter start was quickly dealt with when Jenna Curry helped rally the Mustangs to come within one point at the end of the first quarter. The score was 9-8 after the quarter.
IHS had its fair share of chances in the paint in the second quarter but couldn’t capitalize on them. Thanks to poor rebounding, the Mustangs gifted Heritage Christian extra shots. One 45-second stretch saw Heritage Christian miss three times and get the rebound each time. Luckily for IHS, Heritage Christian couldn’t make that shot before the Mustangs got the ball back.
Even though they didn’t shoot the ball well themselves, Heritage Christian held IHS scoreless in the second quarter. IHS trailed 12-8 at the half.
IHS’ scoreless streak continued deep into the third quarter, due in part to rebounding issues, and an inability to find good shots.
Curry broke the scoreless streak midway through the quarter when she hit a jumper in the paint.
That play was followed by Maci Miller making a fantastic steal. IHS looked more physical coming out of halftime but turnovers reared their ugly head and squashed any chance the Mustangs had of trying to take a lead. IHS went cold again shortly after the Sell jumper and the quarter ended with Aysha Houk attempting a half-court shot that almost went in. The shot appeared to go in and then bounced out.
Houk broke an almost 10-minute long drought when she hit a mid-range jumper with 5:45 left in the game. IHS used that as fuel to go on its best run of the day and close the Heritage Christian lead to eight points with a little over four minutes left.
From there, it all seemed to unravel for IHS. Heritage Christian was able to get to the free-throw line and nail the shots to regain an 11-point lead with three minutes left. Sell was sent to the free-throw line with just under two minutes left and drained both of her shots.
But, it seemed like every time IHS made a run, Heritage Christian answered. The Sell free-throws were answered by a 15-second flurry of offense by Heritage Christian, scoring four points in that span. The flurry put the game away and seemed to crush IHS. Sell’s free throws ended up being IHS’ last points of the night.
