RICHMOND — Iola High’s girls were downright stingy on defense, forcing turnovers, hampering shots and otherwise keeping host Central Heights out of sorts for most of the night Thursday.
Problem was, the Fillies’ offense couldn’t find its groove, either.
A season-long bugaboo — turnovers and missed shots — reared its ugly head again as Iola mustered only 10 points through the first three quarters.
Things began to click down the stretch, as the Fillies found their groove, but it was too little, too late as Central Heights emerged with a 27-20 victory.
The loss sets up a frenetic final week of the regular season for the Fillies, who had been idle since Feb. 9 because of the weather.
Thursday’s contest is followed by five games in eight days for Iola, who will be in Garnett today to take on Anderson County.
“I told the girls in the locker room we’re guaranteed five more games,” head coach Kelsey Johnson said. “We’re going to try to win them all.”
If so, the Fillies will need more output like their fourth-quarter outburst against Central Heights.
Trailing 22-10, Josie Plumlee kick-started the Fillies offense when she stole the ball and drove the length of the court for a layup. She followed that up two possessions later with a baseline shot.
Lauryn Holloway’s putback a minute later cut the deficit to 22-16.
The Vikings followed with a free throw before Iola’s Hannah Gardner drove the lane for a bucket, and suddenly the gap was 23-18 with 2:50 left.
The fun stopped there.
Iola misfired on six straight possessions, while the Vikings began hitting free throws to seal the win.
Plumlee’s last bucket of the night came at the buzzer, good enough only to cut the margin to 27-20.
Still, Johnson praised Plumlee and Sage Barney for their intensity off the bench.
“That’s their role, and they did a good job of it tonight,” Johnson said. “They gave us a spark.”
But in order to succeed, the Fillies must hit shots and limit turnovers.
