Fillies control pace to win

Iola High’s Fillies came back from their break with a 41-33 win over Anderson County, able to control the lead for much of the game.
“I thought we looked good,” coach Becky Carlson said. “I felt we were sharp and played good defense. We missed some easy shots at the end, but we were able to put the game away.”
Iola opened up the game with an Emery Driskel jumper. Anderson County took its only lead for the night on consecutive drives down the lane to take a 4-2 advantage with 6:05 left in the first quarter.
Later, Emma Piazza gave the Fillies some breathing room with a 3-pointer, giving Iola the 9-6 lead. Anderson’s Paige Scheckel answered with a putback basket. Scheckel gave the Fillies fits all night, scoring 17 points to lead all scorers. With 2:05 left in the first, Sydney Wade scored the last basket of the quarter on a jumpshot giving Iola the 11-8 lead.
Iola took hold of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 9-5. Wade continued with the hot hand, scoring two free throws and then a 3-pointer handing the Fillies a comfortable 16-8 lead to open the quarter.
Scheckel kept Anderson County on life support by hitting a 3-pointer to keep the Lady Bulldogs within striking distance down 16-11 with 4:58 left.
There wasn’t much scoring left in the final minutes of the half, but Iola was able to do the most damage. With 1:01 left in the half, Iola’s Lexie Long hit a 3-pointer giving the Fillies a 20-13 lead going into the half.
Anderson County came out with a strong third quarter showing — they outscored Iola 12-8. With the score 24-21 in favor of Iola, Long hit another 3-pointer with 3:05 left in the third. The Lady Bulldogs answered with a four-point run, before Addie Haar ended it with a free throw. Iola held on to a 28-25 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Fillies and Lady Bulldogs went back and forth to begin the quarter. Scheckel drove the floor for a lay-in with 3:15 left pulling the Bulldogs to within three at 34-31.
Iola didn’t score on its next possession, but did create excellent ball movement to eat up one minute of the clock. So, it wasn’t a wasted possession. Unfortunately, Anderson’s Emily Fritz scored a jumpshot on the Lady Bulldogs’ next possession to pull within one point at 34-33 with 1:33 left.
“We had some great looks, but we were able to win by stepping up to the free throw line,” Carlson said. “I was proud of how we were able to play.”
Driskel made a free throw and Wade iced the game, making 6-6 free throws down the stretch. In previous games this season, Iola hadn’t been so strong shooting in the final minutes.
The Fillies (4-3) tip off at Osawatomie on Friday at 6 o’clock.

BEFORE THE VARSITY girls could take the court, the junior varsity Fillies fell to Anderson County 38-36 in double overtime.
After trailing for much of the game, Iola’s Olivia Bannister gave the Fillies a 26-24 lead after hitting two free throws with about a minute left in the fourth quarter. But, Anderson County’s Gabby Spring was able to make two free throws before the end of regulation to tie the game.
In overtime, it appeared the Fillies would win the game. With 1:00 left, Riley Murry made a putback basket to give the Fillies a 33-28 lead. However, Anderson County responded with a seven point run to take the 35-33 lead.
On the ensuing inbounds, Olivia Bannister received the ball and was fouled with three seconds left. She hit both free throws and the Iola defense didn’t even allow the Lady Bulldogs to shoot.
In double overtime, Anderson County took a three point lead and only gave up one free throw made by Colbi Riley.
The Fillies were led by Riley’s nine points, Murray followed with eight points. Bannister scored six points as well as Della Lohman. McKayli Cleaver, Jayden Sigg and Toni Macha each scored two points. Ashlie Shields made a free throw.

THE FRESHMEN Fillies lost to Anderson County 29-26. Colbi Riley led the team with 15 points. Chloe Gardner followed with four points, while Karly McGuffin scored three. Katie Bauer and Micayla Bycroft each scored two points.

Iola (11-9-8-13—41) (3PT/FG-FT-F-TP): Wade 1/2-8-1-15, Long 2/0-0-1-6, Piazza 1/2-1-2-8, Lohman 0-0-1-0, Haar 1-1-1-3, Driskel 1-1-1-3, Macha 0-0-1-0
Anderson County (8-5-12-8—33) (3PT/FG-FT-F-TP): Rockers 1-0-3-2, Ratliff 1-0-2-2, McCullough 1-0-3-2, Fritz 1-2-1-4, Scheckel 2/5-1-4-17, Lickteig 3-0-3-6