Fillies struggle in tourney opener

LOUISBURG — Iola High’s Fillies ran into a buzz-saw called Burlington High’s Wildcats Monday.
The Wildcats’ aggressive style was too much for the Fillies to handle in the opening game of the 2011 Bulldog/Wildcat Classic hosted by Louisburg High School. Burlington rolled to a convincing 51-24 victory.
“They were more aggressive than we were,” said Becky Carlson, Fillies’ head coach. “We learned we have to come to play each night.
With the loss, Iola is 1-1 overall but 0-1 in tournament pool play. Tonight, the Fillies take on host Louisburg.
The tournament concludes Friday with the third-place teams in each pool facing each other at 4 p.m., the second-place pool teams  playing at 7:30 p.m. The top teams from each pool play for the championship at 5:45 p.m.
“When you lose three starters and five returning lettermen to graduation, games like this are expected,” Carlson said. “It’s just one game and we have a lot of basketball to be played yet for the season.”
The game started alright with Burlington’s Madison Stewart and Iola’s Kendra Taiclet trading baskets. Then it was all Burlington.
When Kelsey Larson drove to the basket and was fouled, the Fillies were already down 11-2. Larson hit one of two free throws and Lisa McFadden sank to free throws for Iola a minute later. That was it for Iola in the first quarter, down 17-5.
The Wildcats’ full-court press and constant ball pressure kept the Fillies in check throughout the game. Iola committed 26 turnovers.
Larson picked up her third foul with 5:19 left in the second quarter. The senior guard went back to the Fillies’ bench with a fourth foul at the 5:18 mark of the third quarter.
Burlington built a commanding 34-9 halftime lead.
“I thought our girls showed a lot of character in the second half. They never gave up,” Carlson said.
The Wildcats outscored the Fillies 16-8 in the third quarter. The teams played under a running-clock in the final eight minutes.
Iola shot 27 percent, 10 of 36, from the field and sank 4 of 7 free throw attempts.
Taiclet led the Fillies with nine points and eight rebounds. Larson added seven points plus had six rebounds and four assists.
McFadden tossed in six points. Lauren Toney had two steals.
“Lauren had a good game and kept her composure under the pressure Burlington brings,” Carlson said. “We have a team of players who are looking for their roles on the team.
“It’s a process of little steps at a time. Lisa and Kelsey Adams played better tonight. We learn and move forward.”
Burlington’s Stewart fired in 20 points, including hitting the game’s only two three-point field goals. Eight players scored for the Wildcats.
In the other pool Monday, Baldwin defeated Chanute 44-29. Baldwin plays Anderson County tonight and Chanute takes on Anderson County Thursday. Louisburg plays Burlington on Thursday night also.
Iola (5-4-8-7—24): Larson 3-1-4-7, Taiclet 4-1-2-9, Shay 0-0-1-0, Ware 0-0-1-0, McFadden 2-2-1-6, Adams 1-0-3-2. TOTALS: 10-4-12-24.
Burlington (17-17-16-1—51) (FG/3-pt): Gilman 0-0-1-0, Blume 3-1-2-7, Ladom 2-0-1-4, Trimble 2-1-1-5, Pearson 2-1-3-5, Stadel 0-1-1-1, Burns 1-0-3-2, O’Conner 3-1-0-7, Stewart 5/2-4-1-20. TOTALS: 18/2-9-13-51.