MELVERN — The Iola Fillies are finally back to full-strength and the timing couldn’t be any better.
With point guard Sydney Wade back on the floor, the Fillies were able to pick up a road win over Santa Fe Trail in their last game before they begin their playoff slate next week.
“There was a lot at stake,” Iola coach Becky Carlson said. “Whoever won this game would be (the two-seed) at substate. So it was a big win.”
Iola won 57-52 with Wade playing in a reserve role as Carlson eased her back into the rotation.
“It actually didn’t feel that bad,” Wade said of her injured ankle. “I was kind nervous at first that it wouldn’t do what I wanted it to do, but once I got out there it was good. I’d say it’s about 80-85 percent, but I’m going to be 100 by substate.”
Carlson started the same group that has been the usual first-line, for the most part since the Wade’s high-ankle sprain a few weeks ago — Colbi Riley, Ashlie Shields, Mikaela Platt, Riley Murry and Toni Macha.
“The team really stepped up while I was gone and I’d say it actually made us better,” Wade said.
Although she did not start, Wade provided a spark off the bench and played a majority of the second and fourth quarters and also saw time in the first and third periods.
“It gives everybody a rest,” Carlson said. “Before, I couldn’t give anybody a rest, because Colbi was really my only point guard. It helps a lot. It makes our bench that much deeper.”
Iola carried a two-point advantage after the first quarter with Shields leading the way with five of her total nine points in the opening frame.
In the second period, the Fillies were able to push their advantage to seven points as Carlson was able to unveil her new-and-improved two point guard lineup. Riley and Wade shared the primary ball-handling responsibilities and were able to push the pace against the Chargers.
“I like to play off guard sometimes,” Wade said. “So it is good that we have two point guards that can handle the ball.”
Late in the half their attacking paid huge dividends. Platt hit a pair of threes to stretch the lead and as they held the ball for the last shot, Riley was able to probe and find a crease in the Charger defense on the right side of the basket.
She drove hard and drew a foul. The sophomore knocked in both foul shots to give her team a 27-20 lead heading into the locker room.
The third quarter featured Wade’s first basket from the field since her return. It was a three to push the Fillies’ lead back to seven.
