Cal Leonard gazed at the Iola High student section after his 3-pointer opened the scoring for the Iola Mustangs 2019-20 home opener. Leonard would finish with 22 points in the Mustangs 55-33 victory over the Panthers.
The hot shooting from Iolas sharpshooter was not the biggest highlight of Iolas blowout victory. In fact, head coach Luke Byrcoft believes the Mustangs are on the pathway to finding their identity.
If we defend and rebound, we can run the floor, Bycroft said. That is who we are, and what we are going to have to have to do.
It is no secret that Iolas home crowd played a massive role in the Mustangs quick start. Leonard followed his opening 3-pointer with a dazzling up-and-under finish to wow the Iola faithful. Leonard grew the Iola lead to eight with another trey.
A full-court dime over two defenders from Leonard found the hands of Landon Carson who finished calmly at the rim, giving Iola a 16-6 lead heading into the second. Calvin Delich set the tone on defense for the Mustangs, earning two consecutive steals that led to two more Iola baskets.
Although the flair disappeared in the second quarter, Iola still managed to control the scoreboard 28-16 heading into the break. Bycroft highlighted that his teams movement off the ball is what fueled Iolas offense throughout.
In the second half, Colgan began to chip away at Iolas double-digit lead. The Panthers narrowed the deficit to eight to make things interesting heading into the fourth, but the Mustangs responded in style.
Carson opened the fourth with back-to-back treys, and Leonard weaved through the paint to finish calmly at the rim to put Iola ahead by double digits once more. After a 3-point play from Bradyn Cole, Leonard iced the game with two corner 3s on consecutive possessions to cap off a 19-3 fourth quarter run. The Mustangs stifling defense held the Panthers to five points in the final period en route to a 55-33 victory.
This wasnt as good a Colgan team as we have seen in the past. They are usually a stronger team. Bycroft said. I told the guys at halftime that a 12-point lead isnt enough, and that we need to win this game by 20 because we are that much better than this team. When it got ugly for a little bit in the third, we responded and that us what Im proud of.
The win gives momentum heading into Fridays Pioneer League matchup against Osawatomie at home. The Trojans are coming off a one-point 31-30 victory over Santa Fe Trail on Tuesday night.
BOX SCORE
Iola (16-12-8-19 55) (pts): Bycroft 6, Leonard 22, Barker 4, Cole 7, Carson 10, Delich 4, Boeken 2.
St. Marys Colgan (6-10-12-5 33) (pts): Lomshek 15, Goetting 6, Fleming 2, Dawson 3, OBrien 2, Russell 3, Brown 2.
