COLUMBUS — Iola Middle School’s seventh-grade A-team started strong and finished that way Tuesday. The Pony eighth-grade A-team came up short at the end against host Columbus Middle School.
Iola’s seventh-grade A-team rolled out to a 16-2 run in the first quarter, led 24-6 at halftime and used a 12-3 surge in the fourth quarter. That netted the Ponies a 45-16 victory over the Titans.
Braden Plumlee ripped the cords for 19 points and had four rebounds. Garrett Wade tossed in nine points.
Chase Regehr scored five points and cleared five rebounds. Gage Cleaver added five points, followed by three from Zane Beasley and two each from Nate Evans and Colton Toney.
“We did a good job of taking care of business early and not letting them in the game,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head coach. “Everybody played a lot and played hard.”
Columbus posted a 13-9 first-quarter lead on Iola’s eighth-grade A-team. The Ponies rebounded to trail just by one, 20-19, by intermission.
The Ponies moved ahead of the Titans by outscoring them 11-5 in the third quarter. Columbus rallied with a 14-7 run in the fourth quarter to win 39-37.
“Some silly turnovers and missing some easy shots late hurt us tonight,” Taylor said. “We played hard again. We just have to step up and find a way to win instead of trying not to lose.”
In B-team action, Columbus won the eighth-grade contest 35-27. Sagar Patel led Iola with eight points, followed by Shane Armstrong with seven. Dodger Beckham added four.
Scoring two points each were Zach St. Clair, Yohon Sinclair, Jake Gumfory and Isiah Shaughnessy.
Iola took the seventh-grade B-team game 32-16. Xavier Cary led the way with seven points. Mason Ingle and Evans each had five points.
Cleaver scored four and Toney had three. Joey Zimmerman, Rhett Allen and Darius Greenawalt each had two points.
Iola travels to Coffeyville Thursday.
