Iola Middle School’s boys opened basketball season at home Thursday against Chanute’s Royster Middle School Rockets.
The Rockets decked the Pony eighth-grade A-team 33-19. They were up 20-6 at halftime.
“There were more positives than negatives that came out of this game. We are going to have to rebound better if we plan on beating the better teams in the Southeast Kansas League,” said Marty Taylor, IMS basketball coach.
“Defensively, we were very good most of the night but for a three-minute stretch in the second quarter.”
Kaden Macha fired in 10 points and had four rebounds. Alex Bauer had three points and three rebounds. Isaiah Grover and Shane Walden each had three points. Drew Faulhaber grabbed four rebounds.
Royster won the eighth-grade B-team game 21-17. Iola was led by Matt Jacobs with seven points followed by Tyler Holloway with four, Kalob Mock with three, Adam Peterson with two and Travis Hermstein with one.
Iola’s seventh-grade A-team trailed 17-7 at halftime, then was outscored 9-0 in the third quarter. Royster won 33-15.
“For the first time out it wasn’t horrible. We played good defense, rebounded well. We just couldn’t hit a shot,” Taylor said.
Brice Aiello scored four points and had six rebounds and Colby Works scored four points. Gus Hopkins had three points.
Brett Taylor and Keanan Badders each had six rebounds. Badders and Isiah Shaughnessy each scored two points.
Iola won the seventh-grade B-team game 15-14. Hopkins and Shane Armstrong each had four points. Mason Key added three while Toby Norton and Dodger Beckham each had two.
Saturday the IMS B-teams take on Humboldt at 9 a.m. for seventh grade and 10 a.m. for eighth grade at the IMS gym. Monday Iola hosts Independence.
IMS boys’ basketball teams play
