COLUMBUS — Another close one got away from Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade girls Thursday.
The Pony A-team lost 32-30 to host Columbus Middle School. The Iola eighth-graders rallied for a 20-15 halftime lead.
Columbus wiped out Iola’s advantage with a 10-4 scoring run in the third quarter. Iola trailed 25-24 heading into the final period. Columbus outscored Iola 7-6 in that final span.
“Again, a very good effort by these kids but the mistakes we make are silly mistakes and it cost us a ballgame,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head coach.
Ashlie Shields fired in nine points while Mikaela Platt and Elise Wolf each had six points. Olivia Bannister added five and Hannah Ingle tossed in four points.
“Elise came off the bench and really gave us a boost. Ashlie did an outstanding job on defense and turned some steals into points,” Taylor said.
Iola’s seventh-grade A team lost 30-35. Columbus led 16-9 at halftime.
Sydney Wade led the Ponies with nine points and Toni Macha contributed eight points. Alexis Heslop scored five followed by Riley Murry with two and Brecken Sutherland with one.
“We were a little too tentative in this game but the kids played hard,” Taylor said. “I thought Brecken came off the bench and gave us some good minutes.”
In a combined eighth-seventh grade C-team game, Iola won 23-8. Micaiah Larney scored 14 points for Iola. Della Lohman added seven and Jadyn Sigg had two points.
“Micaiah was really playing hard. She did a great job of running the offense,” Taylor said.
Iola’s teams go to Coffeyville Monday.
IMS girls lose 2 close ones at Columbus
