Iola Middle School’s basketball season began Tuesday, with four Ponies teams going down to defeat to visiting Pittsburg. THE SEVENTH-GRADE A team trailed 8-0 at halftime and 12-3 in the third quarter before beginning the comeback. The Ponies held an 8-4 scoring advantage in the final quarter. IN B TEAM play, the Iola eighth-graders were led by Carlin with five points, Makayla Bycroft with four and Carly Cescon and Addy Prather with two apiece.
The seventh-grade A team nearly overcame a 12-3 deficit, coming up three points shy of tying the Purple Dragons in a 16-13 defeat.
“The girls were nervous, but once they settled, we did a job of getting back in the game,” IMS coach Marty Taylor said.
The eighth-grade A team fell 37-5.
“We just didn’t come to play tonight,” Taylor said. “But these girls work hard, and they will get better.”
In B team action, Pittsburg downed the eighth-grade, 21-13, and the seventh grade, 14-6.
Piper Moore led the way with eight points and three rebounds. Kendra Sprague added three points and five boards. Mia Aronson scored two points and Shaylee Sutterby pulled down five rebounds.
The eighth-grade A team trailed 11-1 after one quarter and 18-2 at halftime.
Colby Riley had two points and four rebounds. Karly McGuffin had eight rebounds. Madison Carlin scored two points and Chloe Wilson one.
Katie Weide, Kassy Shelby and Savannah Puckett each scored two points in the seventh-grade B game.
Iola returns to action Thursday at Fort Scott.
IMS Pony girls struggle in season opener
