Iola Middle School’s seventh-grade A team maintained its undefeated record and grabbed a tournament championship along the way Saturday.
The Ponies swept past both of their opponents, defeating Independence 32-14 and Parsons, 32-26, to win the IMS Stampede.
“It was just a fantastic day of basketball by these kids,” IMS coach Marty Taylor said. “We weren’t always playing good basketball but our effort, especially against Parsons, was as good as it’s been all year.”
The Ponies secured the championship over Parsons by closing the game with a 9-0 run. Up until then, Parsons led 6-4 after one quarter, 13-10 at halftime and 26-23 after three periods.
Matt Komma, Evan Sigg and Ethan Holloway were the main catalysts for the Ponies. Komma scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, while Sigg had 10 points and 14 boards. Holloway grabbed a team-high 15 rebounds to go with seven points. Isaac Vink scored one point.
Iola opened its first-round game with a 7-1 run over Independence, then extended its cushion to 18-6 at halftime and 30-13 after three quarters.
Komma had 15 points and six rebounds, while Holloway had eight points and 10 boards. Sigg scored six points and had five rebounds. Nick Vaughn scored three points.
“Matt, Ethan and Evan aren’t always pretty to watch but they are hard to handle inside,” Taylor said. “Isaac Vink did a great job of handling the basketball and getting it where it needed to go. Nick and Cale gave us so much energy coming in off the bench.”
THE seventh-grade B team lost its two contests, falling 24-18 to Royster Middle School of Chanute and 21-17 to Parsons in the third-place game.
Bryce Andres and Dalton Ryherd scored six points apiece to lead the Ponies in the game against Royster. William Winner and Alex Morrison scored two points each.
Andres scored seven points to lead IMS in the Parsons game. Ryherd followed with six points. Winner and Morrison scored two points each.
“These kids played hard and came close both games. Bryce did a very good job handling the ball and he made some nice shots,” Taylor said.
Iola’s eighth-grade squads take their turn on Saturday with the IMS Jamboree. Action tips off at 9 a.m.
Both the seventh- and eighth-grade squads resume regular season play Jan. 28 at Independence.
IMS Pony squad takes title
