Iola Middle School’s basketball teams went unbeaten in three games Thursday against visiting Coffeyville. THE SEVENTH-GRADE squad led 16-3 after one quarter and 34-5 at halftime. Coffeyville closed the gap to 38-20 by the end of the third period before the Ponies closed the game with a 10-0 run.
The eighth-grade A team jumped out to an early lead, then maintained its lead in the fourth quarter of a 52-42 win.
The seventh-grade A team, meanwhile, bounced back from its first loss of the season in resounding fashion, thumping Coffeyville 48-20.
The combined B team made it a clean sweep with a 34-22 win.
The Ponies’ efforts drew high praise from coach Marty Taylor.
The eighth-graders led 16-9 after one quarter and 29-16 at halftime. Coffeyville closed the gap to 39-31 after three quarters, but could not pull within shouting distance down the stretch.
“Just a very good effort against a very athletic team,” Taylor said.
Ben Cooper and Chase Regehr led the way with 15 points apiece. Regehr also had 14 rebounds, while Cooper had three boards. Joey Zimmerman followed with 10, followed by Braden Plumlee with eight points and nine rebounds, Ethan Scheibmeir with two points and four rebounds and Garrett Wade with two points and seven boards.
“Ben Cooper has been the leader of this team all year, and was fantastic tonight,” Taylor said. “Joey hit a couple of big shots for us, and Ethan Scheibmeir made a couple of hustle plays that really made a difference.”
The victory lifts the squad’s record to 7-4.
“The first half was by far the best basketball these kids have played,” Taylor said. “We ran the floor, made good passes and defended the basket.”
Matt Komma led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Ethan Holloway’s 13 points and 13 rebounds. Evan Sigg pulled down 12 rebounds to go with six points. Dalton Ryherd scored four points, Isaac Vink scored three with five assists and Nick Vaughn scored two.
“Isaac did a great job tonight of taking care of the ball and getting where it needed to go. Matt and Ethan were very good inside. When Coffeyville would try to take one away, the other stepped up and made them pay. Dalton Ryherd gave us some great minutes off the bench.”
The records lifts the seventh-graders’ record to 10-2 on the season.
Rhett Allen scored 14 of the B team’s 34 points. Gage Cleaver scored nine, Colton Toney seven and Darius Greenawalt and Ryherd had two apiece.
Iola wraps up its basketball season Monday at home against Pittsburg.
IMS Pony squads sweep past Coffeyville
