Iola Middle School’s seventh-graders picked up a pair of victories Monday against visiting Independence, while the eighth-graders went 0-2 on the night.
The seventh-grade A team downed Independence 22-10, while the B team prevailed 23-9.
The A team squad was led by Ethan Holloway’s 11 points and five rebounds, followed by Evan Sigg’s six points and 10 boards. Matt Komma had two points and 13 rebounds. Nick Vaughn added two points and Dalton Ryherd scored one.
Iola led 6-0 after one quarter and 12-5 at halftime. The lead stood at 19-10 after three quarters.
“This group hasn’t lost a game and I still don’t think we are playing our best,” Pony coach Marty Taylor said. “The big kids did a good job of keeping Indy off the boards. Ethan played much better tonight.”
The eighth-grade A team fell behind 20-7 before a furious rally closed the Ponies to within four points, 35-31, after three quarters. Independence closed the game with a 15-3 run to win 50-34.
“After the first quarter, we played the best basketball that we’ve played,” Taylor said. “But we have to come ready to play against good teams like Independence.”
Braden Plumlee led the Ponies with 16 points and seven rebounds. Ben Cooper added eight points and six assists. Chase Regehr had eight points and nine rebounds. Ethan Scheibmeir added three points.
In B team action, Iola’s seventh-graders were led by Caden Knavel and Dalton Ryherd with six points each, Alex Morrison with five and Bryce Andres, William Winner and Cale Barnhart with two apiece.
The eighth-grade B team fell 27-24. Mason Ingle scored 14 points, followed by Joey Zimmerman with seven and Zane Beasley with three.
“Mason really stepped it up and played well tonight,” Taylor said.
The IMS squads travel to Chanute Thursday to take on Royster Middle School.
IMS squads go 2-2
