Iola Middle School’s boys kicked off their 2013 basketball season in fine fashion Thursday. EVAN SIGG AND Matt Komma led the seventh-grade A team, with each recording a double-double. THE EIGHTH-GRADE B team won 29-8. Allen and Zimmerman scored eight points each, followed by Beasley with five and Cleaver and Mason Ingle with four apiece.
The eighth-grade A team steamrolled its way to an early 38-10 lead over visiting Royster Middle School in a 43-22 win.
The seventh-grade A team, meanwhile, led 24-15 after three quarters and withstood a furious Rocket rally to win 32-29.
The squads have little time to bask in the glow of their victories. They travel to Wellsville today for a tournament before hosting Independence on Monday afternoon. The seventh-graders tip off this morning at 9 o’clock; the eighth-graders at 10:45.
The one-two punch of Braden Plumlee and Chase Regehr paced the Ponies in the eighth-grade contest.
Plumlee had 15 points and five rebounds. Regehr had 14 points and eight boards.
“We did a good job of setting the pace and being aggressive,” Iola coach Marty Taylor said. “It was a good way to start the season, but we have a long way to go to where we want to be.”
Joey Zimmerman followed with five points, followed by Zane Beasley with three points, and Ethan Scheibmeir, Rhett Allen and Gage Cleaver with two points each. Scheibmeir and Ben Cooper each had six rebounds.
Sigg had 11 points and 11 rebounds; Komma 10 points and 12 boards.
“A very good start for these kids,” Taylor said. “We didn’t handle the press very well late, but overall it was a good effort. Evan, Matt and Ethan (Holloway) did a good job of controlling the inside.”
Cale Barnhart added four points and three boards. Holloway had three points and six rebounds. Isaac Vink and Nick Vaughn each scored two points.
Chanute’s seventh-grade B team won 19-12. Dalton Ryherd scored six for the Ponies. William Winner, Vaughn and Komma scored two each.
IMS squads open season on high note
