RICHMOND — Iola High’s girls knew to expect a high-pressure, smothering defense from Lebo Thursday.
“We’ve been talking about, and practicing for it,” Mustang head coach Kelsey Johnson said. “But you can’t duplicate it.”
The Wolves hounded Iola throughout a smothering first half, putting together an 18-0 run.
Iola’s 46-22 setback in the semifinals of the Ike Cearfoss Memorial Tournament puts the Mustangs in Saturday’s third-place game. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. against Osage City at Central Heights High School.
Iola’s Reese Curry scored inside on Iola’s first possession of the game.
But Iola didn’t score again until Zoie Hesse converted on an inside bucket with 7 minutes left in the half.
In the interim, Lebo scored from inside and out, including several layups fueled by press-induced turnovers.
The lead swelled to 31-10 at the break.
Johnson’s message to her players after the game was simple.
“We knew they were going to be fast, but after seeing the game, I think we can be just as fast,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to learn that stuff, like sprinting back on every possession.
“This team has so much potential,” she continued. “We just have to unlock it. We’ve gotta learn from this, and gotta adjust. We’ve just got to keep building. We can’t go backwards now.”
Hesse scored six and Alana Mader five to lead Iola.
Lebo’s potent onetwo punch of Audrey Peek and Saige Hadley accounted for 21 and 15 points, respectively.
Iola (1-2) resumes regular season play on Tuesday at Burlington.
Lebo (15-16-14-1—46)
