ALTAMONT — Labette County High’s lethal transition game, spurred by lightning-quick guards and towering post players, put Iola High’s boys in a deep hole Wednesday — twice.
But the Mustangs didn’t go quietly.
Tyler McIntosh’s driving layup with less than 30 seconds remaining was the Mustangs’ final salvo in a furious comeback attempt, slicing what had been a 17-point deficit to three, 57-54.
But Labette County had too many weapons.
The Grizzlies’ Lee Reliford went 4-for-4 from the line to secure a 61-54 Labette County win.
The loss ends Iola’s season at 7-13 and on a nine-game losing skid.
Even with the negative outcome, Mustang coach Bill Peeper said Iola ended the season with reason to be proud.
“That’s what we told the guys before the game,” Peeper said. “Regardless of whether our season ends tonight, tomorrow or next week, make sure you’re proud of the way you go out. And we got a great effort tonight.”
Labette County’s decisive 23-3 run — started with a Tucker Thompson 3-pointer to end the first half — spanned about six minutes of game time. Chase Dodsworth’s trey with about 3 minutes left in the third quarter, gave the Grizzlies’ a 45-27 lead.
But like they did in the first half, Iola pulled up its proverbial boot straps and went to work.
Adam Kauth twice sliced past Labette County defenders for buckets to trigger a 13-2 Mustang run. Trent Latta opened the fourth quarter with a basket, followed by a pair of 3-pointers by Mason Coons less than 30 seconds apart. Coons’ second shot from downtown trimmed the Grizzly advantage to 47-40.
Reliford and Zack Stewart scored in a 5-0 Grizzlies’ run to push their lead back to 12 before Tyler Powelson scored twice for the Mustangs. Latta stepped to the forefront again, with a layup, followed in quick succession by a pair of 3-pointers, the last with 53 seconds left to trim the lead to 56-52.
Thompson went 1-for-2 from the line for Labette County before McIntosh’s layup with 24 seconds left on the clock ended the Mustangs’ 12-3 run, before Reliford’s free throws sealed the victory.
Labette County followed a similar pattern in the first half. After both teams went scoreless for the first 2:15 of the game, Reliford scored six points and Dontae Johnson scored four in a 10-0 Grizzly run.
Levi Ashmore, also in his high school finale, came off the bench for four quick points for the Mustangs. Kauth and Latta alternated baskets before Ashmore banked in a jumper from the free-throw line. Powelson’s basket with 3:29 left in the half gave Iola its first lead. Kauth scored again with 2:17 remaining before Powelson ended the half with a pair of baskets, the second of which put Iola on top 25-22. Thompson’s trey for Labette County knotted the score at 25-25 at halftime.
“This was the type of game we’ve been waiting for,” Peeper said. “We kept fighting and scratching and clawing. They were bigger than us at nearly every position, but we did a nice job with our defensive rebounding. Even though we lost, this was a game we can be proud of.”
Latta led the way for Iola with 14 points with four rebounds and two steals. Powelson added 13 points and six rebounds, while Kauth had 10 points and five rebounds. Coons had eight points, eight rebounds and four assists. Ashmore dished out six assists.
Four Grizzlies scored in double figures: Thompson with 17, Reliford with 15, Johnson with 12 and Stewart with 10.
Playing their last game in a Mustang uniform were seniors Coons, Ashmore, Eli Grover, Tyler Clubine and Cole Morrison.
“These were great character guys for our team,” Peeper said. “Whether they played a little or a lot, these were guys who are helping us turn things around. We’ll have a strong group of kids coming back. We’re still looking for that break-through, so we can take that next step.”
Labette County advances to play host Independence in substate semifinal action. Top seed Field Kindley will face El Dorado in the other semifinal contest.
Iola (8-17-7-22—54)
Labette Co. (16-9-22-14—61)
Iola (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Latta 4/2-0-5-14, Ashmore 2-2-1-6, Coons 1/2-0-2-8, McIntosh 1-1-4-3, Macha 0-0-2-0, Kauth 5-0-1-10, Powelson 6-1-3-13. TOTALS: 19/4-4-17-54.
Labette Co. (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Johnson 5-2-2-12, Buchanan 0-0-1-0, Dowty 1-0-0-2, Reliford 5-5-2-15, Dodsworth 1/1-0-2-5, Thompson 5/1-4-2-17, Stewart 5-0-2-10. TOTALS: 22/2-11-11-61.
Mustang comeback bid falls short
