CHANUTE — The Iola High girls struggled early against Chanute and fell to the Blue Comets 34-28.
The Mustangs found themselves in a 10-2 hole to start the game, as ball handling became an issue.
Iola got some offense going toward the end of the first quarter when Josie Plumlee hit 1-2 free throws. A 3-pointer from Iola’s Aysha Houk pulled the Mustangs to within 18-7 at the half.
Iola’s ball control woes returned in the second half, as Chanute outscored the Mustangs 8-4 in the third quarter.
Houk hit another trey in the third quarter to help energize the Mustangs, but by then Chanute led by double digits.
Houk’s third 3-pointer of the night keyed an Iola rally to end the game.
But as it has previously, Iola looked sloppy before finding its groove after halftime.
“It’s been the same story all year,” said Iola head coach Kelsey Johnson. “We start slow and start scoring near the end. We are relaxed at the end of the game and that’s when we start scoring instead of in the first quarter.”
Iola’s junior varsity lost 34-30. Keira Fawson had 10 points and Karingten Hall had seven. Jackie Fager had two.Tatum Boyd had four. Kaysin Crusinbery had three. Reese Curry had four.
Iola is back in action Tuesday against Santa Fe Trail.
IOLA (2-10-2-14—28) (FG/3pt): Houk 5/3-0-5-13 Plumlee 2/1-2-4-9 Boyd 0/1-0-1-3, Sell 0-1-1-1 Miller 1-0-0-2 TOTALS: 5/5-3-15-28
CHANUTE (10-6-10-8—34) Shields 1-3-3-5, K. Haviland 2-0-1-4, Laforge 2-0-3-4, A. Haviland 0/1-0-0-3, Bogle 0-1-2-1, Follner 0-2-2-2, Smith 6-3-4-15. TOTALS: 12/1-6-17-34
