Mustangs, Fillies basketball season starts Friday

Iola High’s basketball season starts on Friday at Girard for both the boys and girls teams. Each team still has questions about playing time, and will use Friday as an opportunity to see which players step up.
The boys lost seven seniors to graduation last year, all of whom garnered plenty of playing time during the Mustangs run to the Class 4A-II State Tournament. Kaden Macha is the only returning starter this season, but Iola will have five other seniors.
“I have really high hopes for Adam Peterson on the inside; he’s our post presence,” coach Bill Peeper said. “He’s the only guy with much size at the varsity level. So, we hope he can progress and show that he’s able to hold down the fort inside.”
Besides Macha and Peterson, the other seniors include Alex Bauer, Kohl Endicott, Travis Hermstein and Shane Walden.
“We talked before how we lack experience, so I’m hoping the guys can step up to the challenge and show they can fill the shoes of the seniors who have moved on,” Peeper said. “I want them to show we will be able to compete and make a good showing. Hard work and competitiveness are definitely the things we’re working for.”
The Girard Trojans will be a good test for Iola because they will be in Iola’s substate bracket. Anderson County and Prairie View also are in the four-team substate.
“Girard will be the team to beat of those four. They also made state last year like us,” Peeper said. “They had seven sophomores and two seniors playing last season. They only lost the two seniors, so they still have a core group returning.”
Girard’s 6-5 forward Drew Davied is a key player the Mustangs will have to account for during Friday’s tilt.
“He’s a solid scorer and a good shooter, just a good basketball player,” Peeper said. “We know they’ll be aggressive, they’re always well-disciplined. I’m sure they have high expectations for the season.”
Although Peeper said he hasn’t seen the preseason rankings, he said Girard could be a top-five team in Class 4A-II.
“We’ll find out a lot about ourselves, but mostly individuals. We will know a lot more after game one, about what we can expect from our players and who we can count on to fill the roles we need,” Peeper said. “Whether that’s ball handling, being a good scorer or defender, we’ll know a whole lot more with this game under our belt.”

THE FILLIES ARE coming off a successful 13-9 season, in which they won the Pioneer League. Unlike the Mustangs, they return a plethora of starters and seniors.
Addie Haar and Emery Driskel each earned first team All-Pioneer League last season. Also returning are Emma Piazza, Kyra Moore, Jo Lohman, Lexie Long and Sara Gonzales.
Coach Becky Carlson said the seniors will get to play, but she has yet to determine the starting lineup. Underclassmen Mikaela Platt, Ashlie Shields, Toni Macha, Sydney Wade and Olivia Bannister will also get on the court.
“I think the seniors are great leaders and the underclassmen add to our team,” Carlson said.
This game will pit Iola against a taller Girard team. Sophomore Ashley Ray is listed as 6-3 and sophomore Calea Augustin is listed at 5-11. Iola doesn’t have a player taller than 5-11.
“They’re pretty tall. Their strengths are definitely around the basket, I think they’ll have trouble handling pressure,” Carlson said. “That’s all I know. They graduated quite a few girls last year.”
Carlson said the she wants the Fillies to be aggressive on defense and push the ball on offense to get easy baskets.
“I think Girard is a very competitive team. We are really excited to play to see where we are.”
Iola, Girard, Anderson County and Prairie View comprise the Class 4A-II Substate bracket.

TIP OFF for the varsity girls game will start at 6 p.m. on Friday and the varsity boys will follow.