GARNETT —It wasn’t the best game for Iola High’s Mustangs, who lost to Anderson County 57-34 on Friday night. Anderson County 57, Iola 34
“We’ve been struggling about every way that we can at this point,” coach Bill Peeper said. “Obviously, I’m at a loss on how to motivate us, it’s as much on me as it is anybody. I’m not getting us there.
“As far as preparation and getting us ready to play, getting ready to compete, we’re not getting there. As coaches we’re always searching and trying to figure out ways to push us forward and at this point we’re still pushing.”
Iola’s Ben Cooper scored the game’s first points by hitting an open 3-pointer with 6:10 to play in the first quarter. After the Bulldogs made 3-4 free throw attempts over the next minute, Iola got back on the board with a turnaround jumper from Adam Peterson. Kaden Macha made two free throws to close out the quarter and the game was tied 7-7.
For a game that started close, it got out of hand rather quickly in the second quarter. After Cooper made one of his two free throws to tie the game at 8-8 with 5:20 left in the half, Anderson County rushed to a 9-0 run to lead 17-8.
Macha ended the drought by leaping through the lane to hit a one-handed circus layup. That basket may have put Iola on the board again, but it didn’t stop the Bulldogs from scoring. They ended the half with a 9-5 run and 26-15 lead.
It seemed like the Mustangs were poised turn drizzle into a fall-on thunderstorm and make it rain the in the third quarter. However, that didn’t happen. Iola started the half trading baskets, but it quickly became one-sided in Anderson County’s favor.
Peterson hit Iola’s first basket. Anderson County answered. Peterson hit Iola’s second basket. Anderson County answered with a 9-0 run. It wasn’t like the Bulldogs shots were destroying the Mustangs.
There was a two minute gap from when Peterson’s second shot went in to when Anderson County went on their run. Anderson County’s full-court press wore down the Mustangs. As did the referees. Overall, there were a total of 51 fouls called in the game — 30 for Iola and 21 for Anderson County. It was tough for the Mustang offense to get any rhythm going.
In the fourth quarter Iola was outscored 20-13.
Iola (4-13) host Osawatomie on Tuesday.
“We definitely play better at home and we played better against Prairie View than we did tonight,” Peeper said. “At this point, we’ve just got to do everything better. It’s on us as individuals and a team. We came in at halftime and we only had 11 rebounds. Six were from one guy — Kaden Macha. He was also struggling to handle the ball and had turnovers. Its on all of us we need to get better.”
Peeper liked the way that his guards — Shane Walden and Ben Cooper — handled the ball. He admitted that Anderson County’s press wore them out. Peeper also noted that Peterson had a great game effort-wise from a non-foul standpoint, in a game that featured more whistles that made baskets for the Mustangs.
Anderson County (7-19-11-20—57) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Fredrick 1-2-3-4, Ahreing 1-0-3-2, Skeler 0/2-2-2-8, Ratliff 3-5-4-11, Ja. Rundle 4-5-2-13, Levy 3-2-3-8, Jo. Rundle 2-0-1-4, Nelson 2-3-3-7
Iola (7-8-6-13) (FG/3p-FT-F-TP): Cooper 2/1-1-3-8, Fawson 0-0-2-0, Regehr 0-1-0-1, Endicott 1-0-5-2, Taylor 2-1-5-5, Aiello 0-0-2-0, Walden 0-1-3-1, Bauer 1-0-0-2, Macha 1-5-5-7, Holloway 1-0-2-2, Peterson 3-0-3-6
Mustangs offense goes silent Iola lost to Anderson County 57-34 in a game that had 51 fouls
