BURLINGTON — Not since Feb. 5, 2010, has Iola High’s Mustangs posted a basketball victory. That has been 17 straight games without a win.
The Mustangs found their way to a victory Friday night in a consolation game at the 2011 Burlington High Invitational. Iola defeated Rossville High’s Bulldogs 55-41.
Iola (1-9) plays in today’s fifth-place game against Paola, a 44-42 winner over Sabetha Friday. Tipoff is at 4:45 p.m. at Burlington Middle School’s gym.
In the championship semifinals Friday, Burlington beat Santa Fe Trail 70-59 and Topeka-Hayden defeated Labette County 61-34.
“This a great win for our kids. It was important for us to build on the three quarters we played against Burlington Tuesday,” said Bill Peeper, Mustang head coach.
“Our kids saw they were capable of playing well and tonight, they came out with a lot of heart and passion.”
Iola trailed briefly twice early — 2-0 and 4-2. A three-point field goal by Jerrik Sigg put Iola up 5-4 and they never trailed again.
Sigg, who had a career-high 20 points, led the Mustangs to a 16-6 first-quarter lead. Iola got baskets from Braden Larson, Levi Ashmore and Charles Apt as well.
Apt’s two baskets and a bucket by Sigg pushed Iola to a 22-8 lead two minutes into the second quarter. Rossville’s Mitch Buhler connected from outside the three-point arc.
Iola answered with a basket by Larson and three-point play by Sigg. Clint Heffern’s three gave the Mustangs a 30-14 lead. Iola was in front 30-18 at halftime.
“Jerrik was key for us, especially early. He made a lot of big things happen,” Peeper said.
Things cooled off a bit for the Mustangs in the third quarter. The Bulldogs made a run to cut the deficit to five, 32-27, with 2:33 left.
Jarred Latta sank two free throws and scored a late basket to put Iola up 36-29. Larson opened the final period with a bucket for the Mustangs.
“There was no panic. Charles and our juniors stayed calm and worked through it in the third quarter. Braden and Charles gave us solid play on the interior,” Pepper said.
Apt finished with 14 points and five rebounds. Larson had eight points, eight rebounds and blocked four shots. Sigg grabbed eight rebounds and had two assists.
The Mustangs kept the Bulldogs at bay outscoring them 19-12 in the final eight minutes. Iola sank 5 of 7 free throws down the stretch to seal the deal.
“Going 12 of 15 at the line was an improvement for us,” Peeper said. “It was good to see our kids play with confidence tonight, even when we weren’t scoring.”
Heffern had two assists and Ashmore made two steals.
The Bulldogs were led by Buhler with 13 points and Dalson Catron with 11.
Iola’s last win was a 76-66 at home against Columbus in Southeast Kansas League play last February.
Iola (16-14-6-19—55) (FG/3-pt): Heffern 0/1-0-4-3, Ashmore 1/1-1-4-6, Latta 1-2-3-4, Sigg 6/1-5-2-20, Larson 4-0-4-8, Kauth 0-0-2-0, Apt 5-4-4-14. TOTALS: 17/3-12-23-55.
Rossville (6-12-11-12—41) (FG/3-pt): Taylor 2-1-2-5, Catron 4-3-2-11, Quiett 2-5-3-9, Buhler 3/1-4-1-13, Little 0-1-5-1, Cook 0-2-2-2, Greco 0-0-2-0. TOTALS: 11/1-16-15-41.
Mustangs win. Mustangs win.
