GARNETT Losses where you play great are maybe the most bitter pill to swallow.
Sometimes you bring a winning effort but luck and happenstance stand in the way of actually being able to draw a W next to your name after the final buzzer.
Such was the situation for the Iola boys who gave a talented and previously ranked Anderson County team all they could handle on their home floor Saturday after a full week off. The Mustangs lost to the Bulldogs, 57-54.
I heard one of their guys walking off the court say that this was the worst that they had played all year and there is a reason for that, Bycroft said. We busted our tails on the defensive end. Everyone did. I cant be more proud of what we did to them defensively.
With seconds left on the clock, Anderson County nearly took the lead.
A Bulldog shot had rimmed out and was rebounded by another Anderson County player and instead of getting the easy, go-ahead putback, Iola junior Cal Leonard raced across the lane and attempted to rip the ball out of his hands, forcing a tie-up.
After the game, Bycroft stated that Leonards effort on that play was just one example of the tenacity and the heart that Iola left on the court Saturday afternoon.
Anderson County got the ball back and with 2.5 seconds left to play nailed a well-guarded three, pushing their lead to 57-54. Iolas final heave was unsuccessful.
Despite the loss, Bycroft pointed to the effort and intensity that he saw from his team throughout as what hed be taking away from the game.
The Bulldogs, despite not being currently ranked, have been one of the top teams in 4A this season and were fresh off of beating a Girard team thats ranked top-five in class 3A.
Their offense is potent and led by senior Carson Powelson whos scored tons of points throughout the year including dropping nearly 30 versus vaunted Girard. Against Iola, Powelson had just 12.
Senior big-man Kass Alnutt did pick up some of the pieces for the Bulldogs, scoring 22 thanks in part to the Mustangs lack of size with senior forward Hunter Preston out.
IF YOU NEED another example of the Mustangs defensive toughness, you wouldnt have to look much further than the second quarter. Iola opened up a 10-0 run which gave them a 10-point lead.
Anderson County was held without scoring until the 2:15 mark of the second quarter.
Under difficult circumstances, Bycroft said. We have put together, back-to-back, the best two games weve played all season. You cant sit here and let the fact that they hit a guarded three at the end change the perception of how we played.
