Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade boys played without key contributors Matt Komma and Ethan Holloway Thursday. IN B TEAM action, Fort Scott edged Iola, 19-18, in the seventh-grade contest and 16-0 in the eighth-grade matchup.
Nevertheless, their 35-23 loss to visiting Fort Scott Thursday left head coach Marty Taylor encouraged.
“We were a little short-handed, but the kids played hard and never gave up,” Taylor said. “I love the effort these guys are playing with. Kids like Matt Miller, Zach Cokely and Kaden Knavel are getting a chance to play a lot, and they are doing a good job.”
Evan Sigg led the Ponies with 11 points and eight rebounds, followed by Cale Barnhart with four points, Miller with three points and five boards, Isaac Vink with three points and Nick Vaughn with two points and four rebounds.
The seventh-grade A team saw a half-time lead dissipate in the third quarter of a 36-32 loss.
Iola led 21-15 at the break before Fort Scott rebounded to lead, 27-26, after three.
“We fell a little too much in love with the outside shot,” Taylor said. “We are a much better team when we penetrate and dish out, or swing the ball to the open man. Some foul trouble hurt us a little bit, but the kids played hard.”
Blake Ashmore’s 11 points paced Iola, followed by Kane Rogers with seven points and 12 rebounds and Tayton Driskel with seven points and 10 boards. Derek Bycroft chipped in with five points and four boards. Cole Regehr scored two.
Matt Karr led the seventh-grade B team with seven points, followed by Hunter Baughn with six and Tim Komma with five.
Ponies fall to Fort Scott
