A hot start for Iola Middle School’s eighth grade boys was enough for the Ponies to overcome a shaky night at the free throw line Thursday. IN B TEAM action, Iola’s eighth-graders rolled to a 34-11 win. Zack Cokely and Vaughn both scored eight. Caden Knavel scored six and Drake Sell four. Scoring two apiece were Bryce Andres, Reece Kimball, Cale Barnhart and Miller had two each.
Iola withstood a furious challenge by Royster Middle School to win 39-38.
Iola led 31-20 after three quarters.
“We missed 10 free throws late,” Iola head coach Marty Taylor said. “We have to do a better job there, but overall a good effort. The boys did a good job of coming out with effort and getting the ball to the basket.”
Iola took control in the second quarter, extending a 6-4 advantage to 19-13 by intermission. The Ponies outscored Royster, 12-7, in the third quarter to extend their lead.
Matt Komma was particularly dominant, scoring 16 points to go with seven rebounds. Ethan Holloway pulled down 15 boards with four points. Evan Sigg had 10 boards while scoring two. Nick Vaughn scored eight, Isaac Vink had five and Matt Miller four.
Royster’s seventh-grade A team zipped out to a 24-3 halftime lead in a 36-12 victory.
“We just weren’t ready to play,” Taylor said. “Once we got going, we were OK, but we have to step on the floor ready to play basketball.”
Tayton Driskel had seven points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Waldman scored three. Derek Bycroft chipped in with two points and four boards.
The seventh-grade B team fell, 30-15.
Tim Komma paced the Ponies with four points, Kolt Knoblich scored three and Nic Zimmerman, Matt Karr, Elijah Luedke and Blake Mittelmeier had two apiece.
Iola returns to action next Thursday at home against Coffeyville’s Roosevelt Middle School.
Ponies hold off Rocket challenge
