INDEPENDENCE — Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade A team received contributions from up and down its lineup Saturday, picking up a pair of wins in the process.
Nobody was as explosive as the Ponies’s Braden Plumlee, who scored 23 of Iola’s 33 points in its 33-27 first-round win over Royster Middle School and 23 of Iola’s 43 points in a 43-29 win over Pittsburg in the championship of Independence’s IMS Winter Classic.
“Braden was aggressive today,” Iola coach Marty Taylor said. “He was really good in both games.”
Iola led Chanute-based Royster 11-10 after one quarter and 21-17 at halftime. The lead grew to 29-21 by the end of the third period.
Chase Regehr added six and 10 rebounds for the Ponies. Gage Cleaver and Joey Zimmerman registered two points each. Plumlee also had two rebounds.
Iola broke out quickly over Pittsburg in the championship, leading 17-6 after one quarter and 28-12 at halftime. Pittsburg played better in the second half, but could not cut into the double-digit deficit.
Regehr added seven points and 11 rebounds. Ben Cooper and Zimmerman had three points each. Zane Beasley, Rhett Allen and Ethan Scheibmeir each scored two points. Colton Toney had one.
“What a great effort these kids put in today,” Taylor said. “All 12 kids had a role in these wins. Chase struggled a little on offense but his toughness on the boards and on defense was a big boost.”
Iola, 5-4, returns to action tonight at home against Parsons. Iola’s seventh- and eighth-grade A and B teams will play.
Ponies pick up wins
