PITTSBURG — Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade girls had a game with two entirely different halves. Fortunately, the Ponies made the most of the second half to win the game.
“We played our worst half of the year but we backed it up with our best,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head coach, after the Ponies beat host Pittsburg Community Middle School 20-13 Saturday.
The win came on the heels of a 17-13 loss to Girard to open the Winter Classic. It was a close contest from the beginning with Girard leading 9-7 at halftime.
Against Girard, Jo Lohman led the Ponies with eight points and three rebounds. Emma Piazza and Torrie Lewis each had two points.
Kyra Moore had one point and seven rebounds. Emery Driskell pulled down nine rebounds.
“We played hard all game. Defensively, we were very good but just couldn’t get our easy shots to fall,” Taylor said.
Pittsburg pushed out to an 11-6 halftime lead. Iola turned the tables and only gave up two points in the second half. The Ponies scored 14 points to claim the win.
Lohman poured in nine points followed by six from Moore. Driskell had three points and controlled 11 rebounds. Piazza and Lexie Long each had one point.
“Emery Driskell played with energy all day long,” Taylor said.
Iola’s eighth-and-seventh-grade girls finish their basketball season today at home. The Ponies host Parsons in three games starting at 3:30.
Ponies place second in Classic
