Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade Ponies played two close games in Saturday’s IMS Winter Classic. They lost one and won one.
The IMS eighth-grade A-team claimed third place in its division. They defeated Meadow View Middle School 36-33.
Iola led 14-12 at halftime. Each team added eight points to its total in the third quarter. The Ponies had a 14-13 scoring edge in the final period.
Brice Aiello had a double-double for the Ponies with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ethan Sigg added eight points.
Scoring two points each were Brett Taylor, Sagar Patel and Gus Hopkins. Colby Works added one point.
Iola lost 32-31 to Columbus in the opening round. The Ponies were up 25-18 after three quarters. The Titans stormed back on a 14-6 run in the fourth quarter.
Taylor had eight points and four rebounds for Iola. Works tossed in eight points and Aiello had seven. Keanan Badders and Hopkins each scored four points.
“You certainly couldn’t question our effort. We weren’t always playing smart basketball but we did play hard,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head coach.
“These kids did a good job of putting a tough loss against Columbus behind them and playing well against Meadow View.”
Taylor said Brett Taylor and Works played well against Columbus. Aiello came out with a lot of energy against Meadow View, he said.
Chanute beat Meadow View 47-20 then took the championship game 44-39 over Columbus.
In the other division, Gir-ard beat Pittsburg 42-38 for the championship after defeating Independence 49-33.
Pittsburg beat Parsons 46-42. Parsons finished third winning 45-39 in overtime against Independence.
The IMS eighth-grade and seventh-grade teams travel to Parsons today then Columbus on Tuesday.
