COFFEYVILLE — Taking a road trip did wonders for Iola Middle School’s Pony basketball teams Thursday.
Iola’s eighth-grade A-team notched a 39-37 win in overtime against host Roosevelt Middle School at Coffeyville. The Ponies were up 15-12 at halftime.
Roosevelt’s Roughriders outscored the Ponies 8-4 in the third to take a 20-19 lead. Iola forged a 30-30 tie by the end of regulation with an 11-10 edge in the fourth quarter.
The Ponies poured in nine points in the overtime period while holding the Roughriders to seven.
“I’m very proud of these kids for the effort they put out tonight,” said Marty Taylor, IMS head coach. “They just kept scratching and clawing until the end.”
Brice Aiello had a double-double for Iola with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Brett Taylor tossed in seven points.
Keanan Badders cleared 13 rebounds and had three points. Gus Hopkins pulled down 10 rebounds and scored five points. Colby Works added three points and Ethan Sigg had one point.
“Brice just had so much energy tonight and he kept us in the game. Even though we were about six inches shorter, Keanan, Brice and Ethan did a great job inside, especially in the second half,” Taylor said.
Iola’s seventh-grade A-team had a solid start and held off Roosevelt for a 29-23 victory.
The Ponies rolled to a 12-2 first quarter lead and were up 19-11 at intermission. They opened the second half on an 8-2 run in the third quarter.
“We did a great job of coming out aggressive and taking the game to them,” Taylor said.
Braden Plumlee and Chase Regehr paced the Ponies. Plumlee fired in 11 points and claimed 17 rebounds. Regehr had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Garrett Wade chipped in eight points.
“Braden has really come a long way this year. He had a very nice game,” Taylor said. “Chase works for every point and every rebound he gets and Garrett had his best game by far.”
There were no B-team games played Thursday.
The IMS boys finish their season at Pittsburg Monday.
