FORT SCOTT — Inconsistency plagued Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade A team Monday while the seventh-grade B team lost a heartbreaker. IN THE seventh-grade contest, Iola’s Blake Ashmore narrowly missed recording his second straight buzzer-beater when his 3-pointer gave Iola a 28-27 lead with six seconds remaining. IN B TEAM action, Iola’s eighth-graders fell, 29-13. Caden Knavel scored eight and Matt Miller five.
In the eighth-graders contest, the Ponies could not hang on to a one-point lead after the third quarter. Fort Scott ended the game on a 12-8 run to win, 35-32.
“Our energy all night, except for Nick Vaughn and Cale Barnhart, just was not where it needed to be,” Iola head coach Marty Taylor said. “We had spurts of good basketball, but we were far from consistent.”
Evan Sigg led the way with 10 points and six rebounds. Ethan Holloway followed with eight points and 10 boards. Matt Komma had six points and five rebounds. Isaac Vink had five points, while Vaughn scored three.
“Isaac got three good looks at the end, but they just wouldn’t fall,” Taylor said.
But the Ponies were called for a foul with .3 seconds left. Fort Scott hit both free throws for the win.
“After the first five minutes, the boys played pretty good basketball,” Taylor said. “But we have to come out ready to play every night. I thought Kane Rogers and Cole Regehr gave us a good effort tonight, and Tayton Driskel has really worked to turn himself into a pretty good basketball player.”
Rogers had nine points and four rebounds. Ashmore followed with eight points. Driskel scored four points with 11 rebounds. Regehr scored four and Jeremy Waldman three.
The seventh-grade B team won, 11-5, in overtime. Tim Komma scored 11 and Matt Karr five for Iola.
Pony squads fall short in road tilts
