Iola High’s battles Tuesday may have been as much mental as physical, Mustang head coach Kelsey Johnson said.
Sure, the Mustangs knew their hands would be full Tuesday in a home tilt against Santa Fe Trail, one of the toughest girls teams in the Pioneer League.
Sure enough, the Chargers led from the start, racing to a double-digit lead by the second quarter and fending off every Iola challenge in a 55-33 win.
“They’re a good team, and we knew that,” Johnson said. “Our mentality may have played a role in it. I felt it and the girls felt it, too.”
The Mustangs seemed a bit intimidated by the Chargers’ lightning quick defenders and their athletic post players, Johnson said.
But Iola’s mental makeup also is why Johnson is eager to see the teams in their rematch Feb. 22 at Carbondale.
“I think we can put up a better fight than we did tonight,” Johnson said.
Santa Fe Trail led 15-6 after one period and 28-14 by the break.
Among the silver linings for the Mustangs was reserve junior Alana Mader, who came off the bench to score eight of her team-high 12 points in the third quarter.
But for every Iola charge, Santa Fe Trail had the answer. Five Chargers scored in the period as Santa Fe Trail extended its lead to 43-24.
“We’ve been playing really well,” Johnson said. “We don’t want this loss to define the rest of our season.
Yes, there are things we could have done better. We could have taken better care of the ball. These are things we prepped for, and yes, it’s frustrating. But with this group, I’m glad we play them again.”
One key is to mix the team’s effort with focus, Johnson opined.
“Yes, our effort is there, but sometimes we play because we’re scared to make a mistake,” she noted.
But before Iola worries about a rematch with the Chargers, there are several other key contests upcoming, including a showdown Friday at Chanute.
