FORT SCOTT — Offensively, Iola High’s Fillies were as cold as the weather had turned Friday.
Through three quarters of play against host Fort Scott High’s Tigers Friday, the Fillies had just 16 points. But they were not out of the Southeast Kansas League contest at that point.
It was just seven-point game — 23-16. There was no scoring in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter.
In the next five minutes, the Tigers outscored Iola 12-8 sealing the win from the free-throw line. Fort Scott handed Iola a 36-24 setback.
“Fort Scott really packed it tight in the lane and we had trouble driving with the ball to the basket,” said Becky Carlson, Fillies’ head coach. “We continue to play great defense.”
Iola opened SEK play with two wins and now have lost their last two league contests. The Fillies are 2-2 in the SEK and 6-10 overall.
Fort Scott improved to 3-2 in league and 6-11 overall.
Columbus comes to Iola Tuesday in SEK play.
It was the final meeting between the Fillies and Tiger girls as SEK teams. Iola moves to the Pioneer League next year.
Iola opened on five straight points by Kendra Taiclet and led 7-2 when Libby Shay scored. The Fillies were up 7-4 at the close of the first period.
The game was tied twice — 8-8 and 10-10 — in the second quarter. Fort Scott went on a 4-1 surge to take a 14-11 halftime lead.
Kelsey Larson began the third quarter on a steal and layup and it was 14-13. Fort Scott pulled away a bit on a six-point run.
“We just didn’t get many good looks at the basket tonight,” Carlson said. “We just need to continue to work for good shots.”
Iola had the ball to start the fourth quarter and worked off over three minutes trying to get a shot. The Fillies missed and Fort Scott got the rebound.
Larson scored for Iola to make it 24-18 about midway through the quarter. Iola could not break the eight-point barrier.
