PARSONS — Six minutes into Friday’s game it had all the makings of a runaway victory for Parsons High’s Vikings. They had done it before to Iola High’s Mustangs.
In December at Iola, the Vikings blew open a close game with a 29-8 run in the third quarter on the way to a 60-34 win.
But not Friday night. The visiting Mustangs fought back and were in the game late.
A basket by Charles Apt opened the fourth quarter and Iola was within three points, 31-28. The Vikings never lost the lead and used an 18-10 run from that point to pull away for a 49-38 win.
“The result was the same but it was a much better game. Our effort was solid and we played them tough,” said Bill Peeper, Mustang head coach.
“We are so close in so many ways to the success on the basketball court we want.”
The loss dropped the Mustangs to 0-2 in Southeast Kansas League play and 1-13 overall. The Vikings improved to 2-0 in league and 12-2 overall.
Iola tries again to play a home game this coming Friday. The Mustangs haven’t played on their home court since Jan. 4. They were to have played Chanute at home Tuesday but the snow postponed the game.
Next week Iola is idle on Tuesday then hosts Fort Scott on Friday.
Parsons pushed out to a 5-0 lead before Jarred Latta scored Iola’s first basket at the five-minute mark of the first quarter. The Vikings were up 12-2 when Jerrik Sigg scored for Iola.
Craig Beachner’s three-pointer gave every indication that the Vikings were ready to continue to pull away. It was 15-4 then Iola scored five consecutive points.
The Mustangs got free throws by Braden Larson and Levi Ashmore and a basket by Christian Kauth. Kauth hit a three and Apt sank a free throw to make it 17-13 with 1:07 left in the period.
Parsons ended up with a 22-13 halftime lead. The Vikings had taken a 20-18 lead into the intermission in December’s game.
Appearances can be deceiving. The Vikings tossed in the first five points of the third quarter to lead 27-13. Again it appeared the Vikings were leaving the Mustangs behind.
Brock Borovetz was called for a foul plus assessed a technical foul. Latta sank both free throws then Clint Heffern connected for a field goal.
Iola set sail on a 13-4 surge. Ashmore had a three-point play and Kauth’s basket made in 31-26 at the close of the quarter.
“We got that basket to start the fourth quarter. But as it is in our nature this season, our opponent makes the plays to seal the deal instead of us,” Peeper said.
“But we played hard and we had a great effort tonight.”
Ashmore paced the Mustangs with 10 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists. Corey Taylor pulled down six rebounds and Kauth had three assists.
“Corey had his best game this season. He didn’t score but did a lot of nice things out there. Levi had a nice showing offensively,” Peeper said.
Iola stayed in the game by knocking down 11 of 16 free throw attempts. Parsons went 5 of 14 at the line.
Steve Jones scored 12 points for Parsons and Borovetz added 10.
In the junior varsity game, Parsons won 57-42. Devon Conner scored nine and Ashmore had eight for Iola.
The Mustang freshmen won 60-52. Adam Kauth fired in 20 points followed by 18 from Tyler Powelson and 10 from Tyler McIntosh.
Iola (4-9-13-12—38) (FG/3-pt): Heffern 1-0-4-2, Conner 0-0-1-0, J. Latta 2-2-2-6, Sigg 2-2-1-6, Taylor 0-0-4-0, Larson 0-2-1-2, C. Kauth 2/1-0-2-7, Apt 2-1-2-5, Ashmore 3-4-1-10. TOTALS: 12/1-11-18-38.
Parsons (12-10-9-18—49) (FG/3-pt): Krull 3/1-0-4-9, Jackson 3-0-1-6, Collins 0/1-0-2-3, Borovetz 3/1-1-4-10, Nolting 0-0-1-0, Kelly 1-2-3-4, Beachner 1/1-0-0-5, Jones 5-2-3-12. TOTALS: 16/4-5-18-49.
Vikings ice the Mustangs in SEK
