Fourth quarter run not enough for Mustangs

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Sports

January 26, 2015 - 12:00 AM

BURLINGTON — Another fourth quarter comeback was thwarted in the final seconds of the Burlington Midseason Tournament’s finale on Saturday.
The Iola High Mustangs’ last-ditch effort went for naught against Santa Fe Trail, despite outscoring the Chargers 25-16 in the fourth quarter. It was the other three quarters that hurt the Mustang chances. The Chargers outscored Iola in all three and won the game 64-61.
“The last two nights we’ve gone full pressure in the fourth, but that’s not the first time we’ve done it all year,” coach Bill Peeper said. “Foul trouble has kind of been an issue, so we’re going to have to get that solved. Maybe that’s the key. We’re definitely searching for answers.”
With 50 seconds left in regulation, Iola trailed 59-55. Kaden Macha put the game at one possession after scoring on a quick jumper near the free throw line with 35 seconds left. The Mustangs put the game on the Chargers’ free throw shooting ability the rest of the way.
Santa Fe Trail’s Seth Coltrane was put to the line. He sank both free throws, giving the Chargers a 61-57 lead.
On the next possession, Iola’s Adam Peterson fought for a rebound and got a shot off while being fouled. The ball rolled around the rim, before deciding to hit the floor and not the net. Peterson made one at the line and Iola trailed 61-58 with 20 seconds to go. For two straight possessions the Chargers’ Weston Gloss was fouled — he made 3-4 free throws. Santa Fe Trail led 64-58 with 8.2 seconds to go.
Iola’s Ben Cooper responded with his best shot — a 3-pointer. It went in, but the Mustangs didn’t have a timeout to stop the clock (which, should have stopped since the game was in the final minute). But, it didn’t matter. Iola fell 64-61.
It was the second game in a row that the Mustangs made a big comeback to come just short. On Friday night, Iola lost in the final seconds — the officials didn’t’ help that situation, as there was some issues with the clock keeper.
But, the overall play from Iola in the past two fourth quarters has had the Mustangs playing good basketball. Coach Peeper still would like to see more.
“If we were starting to find something, I don’t think we’d lay an egg the first three quarters and then come to play,” Peeper said. “We’d like to think we understand the energy and enthusiasm it takes. We know what it takes to be successful, but we’re not able to do it.”
Peeper figuratively pointed to Macha’s play all season as to what he’d like to see from the rest of the team.
“Kaden’s all over the place. He’s scrapping, clawing and fighting. We have lots of guys that will watch that, but for whatever reason not match that level of intensity,” Peeper said. “That’s not to say he doesn’t make mistakes because he does. But, you can never question his willingness to lay it all on the line. Whether it hurts him or not. He throws his body around and gets beat up. We’re looking for that from other guys.”
The Mustangs (3-9) host Chanute on Friday. Peeper said the team and coaches are trying to adjust as the season moves along.
“It’s definitely a learning experience for all of us. We’re kind of at the tipping point on if we have to decide if we’re still willing to give what it takes to finish this thing out or not,” Peeper said.
“We’re challenging the guys to find that out. But, just as a team, are we still committed to giving what it takes to succeed? Whether our record is any good or not, or whether we enjoy where we are? We know that’s not the case, but we know we’ve got to improve.”

Santa Fe Trail 64, Iola 61
Santa Fe Trail (14-18-16-16—64) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Watkins 2/1-4-3-11, Gloss 8-11-4-27, Coltrane 0-2-3-2, Courtwright 0-0-3-0, Vandevord 2-5-4-9, Hastings 6-0-3-12, Boyd 2-1-4-3
Iola (10-15-11-25—61) (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Cooper 2/2-5-3-15, Fawson 1-0-0-2, Endicott 5/1-0-5-13, Taylor 1-2-4-4, Walden 3/1-3-4-12, Bauer 0-1-1-1, Macha 3-5-4-11, Ingle 0-0-1-0, Peterson 1-1-4-3

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