Some torrid outside shooting from Burlington and an offensive lull for Iola Middle School spelled trouble for the Mustang eighth-grade boys in their season-opener Thursday.
The visiting Wildcats hit five 3-pointers — three in the third quarter alone — as Burlington pulled away in the second half of a 39-25 victory.
Burlington also prevailed in the other three contests, winning 30-8 over the eighth-grade B team, 57-6 in the seventh-grade A team matchup and 46-0 in the seventh-grade B team game.
In the eighth-grade game, Iola trailed 8-5 after one quarter, but a Mosiah Fawson bucket followed by back-to-back field goals from Reed Clift pushed Iola ahead 11-8.
Burlington responded with a 3-pointer to trigger a 9-0 run to end the half before outscoring Iola 17-8 in the third quarter.
Fawson led the way for Iola with eight points, followed by Clift with seven. Colton Thompson, Reginald Davis, Brycen Baker, Noah Anderson and Kevon Loving all had field goals as well.
Anderson scored four points to pace the the IMS eighth-grade B team. Brodon Westerman and Drake Genoble also had field goals.
Konner Morrison scored five of Iola’s six points in the seventh-grade A team affair. Braylon Keithly chipped in with a field goal.
Following a tournament in Wellsville Saturday, IMS is back in action at home Monday, also against Wellsville.
