Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade girls continued to clamp down on defense, not allowing visiting Coffeyville to score a point before halftime Tuesday.
The Ponies led 22-0 at the break, winding up with a 34-5 victory to push their record to 5-1.
“No matter what happens on the offensive end, these girls don’t let it affect their defense,” IMS head coach Marty Taylor said. “It wasn’t a pretty game, but the girls played hard and battled through some mistakes.”
Three Iola eighth-graders outscored Coffeyville by themselves
Toni Macha led the way with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Lexi Heslop added eight points and five rebounds, Riley Murry chipped in with six points and six boards and Sydney Wade had four points, nine rebounds and five assists. Jadyn Sigg added two points and two rebounds.
“Toni Macha has been outstanding over the last couple of weeks,” Taylor said. “She plays so hard nobody has an answer for her.”
The seventh-graders turned around an earlier defeat by claiming a 21-16 win over Coffeyville.
“Coffeyville beat us a couple of weeks ago 25-9,” Taylor noted. That shows how hard this group has worked to get better.”
Iola led 4-2 after one quarter, 9-7 at halftime and 14-11 after three.
“It was by far the best all-around game we’ve played,” Taylor said. “Everybody on the team contributed.”
Katie Bauer and Colbi Riley shared high-scoring honors with eight points apiece. Bauer had 13 rebounds; Riley two. Eliza Hale added five points and four rebounds.
The win lifts the seventh-graders’ record to 3-5.
Coffeyville edged the Pony B team 18-15. Brook Storrer scored nine points to lead the Ponies. MaCayla Bycroft added four points and Madison Carlin two.
Iola resumes play Monday at Independence.
IMS eighth-graders continue defensive dominance
