OSAWATOMIE — With all apologies to Bachman Turner Overdrive, Iola High’s girls made their goal of “taking care of business” come to fruition Tuesday.
The Mustangs took control against an outmanned Osawatomie squad and didn’t look back, winning 54-12.
The win lifts Iola to 6-12 with a week off until the girls wrap up the regular season next week with home games against Wellsville next Tuesday and a road tilt at Santa Fe Trail on Feb. 22.
“I don’t love having Friday off, because it gets us out of our routine,” Iola head coach Kelsey Johnson said. “Sometimes we need a game in there, but hopefully this gives us more time to prepare. We’ll have a week to prepare for Wellsville, and then one day of practice before it’s Sante Fe Trail.”
Johnson’s message to her players before tip-off against Osawatomie was to stay focused, and avoid trying to do too much against a team that has won just once this season, and lost previously to Iola, 64-6.
“There were a few things we could have done better, and the girls did a good job after halftime,” Johnson said.
Elza Clift gave Iola an early lift, with a 3-pointer in the first quarter as the Mustangs raced to a 17-3 lead. The margin was 34-5 at intermission and 48-10 by the end of the third quarter.
Johnson emptied her bench to give her younger players some valuable playing time.
That allowed youngsters like Bethany Miller to score her first-ever varsity points with an inside bucket in the second quarter.
“That’s what I love about this team,” Johnson said. “It’s never all about me. They pull for each other to do well, to make big shots.”
Alana Mader led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points. Harper Desmarteau was close behind with 12. Clift and Reese Curry chipped in with 10 apiece.
“They did a good job of working together and playing as a team,” Johnson said.
Iola’s junior varsity also won in lopsided fashion, 55-4.
Miller led the Mustang JV with 17 points. Desmarteau followed with 11 and Dally Curry scored nine. Clift scored seven, Kaysin Crusinbery chipped in with five, Brooklyn Holloway three, Zoie Hesse two and Jenna Morrison one.
The postseason begins the week of Feb. 26.
