GARNETT — Points were hard to come by for Iola High’s girls Friday.
The Mustangs struggled mightily on the offensive end, falling behind 17-4 after one quarter against Anderson County.
And while Iola’s defense clamped down from there, the offensive struggles continued in a 39-17 defeat in Iola’s season-opener.
“We did not do a great job of adjusting,” head coach Kelsey Johnson said.
Iola’s biggest troubles stemmed from finding clean looks against the Bulldogs’ defense. The Mustangs converted only five field goals for the game, and never more than two in a single quarter.
Still, the Mustangs were able to force Anderson County into a litany of mistakes, particularly in the second and third quarters. The Bulldogs scored a combined 10 points over the stretch, until heating up from the outside.
Iola trailed 24-7 at the break, and 28-10 after three quarters.
Johnson noted Iola’s defensive intensity was a positive.
“It was good for us to get out and see what we could do,” she said. “We can be a fast team, although we didn’t look like that tonight. We were still fighting. It’s just a matter of getting everybody on the same page.”
She also praised the work of freshman Zoie Hesse, whose inside presence at both ends of the court can be built upon.
“She fit right in,” Johnson said. “There was no doubt in my mind that she’d go hard.”
Iola will be right back in action on Monday when the Mustangs travel to Richmond for a preseason tournament.
“Obviously, we need to get a little more practice,” Johnson said, “but it’s good to play. That’s why you practice.
We’ll be alright.”
Anderson County prevailed, 27-13, in the junior varsity matchup. Hesse paced the Mustang JV with six points. Bethany Miller followed with four, Dally Curry two and Stephanie Fees one.
