The Iola High boys and girls started out strong but fell late in each of their matchups at home against Chanute on Friday.
The Mustang girls (4-12) jumped out to an early 8-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter but went quiet in the second to allow the Blue Comets to go on a 6-0 run and take a lead they would never surrender. Chanute ultimately defeated Iola, 55-41.
Iola’s boys (6-9) got out to an early 7-0 lead by hitting some jump shots and played tough defense throughout the first three quarters.
Chanute was then able to find their shot in the final quarter when they took an eight point lead which would be enough the rest of the way for a 50-38 Iola loss.
Girls Basketball
Reese Curry was one of Iola’s leaders against Chanute on Friday, particularly in the front court. The Mustang banked in a couple of layups in the first quarter to put her squad ahead at the end of the first, 8-7.
Chanute started rolling in the second quarter when they went on a 4-0 scoring run. Following a couple of Aysha Houk free throws, the Blue Comets then went on another 6-0 run to take an 18-10 advantage.
The Blue Comets took a nine-point lead before halftime behind Peyton Shield’s pair of layups and free throws and Tyra Bogle’s three, layup and pair of free throws. Iola trailed Chanute at halftime, 26-15.
Iola allowed Chanute to go on more of a run in the third when the Blue Comets grabbed a 39-21 lead midway through the quarter. More turnovers from the Mustangs hurt and the Blue Comets took a 45-30 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs maximized their entire court to try and cut into the deficit when Keira Fawson hit four free throws and a layup and Curry went for another pair of layups in the third quarter.
The closest Iola would get the rest of the night was when Houk knocked down a three to bring the deficit within 12 points with four minutes left in the game. The Mustangs ultimately fell by a final score of 55-41.
Houk led Iola with 14 points, followed by Curry’s 11 points and Fawson’s 10.
Boys Basketball
Cortland Carson put Iola ahead 7-0 seven minutes into the first quarter when he hit a two-point jumper for a fiery start for the home team. Carson went for a pair of two-pointers and a three in the first.
Chanute battled back in the second and knotted the game up at 12-12 midway through the quarter. The Blue Comets were aided mainly by Kaiden Seamster’s eight-point second quarter which included a three.
Both teams traded three’s at the end of the first half when Eli Adams and Carson hit three’s for Iola as the teams headed to halftime tied at 20-20.
The Mustangs played fiery defense following the break when Adams grabbed a steal and went the length of the court for a layup to put Iola ahead by four, three minutes into the half.
Chanute’s Seamster came down and hit a free throw after being fouled to knot the game at 29-29 with two minutes left in the third quarter.
