Mustangs deck the Trojans

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Sports

January 7, 2012 - 12:00 AM

Home sweet home.
Iola High’s Mustangs found the sweet spots on their home basketball court Friday night. It didn’t matter which end of the court they were at Iola owned the non-league game against Girard High’s Trojans.
The Mustangs dished out a 49-30 setback to the visiting Trojans. It was the first time Iola had played at home since its season opener on Dec. 2.
“This was great to have a home game in front of excited fans,” said Bill Peeper, Mustang head coach. “It was a total team effort tonight.”
The Mustangs improved to 5-3 overall. They play at home in a non-league contest with Fort Scott High’s Tigers Tuesday.
Iola got baskets from Jerrik Sigg, Christian Kauth, a three-pointer by Clint Heffern and another field goal by Kauth to post a 9-0 opening volley. It was 10-4 at the end of the first quarter.
The Mustangs dominated the next eight minutes. They held the Trojans scoreless for over seven minutes while scoring 17 points.
“We came out and were attacking the basket in the first half and that was key,” Peeper said. “Defense and rebounding was tremendous for us in the first half. That is the best we’ve played all season.”
Peeper said the Mustangs set the tone early and never allowed the Trojans to make any kind of run.
The first half ended on three three-pointers. Mikal Bossell drilled one for Iola then Devin Alters hit a trey for the Trojans. With four seconds on the clock, Sigg downed one from long range putting Iola up 29-7 at halftime.
By the midway point of the third quarter, the Mustangs’ advantage was 36-14. Sigg, who was 4 of 4 at the free-throw line, sank two tosses at the 6:57 mark of the fourth quarter. Iola led 41-16.
Sigg paced the Mustangs with 14 points and Braden Larson had 13 points. Iola shot 45 percent, 18 of 40, from the field and went 9 of 13 from the line.
“We talked about being consistent. Playing consistent quarters and to be as good as we want to be it comes down to consistency in our game as a whole,” Peeper said.
Girard got nine points from Alters and nine from Cody Grilz.
Iola’s Larson pulled down six rebounds and Jarred Latta had five rebounds. Clint Heffern and Levi Ashmore each handed out four assists and Drew Walden had three assists.
“It was great to be able to get all of our kids playing time tonight. Everyone is understanding their roles on the team and they are working well together,” Peeper said.
The Mustang junior varsity posted a 48-35 win led by Tyler Powelson with 13 points and Trent Latta with nine points.
Iola’s freshmen pulled out a 39-32 victory. Isaiah Grover, who was 7 of 7 at the line, had 15 points. Kaden Macha added eight.
Iola (10-19-8-12-49) (FG/3-pt): Heffern 0/1-0-1-3, Ashmore 0-1-2-1, Bossell 0/1-0-0-3, Latta 2-1-0-5, Sigg 2/2-4-1-14, Taylor 0-0-1-0, Larson 5-3-1-13, Kauth 4-0-4-8, Powelson 1-0-1-2. TOTALS: 14/4-9-11-49.
Girard (4-3-9-14-30) (FG/3-pt): Alters 0/3-0-2-9, Stolte 2-1-3-5, Walsh 3-1-2-7, Murdock 0-0-5-0, Grilz 3-3-0-9. TOTALS: 8/3-5-12-30.

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