A year ago, Iola High was in a similar circumstance on the hardwood.
The Mustangs showed early glimpses of a potential state-bound basketball team, with a few breakdowns here and there, as they approached the War on 54 Midseason Tournament.
Like a year ago, Iola cruised to the title game.
Last year’s tournament, however, ended with a last-second, heartbreaking loss to Cherryvale in the championship game.
“We had a chance to step forward, but it kind of deflated us the rest of the year,” Mustang head coach Luke Bycroft recalled.
This time, there was no such War on 54 letdown for Iola.
The Mustangs played what Bycroft described as their most complete game of the season in a 63-44 win over Anderson County.
“I couldn’t have been prouder of the energy and intensity they played with on defense,” Bycroft said. “These guys play more focused and they know their roles better when they play with intensity.”
Iola showed early on there’d be no replication of the teams’ first matchup in the season-opener, a game in which Iola trailed 15-0 out of the gates and didn’t take its first lead until Cortland Carson scored on a driving layup with 20 seconds left in a one-point victory.
This time around, Iola’s Mac Leonard — who missed the first contest because of injury — drilled an early 3-pointer after Anderson County led, 3-0.
Iola ended the period with a 7-2 run, and then turned on the jets in the second period to open a 35-21 lead at the break.
The Bulldogs could never pull within single digits in the second half.
Iola reserve Nick Bauer was effective at keeping the Bulldogs off balance. He wound up with four steals, most coming in the second as the margin reached as much as 22 points down the stretch.
“Nick was huge defensively,” Bycroft said. “When he gets more confidence in the offense, he’s gonna be a big part of what we want to do. Right now, he’s already there with his defense. His eyes and mind are on the ball at all times.”
Cortland Carson once again powered the Mustang offense with 20 points. Matt Beckmon followed with eight. Grady Dougherty had nine rebounds, while Landon Weide dished out five assists to go with six points.
Noah Porter scored 14 and Preston Kueer 10 for Anderson County.
