Boys fall to Wapello

IMS showed resolve in battling back from an 18-point second half deficit, but the hole was too deep, as Wapello defeated IMS 63-52 Thursday night in Hillcrest Union. The game, rescheduled following the passing of IMS student Teresa Cardenas, saw both teams a little skittish early, with both teams committing turnovers and struggling to score. IMS led 2-0 after two minutes of play, and then with IMS leading 6-4 after three minutes, Wapello went on a 14-8 run to lead 18-14 after one quarter.

IMS’s ballhandling woes continued in the second quarter, and the team also struggled to make shots, as the Indians pulled away to a 32-19 lead at the half. The Wapello lead would grow to 18 in the third period before IMS cut it back to 13 points to close the quarter, down 43-30. IMS continued it’s push, getting the margin to eight, but could get no closer. Wapello held the home team at bay down the stretch by pounding the ball inside to 6’6 center Keaton Mitchell, who scored four straight buckets for the Indians.

IMS was led on the night by Mitchell Schmieder with 16 points. Cole Ours scored 13, Reggie Borntrager followed with nine and Eli Ours had eight points, all in the second half. Schmieder had five rebounds, Caleb Gingerich had four assists, and Schmieder had three steals. Wapello was led by all state guard Trenton Massner with 24 points, 19 coming in the first half. The Indians limited IMS to a season-low two three-point goals, one each by Cole Ours and Trevor Leyden.

Coach Dwight Gingerich said “I liked the way we responded in the second half, as far as effort. This game exposed a lot of things for us to pay attention to, and at the same time let us know we can compete with really quality ball clubs. This was a good time for us to have a game like this, no question.”

IMS drops to 3-1 on the season, all conference games to date.

: Reggie Borntrager, Jeremy Niemeyer

: Mitchell Schmieder

: Eli Ours (15)

: Cole Ours