With their leading scorer and floor leader sidelined, the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers were looking for someone or someones to step up.

Friday, January 07, 2000

With their leading scorer and floor leader sidelined, the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers were looking for someone or someones to step up.

Ashley Hannon and Sarah Herman climbed quite a few steps along with a few others.

Hannon, a freshman, scored a career-high 21 points and Herman added 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Ironton downed the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 44-33 Thursday night.

Hannon also had four steals.

"With Ensor out for this game and Portsmouth (next Thursday), we needed people to step up for us," Ironton coach Kevin Richardson said.

"Tonight it was Ashley Hannon offensively. She’s been hurt herself and even sat out a week of practice and missed the Chesapeake game, so she’s just starting to get back into form."

Also stepping up was freshman Candace Ferguson with 11 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Desiree Butler and Cassie Ball scored 9 points each to pace Coal Grove (3-7). Sara Patterson added 7 points and Stacy Easterling chipped in 6.

Coal Grove moved out to an 11-7 first quarter lead before Ironton rallied behind the shooting of Hannon the second quarter and got within 22-20 at the half. Hannon scored 7 points in the quarter including 3-of-3 from the line.

The Lady Tigers tied the game at the end of the third quarter at 29-29, and then Hannon scored 9 points the fourth quarter including a 3-pointer as Ironton outscored the Lady Hornets 15-4.

"Ashley had a big scoring night, but it was a team effort," Richardson said. "Ferguson and Herman dominated the boards for us, (Courtney) Doughman and (Rachel) McClellan came up with some key steals, and (Carly) Isaac and (Rachel) Wylie shared the point guard position and had only four turnovers between them.

"We started slow, but we finished strong. Coach (Dave) Owens does a great job with his team."

Ironton (2-5) is at Portsmouth Thursday while Coal Grove hosts Fairland Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

COAL GROVE – 11 11 7 4 – 33: Desiree Butler 1 2 1-2 9, Cassie Ball 4 0 1-2 9, Sara Patterson 3 0 1-1 7, Stacy Easterling 1 1 1-2 6, Courtney Coffman 1 0 0-2 2, Jessica Bryant 0 0 0-2 0, Jennifer Christian 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-49 (3) 4-11 33. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON – 7 13 9 15 – 44: Sarah Herman 4-8 0-0 3-5 11, Ashley Hannon 6-11 2-3 3-5 21, Candace Ferguson 2-6 0-0 0-0 4, Courtney Doughman 2-3 0-0 4, Rachel Wylie 1-3 0-0 0-0 0, Carly Isaac 0-8 0-0 2-2 2, Rachel McClellan 0-6 0-1 0-0 0, Christina Norris 0-2 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-47 2-6 8-12 44. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 33 (Herman 12, Ferguson 11). Assists: 4 (Hannon 2, Isaac 2). Steals: 13 (Hannon 4). Blocked shots: 3 (Ferguson 2, Doughman 1).