By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

IRONTON — Now that’s revenge.

After playing poorly in a 62-57 loss 10 days ago at Greenup County, Ironton proved it was the better team by dominating the Musketeers in the rematch 72-26 on Friday.

So what was the difference? Ironton coach Mark LaFon said it was merely execution.

“I’m not going to lie and say we did anything special. It was the same plan. You’ve got to play hard,” said LaFon.

“We’ve played well at times (this season). We have to learn to play on a consistent basis. I was proud of our effort tonight.”

Zac Carter had 21 points — 17 in the second half — to lead Ironton (11-3). Trey Fletcher added 15 points and six rebounds while Trevor White came off the bench to score 12 points and pull down 10 rebounds.

Fletcher had 11 of his points in the first half.

“When Trey decides to control the lane, he does. You might beat him the first time, but he’ll get you the next three,” said Lafon.

Ironton’s defensive intensity was at its best, forcing 23 turnovers.

The Fighting Tigers’ defense limited the Musketeers to only 32 field goal attempts for the game.

Ironton was 25 of 48 from the field for 52 percent and 21 of 27 from the foul line including 12 of 17 in the fourth quarter.

Greenup was just 9 of 32 for 28 percent and 4 of 12 at the line.

The Fighting Tigers also dominated the boards 36-16. Stephenson had five to lead the Musketeers who had only three offensive rebounds.

The lead changed hands six times with Ironton finally taking the lead for good at 11-10 on a layup by Fletcher with 11 seconds on the clock.

The defense held Greenup County scoreless in the second quarter en route to a 25-10 halftime lead. The Musketeers managed to get off only five shots in the second quarter.

Greenup County went scoreless from the 1:07 mark of the first quarter until a free throw by Justin Bond with 7:13 on the third quarter clock.

But Ironton used 11 points by Carter in the third quarter to outscore Greenup 19-5 and take a 44-15 cushion into the fourth quarter.

Darrius Boykin, Carter and White all had six points each in the fourth quarter and the Fighting Tigers shot well at the foul line to score 28 points in the fourth quarter and win going away.

Ironton hosts Columbus Horizon Science at 5 p.m. Saturday as part of the Ironton Shootout.

Greenup 10 0 5 11 = 26

Ironton 11 14 19 28 = 72

GREENUP COUNTY (10-12): Darius Jackson 0 0 0-3 0, Dustin Linthicum 0 1 0-0 3, Tanner Willis 1 0 2-2 4, Justin Bond 2 0 1-5 5, Hayden Stephenson 1 0 0-0 2, Chris Nichols 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Holsinger 1 1 1-2 6, Dalton Bentley 0 2 0-0 6. Totals: 9-32 4-12 26. 3-point goals: 4-18. Rebounds: 3-13=16 (Stephenson 5, Linthicum 4). Team rebounds: 1. Assists: 3 (Jackson 2). Steals: 4 (Jackson 3). Turnovers: 23. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Stephenson (4th 5:14), Jackson (4th 3:08).

IRONTON (11-3): Zac Carter 6 1 6-6 21, Trey Fletcher 6 0 3-4 15, Dion Brown 0 0 0-0 0, Nolan Johnson 1 0 0-0 2, Josh Glover 3 0 1-2 7, Trevor White 4 0 4-4 12, Tanner Dutey 1 0 0-0 2, Aaron Stephens 1 0 2-2 4, Darrius Boykin 2 0 4-7 8, Sean Lawless 0 0 0-0 0, Nate Garred 0 0 0-0 0, Joe Bowling 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 25-48 21-27 72. 3-point goals: 1-11. Rebounds: 13-23=36 (White 10, Fletcher 6, Stephens 5). Team rebounds: 3. Assists: 5 (Carter 2). Steals: 9 (Glover 2, Carter 2). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.