Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WHEELERSBURG — The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers decided to reprise the old TV show “Eight Is Enough.”

Ironton’s defense limited Wheelersburg to a mere 8 points in the second half as the Lady Tigers beat the Lady Pirates 40-28 on Monday.

“I am proud of my girls for their effort. To allow eight points in the second half to a quality team like Wheelersburg, that’s pretty good,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

“It was a great defensive effort. Our girls really stepped up their intensity in the second half.”

The Lady Tigers — who struggled with their shooting in the first half — limited the Lady Pirates to 3 for 19 shooting in the second half for 16 percent and 12 of 43 for the game.

Ariel Schweickart had 15 points and 5 steals to lead the Lady Tigers (15-5). Lexie Barrier scored 14 points to go with 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

Ironton held a 39-27 rebound advantage including 16-7 on the offensive glass. Karlee McMackin grabbed 7 rebounds and Alicia Murphy 6.

Sydney Holden had 11 points and 9 rebounds for Wheelersburg (15-5). Fay Proehl added 8 points and 7 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers led 10-4 early and 12-11 at the end of the first quarter, but they made just one of 14 shots in the second quarter and fell behind 20-15 at the half.

Schweickart hit a 3-pointer to start the second half. Holden answered with a layup but Schweickart buried another trifecta.

Barrier made a put-back and then drained a trey that gave Ironton the lead for good at 26-24 with 3:40 left in the quarter.

Schweickart was fouled at the buzzer and hit both free throws for a 28-24 lead.

A steal and layup by Schweickart began the fourth quarter. Holden made a foul shot at the 5:05 mark, but the Lady Pirates didn’t’ score again until Paige White hit a 3-pointer with 1:02 to play.

By that time Ironton had scored 8 unanswered points to open up a 38-25 lead.

“We had a great second half. We were stepping into our shots. We missed a lot of early open looks, but in the second half we hit some big shots,” said Graham.

Ironton 12 3 13 12 = 40

Wheelersburg 11 9 4 4 = 28

IRONTON (15-5): Lexie Washington 2 0 0-0 4, Lexie Barrier 4 2 0-0 14, Ariel Schweickart 2 2 5-6 15, Karlee McMackin 0 0 0-0 0, Alicia Murphy 1 1 0-2 5, Jordan Hannan 0 0 0-0 0, Alana Martin 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 15-49 5-8 40. 3-point goals: 5-14. Rebounds: 16 offense, 23 defense = 39 (McMackin 7, Schweickart 7, Murphy 6). Team rebounds: 8. Assists: 5 (Murphy 4). Steals: 11 (Schweickart 5, Barrier 3). Turnovers: 20. Fols: 10. Fouled out: None.

WHEELERSBURG (15-5): Brooke Smith 1 0 0-0 2, FayProehl 4 0 0-0 8, Sydney Holden 3 1 2-3 11, Maggie Stegman 1 0 0-0 2, Brooklyn Adams 1 0 0-0 2, Lauren Bays 0 0 0-0 0, Paige White 0 1 0-0 3, Sarah Willis 0 0 0-0 0, Laiken Salyes 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12-43 2-3 28. 3-point goals: 2-7. Rebounds: 7 offense, 20 defense = 27 (Holden 9, Proehl 7). Team rebounds: 5. Assists: 5 (Stegman 2). Steals: 5 (Stegman 2). Turnovers: 20. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.