Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Spring Valley’s hot start burned the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

The Timberwolves built a big lead early and held off a strong second half surge by the Fighting Tigers for a 72-59 win on Tuesday in the 7th annual Ironton Classic.

Spring Valley was 24 of 45 from the field for the game for 53 percent. The Timberwolves were 9 of 22 from behind the arc for 41 percent.

“They shot the ball exceptionally well, executed well and we didn’t respond,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

“Our effort was non-existent the first half. It was very poor physical effort on our part and a great effort on their part. They executed.”

Spring Valley opened the game with a 14-0 run and finished the quarter with a 23-7 lead.

Ironton (2-3) began to slow the T-Wolves some in the second quarter but the lead went to 39-19 at the break.

Ironton rallied in the third quarter by outscoring the T-Wolves 18-9 to cut the deficit to 48-37.

“At the half we talked a bit and got some things straightened out. But I didn’t say anything new. We extremely reinforced what I said at the beginning of the game,” said LaFon.

The scoring picked up for both teams in the fourth quarter as the T-Wolves outscored Ironton 24-22.

Joe Bowling led Ironton with 19 points. Tristan Cox had 14 points and Phillip Kratzenberg scored 13.

Greg Herbert and Jacob Kilgore had 21 points each for Spring Valley (5-0). Riley Locklear added 10 points.

Ironton visits Olentangy next Tuesday.

Spring Valley 23 16 9 24 = 72

Ironton 7 12 18 22 = 59

SPRING VALLEY (5-0): Jonah Mathis 6, Zach Ramey 1, Kane Morrone 2, Greg Herbert 21, Jacob Kilgore 21, Caiden Conley 9, Riley Locklear 10. Totals: 24-45 15-21 72. 3-point goals: 9-22 (Kilgore 4, Conley 3, Herbert 2).

IRONTON (2-3): Phillip Krazenberg 13, Joe Bowling 19, Tristan Cox 14, Marques Davis 5, Desmond Young 3, Tanner Price 2, Raphael Glove 3, Jake Isaac 0. Totals: 21-54 12-17 59. 3-point goals: 5-19 (Cox 2, Kratzenberg, Bowling, Davis).