Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COLUMBUS — Now the state of Ohio knows what Ironton already knew: Lexie Barrier is good.

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers’ 5-foot-11 senior basketball standout added another jewel to her trophy case with her selection as the Associated Press Division III Player of the Year on Tuesday.

Joining Barrier on the awards stand is Ironton’s Doug Graham who was named the Division III Coach of the Year. Graham led the Lady Fighting Tigers to their first-ever unbeaten regular season and a berth in the state tournament semifinals.

Barrier was joined on the All-Ohio team by eight other area players including teammates Sydney Webb and Cheyenne Scott.

Also named All-Ohio were Rock Hill’s Kaci Russell, Coal Grove’ Emily Compliment, South Point’s Haley Rawlins, Chesapeake’s Kaylee Curry and Fairland duo Emily Chapman and Taylor Perry.

Webb and Chapman were special mention while Scott, Russell, Compliment, Rawlins, Curry and Perry were honorable mention.

Barrier — who has signed with James Madison University — shared the award with Bridgette Rettstatt of Worthington Christian and Ashley Richardson of Doylestown Chippewa.

A first team All-Ohio selection for the second straight year and a two-time Southeast District Player of the Year, Barrier averaged 18.1 points a game, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.2 steals along with 1.5 blocks.

Barrier also became the Ironton girls’ all-time leading scorer this season.

Ironton is the only unbeaten team in the state tournament at 27-0. Graham has a 162-77 record in 10 seasons. He shared the coaching honor with Jon Dawson of Willard.

“A coaching award is an honor for everyone, not just the coach,” said Graham. “You can’t have a successful season or career without good players who are willing to work hard and who are committed to winning. And no coach can do it alone. They have to have good assistants and support help and I’ve been blessed with a lot of good people around me.”

The 5-foot-7 Webb — a junior and two-time All-Ohio selection — averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.7 steals.

Chapman helped lead Fairland to a 20-win season as she averaged 15.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.0 steals. She shot 48 percent from the field.

A 5-9 senior, Scott averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Russell is a 5-5 senior who averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 5.0 steals a game and eclipsed 1,000 career points.

Curry is a 5-8 senior and two-time All-Ohio selection who also scored more than 1,000 points in her career. A four-year starter, Curry averaged 15.0 points and 10.0 rebound a game.

Compliment is a 5-9 sophomore who averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game.

Rawlins — 5-8 senior and four-year starter — averaged 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest.

A 5-7 senior, Perry averaged 12.0 points, 2.0 assists and 2.8 steals.

Webb and Chapman were named to the all-district first team while Scott, Russell, Compliment, Rawlins, Curry and Perry were all second team all-district.