Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

There’s an old saying that goes “Don’t just stand there, do something.”
That’s what coach Doug Graham told his Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers who responded by beating the Olentangy Lady Braves 52-44 on Sunday in the Ironton Classic.
Ironton trailed early and then led just 33-31 heading into the fourth quarter. That’s when the Lady Tigers got going.
“We took care of the ball and started attacking the basket. We stopped being so passive and passing the ball on the perimeter. You make one, two maybe three passes and then you attack the seam. They had almost all their defense from the foul line up,” said Graham.
Bailey Cummings made two foul shots for the Lady Braves to tie the game starting the fourth quarter.
Riley Schreck then buried a 3-pointer to start an 11-0 run capped by Lexie Arden’s trifecta and a foul shot by Samantha LaFon for a 44-33 lead.
Bridget Stafford hit 5-for-5 of her 3-point attempts in the first half for 15 points including one to give Olentangy a 21-19 lead. But Schreck hit another 3-pointer as Ironton (7-1) took a 22-21 halftime lead.
Lexie Arden scored to put Ironton up 28-21 before Kennedie Doup’s trey cut the spread to 28-26.
After 15 points in the first half, Stafford managed only 5 points in the second half, 3 from the foul line.
“They gave us some problems to start off. We knew (Stafford) and (Doup) were shooters. We knew (Stafford) could light it up pretty good,” said Graham.
“Credit to Ellie Williams, Kameren Arden and Riley Schreck. I said (at halftime) Stafford had 15 of their 21 points. Who wants to guard her? Who wants to step up and defend her? Ellie and Kameren raised their hands and Riley played a little on her.”
Arden was 5-of-6 down the stretch and Schreck added a free throw as Ironton sealed the win.
Arden finished with 17 points, LaFon had 13 and Schreck got 10 points including three 3-pointers.
Olentangy 11 10 10 13 = 44
Ironton 10 12 11 19 = 52
OLENTANGY (4-5): Bridget Stafford 20, Meg Spohn 9, Johnna Spohn 5, Kennedie Doup 5, Bailey Cummings 3, Isabelle Walters 0, Karmen Long 0, Camryn McCulty 0, Reagan Richeson 0. Totals: 14-38 9-17 44. 3-pt goals: 7-19. Rebounds: 20. Assists: 5. Turnovers: 15.
IRONTON (7-1): Lexie Arden 17, Samantha LaFon 13, Riley Schreck 10, Evan Williams 4, Ellie Williams 4, Lydia Hannan 2, Kirsten Williams 2, Kameren Arden 0. Totals: 18-37 11-18 52. 3-pt goals: 5-13. Rebounds: 27. Assists: 15. Turnovers: 22.