By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

As legendary author John Steinbeck wrote, “Even the best laid plans of mice and men can still go wrong.”

Ironton coach Chris Barnes had the plan he wanted to go for an upset of the Fairland Dragons.

But the Dragons used some clutch foul shooting to spoil those plans as they edged the Ironton Fighting Tigers 61-55 in double overtime on Tuesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Fairland (14-1, 9-0) remained tied for first place in the OVC with Chesapeake who beat South Point.

“We told them before the game we were going to have to play long, defensive possessions, don’t get back cut, rebound, and we did every one of those things perfectly,” said Ironton coach Chris Barnes.

“You got to make free throws. And they know it. Anyone who has played basketball before at some level, it could be elementary to intramural (sports), you miss free throws and it could cost you a game. And it doesn’t feel good.”

Ironton made only 11 of 23 free throw attempts and was one of 8 in the second overtime. Conversely, the Dragons were 23 of 31 from the foul line.

“Honestly, we should have been up four. But that happens. They did everything we asked them to do. We all make mistakes. I thought it all worked to perfection. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way,” said Barnes.

Fairland went up 50-46 to start the first overtime as Brody Buchanan hit a foul shot and Cliff Fransen made a 3-pointer. Buchanan made a free throw to put the Dragons up 51-48, but Braden Schreck drained a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left to tie the game.

The Dragons missed a 3-pointer attempt and got the rebound with a chance to score, but Ironton’s Ashton Layne blocked the shot and forced a second overtime.

Buchanan made 5 of 6 free throws to put the Dragons up 58-53 while Ironton missed 6 free throw attempts. Schreck finally hit a foul shot to make it 58-54. After Keegan Smith made a foul shot, Judah Barnes got a putback shot and it was 59-56. But Buhanan sank 2 more free throws to settle the outcome.

Ironton (8-5, 7-2) led by as much at 15-10 in the first quarter after a pair of free throws by Schreck.

Fransen hit a 3-pointer as Fairland trailed 15-13 but Layne’s layup put Ironton ahead 17-13 to end the quarter.

Fransen had a putback and layup to start the second quarter as the Dragons tied the game and his 3-pointer gave them a 20-18 lead.

Trevor Lochow hit a pair of foul shots to put Fairland ahead 24-21.

Markel Cotton’s steal and layup and Schreck’s 3-pointer put Ironton up 26-24 only to have Smith hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Fairland took a 27-26 lead into the locker room.

Schreck’s layup, Barnes’ 3-pointer and a free throw by Cotton made it 32-27.

Smith’s layup, two baskets by Buchanan and a 3-pointer by Lochow to put Fairland ahead 36-32.

Layne had a putback and two free throws to end the quarter as Ironton went up 40-38.

Tyler Roach hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter to put Ironton up 43-38.

Fairland hit 5 of 6 free throws to lead 46-44 but Layne followed up a missed shot to tie the game at 46.

Fairland played for the final shot but turned the ball over. After a timeout by Ironton, Barnes made a long pass to Schreck who made the catch and then let fly a 3-point attempt that hit off the front of the rim and sent the game into overtime.

“An inch arch and that thing swishes,” said Barnes.

Buchanan struggled from the field as he shot just 3 of 13, but he was deadly at the foul line as he converted 17 of 22 attempts and scored 23 points to lead the Dragons.

Buchanan also had 6 assists.

Fransen had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds and Lochow added 11 points.

Layne had a double-double to lead Ironton with 19 points and xx rebounds. Schreck had 15 points and Cotton 11 points.

Fairland    13 14 11 8 5 10 = 61

Ironton  17 9 14 6 5 5 = 56

FAIRLAND (14-1, 9-0): Gabe Polcyn 4 0 0-1 8, Trevor Lochow 1 2 3-4 11, Jeremiah Fizer 0 0 0-0 0, Cliff Fransen 1 3 2-2 13, Keegan Smith 1 1 1-2 6, Brody Buchanan 3 0 17-22 23. Totals: 16-36 23-31 61. 3-pt goals: 6-16. Rebounds: 7-O 15-D = 22 (Fransen 13, Polcyn 7)). Assists: 8 (Buchanan 6). Steals: 1 (Lochow). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Polcyn (2nd OT).

IRONTON (8-5, 7-2): Ashton Layne 7 0 5-9 19, Bryce Markins 0 0 0-0 0, Judah Barnes 1 2 0-0 8, Tyler Roach 0 1 0-2 3, Markel Cotton 5 0 1-4 11, Braden Schreck 2 2 5-8 15. Totals: 20-41 11-23 56. 3-pt goals: 5-14. Rebounds: 5-O 17-D = 22 (Layne 8, Cotton 4, Schreck 4). Assists: 9 (Cotton 4, Schreck 2). Steals: 4 (Cotton 2). Turnovers: 8. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Cotton (2nd OT).