By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WAVERLY — The Ironton Fighting Tigers have their own version of missing in action.

Ironton’s offense was MIA in the second half in a 52-45 loss to the Zane Trace Pioneers on Monday in the Division 5 district semifinals at Waverly’s Downtown Arena.

Ironton led at the half, went ahead by 10 points to start the second half and led by 6 points going into the fourth quarter.

Not even new FBI director Kash Patel could help.

“Late in the game, we just couldn’t find the bucket,” said Ironton coach Chris Barnes. “You can critique all those things when you’re trying to find a way to score. You’re trying to get a turnover or anything at that point.”

Ironton was led by Bryce Markins who made five 3-point goals for 15 points. Braden Schreck had 11 points and Maddix Markel came off the bench to score 10 points.

“We knew it was going to be physical. That’s how they play, but they did a good job defensively,” said Barnes.

“Braden did what he could on that bad ankle. Markins had one of his best games. Markel came off the bench and did an outstanding job. We were down 7-0 and he just brought some good energy.”

Zane Trace had three players in double figures as Landen Jarrell scored 15 and both Grady Stewart and Gunnar McCullough netted 14 each.

The Pioneers jumped in front 7-0 to start the game. Markel came in and hit a 3-pointer and got a putback and then Markins drilled a 3-pointer and Ironton led 8-7 with 2:41 on the clock.

Stewart got a steal that he turned into a 3-point play for a 10-8 lead. Ashton Layne had a tip-in for Ironton only to have Jarrell hit a 3-pointer for a 13-10 lead.

But Markins made a triple and Schreck sank two foul shots as Ironton took a 15-13 lead at the end of the quarter.

Schreck had a layup to start the second quarter but Stewart answered with a 3-pointer. Markel sank a free throw, Schreck drained a trifecta with 4:48 on the clock for a 21-17 lead and Markins hit another 3-pointer and the lead was 24-19.

McCullough’s bank shot made it 27-21 only to have Markel make a putback just before the buzzer for a 29-21 halftime lead.

Layne scored to start the second half as Ironton went up 31-21. Ezra Rippeth scored and Stewart hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 31-26.

Markel’s layup off a pass from Schreck with 36 seconds left in the quarter had Ironton up 39-31, but Landen Jarrell’s layup with seconds left had the Pioneers within 39-33.

Jarrell then hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter and then made a 12-footer followed by a free throw by McCullough to tie the game with 4:31 to go.

Schreck’s layup with 3:01 to play gave Ironton its last lead at 42-41 before Rippeth’s 3-pointer put Zane Trace ahead for good at 55-42 with 2:24 on the clock.

Down 47-42, Tyler Roach hit a 3-pointer as Ironton closed the gap 47-45 with 1:04 to play.

The Fighting Tigers were forced to foul and the Pioneers converted 5 of 8 the rest of the way to seal the win.

The Fighting Tigers fell to 15-8. They have lost twice to Fairland, Chesapeake and Spring Valley and once to Minford in the first game of the season and finally Zane Trace.

Four of the five teams have posted 20 wins this season. Spring Valley is 18-2 with the postseason to play.

“I know the guys are hurting, but that’s another 20-3 team we’ve lost to. We know we’re right there. It’s kind of been a microcosm of our season,” said Barnes.

“These are the elite teams. We’re right there. Turnovers weren’t bad. There are times we can’t score. Sometimes it’s in the first quarter, sometimes it’s in the fourth quarter. It’s frustrating. Not one loss was for the lack of effort.”

Zane Trace (20-4) will play Minford at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Ohio University in the district finals.

Ironton     15 14 10 6 = 45

Zane Trace 13 8 12 19 = 52

IRONTON (15-8): Ashton Layne 2 0 0-0 4, Bryce Markins 0 5 0-0 15, Judah Barnes 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Roach 0 1 0-0 3, Markel Cotton 1 0 0-0 2, Maddix Markel 3 1 1-2 10, Braden Schreck 2 1 4-6 11. Totals: 88 5-8 45. 3-pt goals: 8-22. Rebounds: 7-O 17-D – 24 (Cotton 6, markel 6, Barnes 5, Schreck 3). Assists: 10 (Barnes 3, Schreck 3). Steals: 4 (Schreck 3). Blocks: 1 (Cotton). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

ZANE TRACE (20-4): Landen Jarrell 3 2 3-4 15, Grady Stewart 1 3 1-3 14, Noah Houston 0 0 0-0 0, Ezra Rippeth 2 1 2-2 9, Judah Hanks 0 0 0-0 0, Landon Robinson 0 0 0-0 0, Gunnar McCullough 4 0 6-10 14, Coen Larson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-39 12-19 52. 3-pt goals: 6-17. Rebounds: 5-O 17-D = 22. Assists: 12. Steals: 4. Blocks: 2. Turnovers: 7. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.