By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

WHEELERSBURG — It was like going from a highway to a school zone. But the Ironton Fighting Tigers don’t seem to worry about the speed limit.

After playing in a fast-paced, 95-94 game last Friday, Ironton was in a drastic contrast of styles against the Wheelersburg Pirates on Tuesday.

In what seemed like a snail’s pace, Ironton adjusted well and beat the Pirates 53-39.

“I thought the kids played very composed and stayed with the game plan. I was real proud of their composure,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

“They didn’t have an answer for us inside. We’re being more patient and taking better shots. They wanted to keep the pace of the game slow and we wanted to keep the pace of the game how we wanted.”

Trey Fletcher had 19 points and Zac Carter scored 16 — 13 in the second half — as Ironton improved to 14-4.

Wheelersburg (5-12) was led by Dylan Miller with 13.

Ironton opened the game with an 8-2 run but a layup by Aaron Cowgill got the Pirates within 9-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Dion Brown’s spinning layup and a putback by Trey Fletcher gave Ironton a 13-6 lead to start the second quarter The Pirates were within 17-14 on a 3-pointer by Eddie Miller but Fletcher’s dunk off an alley oop pass and a three-point play by Zac Carter gave Ironton it’s biggest lead of the half at 24-16.

Dylan Miller’s 3-pointer at the buzzer made it 24-19 at the half.

Josh Glover and Zac Carter combined for 9 points to begin the second half as Ironton took a 33-21, but the Pirates scored 6 straight to get back in the game.

Carter’s three-point play with eight seconds left put Ironton up 38-29 to end the quarter.

Fletcher’s layup and Brown’s free throw made it 41-29 and the lead remained around 12 points until the final minute of the game when Ironton converted 7 of 8 from the foul line.

LaFon said Ironton’s maturity this season has been a key and he said leadership from senior Nolan Johnson is a factor.

“We were really young last year. Nolan Johnson is the only senior and he doesn’t care if he plays. He just wants to win. He wants this senior season bad. He broke his leg and he worked hard to get back quicker than expected and the kids respect that,” said LaFon.

Ironton hosts Chillicothe next Tuesday.

Ironton 9 15 14 15 = 53

Wheelersburg 6 13 10 10 = 39

IRONTON (14-4): Zac Carter 4 1 5-6 16,Trey Fletcher 7 9 5-6 19, Dion Brown 2 0 4-6 8, Nolan Johnson 0 0 2-2 2, Josh Glover 1 0 2-2 4, Trevor White 2 0 0-0 4, Aaron Stephens 0 0 0-0 0, Tanner Dutey 0 0 0-0 0, Darrius Boykin 0 0 0-0 0, Joe Bowling 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-33 18-22 53. 3–point goals: 1-4. Rebounds: 8-21=29 (Fletcher 9, Brown 6, Johnson 5). Assists: 9 (Carter 7). Steals: 1 (Carter). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.

WHEELERSBURG (5-12): Eddie Miller 2 1 0-0 7, Dylan Miller 3 1 4-4 13, Aaron Cowgill 2 0 2-2 6, Clay Massie 2 1 0-0 7, Jacob Spradlin 0 0 0-0 0, Brett Hood 0 0 0-0 0, Derek Moore 3 0 0-1 6. Totals: 15-41 6-7 39. 3-point goals: 3-17. Rebounds: 2-8=10 (Moore 4). Assists: 8 (Cowgill 2, D. Miller 2, Massie 2). Steals: 5 (Moore 3). Turnovers: 6. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.