Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers got off to a good start and thus spoiled the coaching debut of Greg Damron as they beat the Rock Hill Redwomen 63-40 on Thursday.

The Lady Tigers came out of the gate running as they opened up a 22-2 first quarter lead and were never headed.

“We got off to a great start and then we lost some of our intensity. But we were able to play a lot of people and work on a lot of different things,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

“We played well, but Rock Hill didn’t play that poorly. I think coach Damron has them doing some things well.”

Despite missing 10 free throws in the first quarter, Ironton was still able to take a big lead in the first quarter.

Ironton (2-0) led 38-17 at the half and went up 50-25 after three quarters as Lexie Barrier scored 9 points in the third quarter.

“It was a hard one to open up with. They have a good team and good team speed and we didn’t get acclimated to it quick enough,” said Damron.

Barrier finished with 19 points including four 3-pointers to go with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 7 steals to lead the Lady Tigers. Taylor Hannan had 8 points, 6 steals and 3 assists.

Brook Knipp had 10 points and Tommi Butler 9 to lead the Redwomen who host Green at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Ironton visits Raceland, Ky., on Monday.

Ironton 22 16 12 13 = 63

Rock Hill 2 15 8 15 = 40

IRONTON (2-0): Lexie Washington 2 0 3-12 7, Jordan Leach 0 0 0-0 0, Lexie Barrier 2 4 3-7 19, Taylor Hannan 1 0 6-6 8, Macy Wise 0 0 2-4 2, Ariel Schweickart 1 0 2-4 4, Alana Martin 4 0 0-0 8, Karlee McMackin 3 0 0-2 6, Alicia Murphy 2 1 2-6 9, Jordan Hannan 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 5 18-41 63. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 37 (Wise 8, Washington 7, Barrier 6, Martin 5). Assists: 11 (T. Hannan 3, Barrier 3). Steals: 24 (Barrier 7, T. Hannan 6, McMackin 3).

ROCK HILL (0-1): Sarah Travis 0 0 1-4 1, Madison Damron 1 0 1-2 3, Brooklyn Massie 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Blagg 0 0 0-0 0, Lindy Simpson 0 1 0-0 3, Brook Knipp 3 0 4-6 10, Ashton Neal 0 0 0-0 0, Kacie Russell 3 0 1-2 7, Katie Johnson 0 0 5-7 5, Tommi Butler 4 0 1-4 9, Samantha Dillon 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12 1 13-25 40. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: None.