Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

OAK HILL — It was the kind of game fans have come to expect from the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers and Oak Hill Lady Oaks.

In a gritty defensive struggle, the Lady Tigers got past the Lady Oaks 46-43 on Thursday.

“It was a great game. Both teams played extremely hard,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham. “Both teams played good defense and were attacking. It was a grind it out game.”

Lexie Barrier had 10 points, Lexie Washington 9 points and Karlee McMackin 8 to lead a balanced Ironton offense.

Paige Roseberry hit four 3-point goals and scored 16 points for the Lady Oaks. Leanna Adkins had 15 points in her fourth game back for Oak Hill (6-6).

Ironton was up 11-10 at the end of the first quarter. Alicia Murphy hit a basket just before halftime to give Ironton a 22-21 lead at the break.

Ironton outscored the Lady Oaks 13-8 in the third quarter and Barrier drained a 3-pointer before the buzzer and it was 35-29.

The two teams continued to battle in the fourth quarter with the Lady Oaks outscoring Ironton 14-11, but it was not enough to overtake the Lady Tigers.

Graham said it was a good win for the Lady Tigers (8-3).

“To beat Oak Hill at full strength on their court was a great accomplishment. Oak Hill has a great program. They have been the team to beat in Southeast Ohio for a lot of years. Coach (Doug) Hale does a great job,” said Graham.

Ironton hosts Vinton County on Monday.

Ironton 11 11 13 11 = 46

Oak Hill 10 11 8 14 = 43

IRONTON (8-3): Lexie Washington 2 0 5-8 9, Lexie Barrier 3 1 1-2 10, Ariel Schweickart 1 0 2-4 4, Karlee McMackin 3 0 2-5 8, Alicia Murphy 3 0 0-1 6, Macy Wise 1 0 2-4 4, Taylor Hannan 1 0 0-0 2, Alana Martin 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 15 1 13-26 46. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

OAK HILL (6-6): Alex Kuhn 1 0 1-2 3, Kayla Swann 2 0 0-2 4, Merrill Melvin 1 0 0-0 2, Abby Haislop 1 0 1-2 3, Paige Roseberry 1 4 2-2 16, Leanna Adkins 3 1 6-11 15, Miranda Melvin 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 5 10-19 43. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Me. Melvin.