Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The Ironton Fighting Tigers published their own book of “Who’s Who” on Tuesday.

Opposing teams are very familiar with Zac Carter and Trey Fletcher, but some of the less publicized Ironton players made names for themselves as the Fighting Tigers coasted past the Wheelersburg Pirates 57-35.

Carter and Fletcher did their usual damage, but Trevor White and Aaron Stephens introduced themselves as well.

White had 11 points and Stephens a season-high 9 points as they made some strong moves in the pivot.

“We’ve been telling our players the past couple of weeks that you’ve got to put your name on the scouting report. You can’t just be another number. Stephens did that tonight,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

Fletcher led all scorers with 21 points and Carter added 10 points, 8 assists and a steal as Ironton won its eighth straight.

Dylan Miller had 18 points for Wheelersburg (7-10).

Ironton (15-2) led by as many as 26 points and spent much of the second half changing offensive sets and defensive strategies.

“We wanted to make sure to get every part of our offense in and get tournament ready. We tried to run everything we could,” said LaFon.

Ironton only had five offensive rebounds and 26 overall, but there was a reason. The Fighting Tigers hit 25 of 38 shots for 65.8 percent. The defense held the Pirates to 13 of 39 shooting.

“They’re a tough match up for us. Carter and Fletcher are hard enough to guard. White and Stephens are strong and athletic,” said Wheelersburg coach Tom Barrick.

Ironton raced to a 14-1 lead as Fletcher, White and Carter combined for all the scoring. Fletcher’s layup before the end of the quarter made it 21-7.

Miller made back-to-back basket to begin the second quarter and it was 21-11. The Pirates would get no closer.

Fletcher answered with a layup, then stole the ball that led to a layup by Carter. Jake Long’s layup with 48 seconds on the clock opened up a 31-16 halftime lead for Ironton.

Ironton went on a 12-3 run to begin the second half to extend its lead to 43-19 and the outcome was virtually settled.

Stephens had a 3-point play at the end of the quarter and it was 46-26. A lauup by White with 5:29 left in the game pushed the lead to 52-26.

Ironton hosts Spring Valley, W.Va., on Friday.

Wheelersburg 7 9 10 9 = 35

Ironton 21 10 15 11 = 57

WHEELERSBURG (7-10): Eddie Miller 1 0 0-2 2, Aaron Cowgill 1 0 0-1 2, Clay Massie 0 1 0-0 3, Derek Moore 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Miller 6 2 2-4 18, Tyler Claxon 0 0 2-2 2, Austin May 0-1 0-0 3, J.D. Widdig 0 1 0-0 3, Ross Pyles 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-39 4-9 35. 3-point goals: 5-14. Rebounds: 5 offense, 10 defense = 15 (D. Miller 7, Moore 4). Assists: 2. Steals: 3 (D. Miller 2). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (15-2): Zac Carter 5 0 0-2 10, Josh Glover 0 0 0-0 0, Trevor White 5 0 1-2 11, Trey Fletcher 8 1 2-3 21, Aaron Stephens 3 0 3-3 9, Tristan Cox 0 0 0-0 0, Joe Bowling 1 0 0-0 2, Jake Long 1 0 0-0 2, Jalen Schweickart 0 0 0-0 0, Nate Garred 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 25-38 6-10 57. 3-point goals: 1-6. Rebounds: 5 offense, 21 defense = 26 (Carter, White, Fletcher, Stephens 4 each). Team rebounds: 2. Assists: 12 (Carter 8). Steals: 7 (White 3). Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.