Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WAVERLY — Teams who live by the 3 can also die by the 3.

The Peebles Lady Indians made a good living in the first half shooting 3-pointers. But Ironton’s defense put the nail in their coffin as the Lady Tigers held Peebles to nine points in the second half and beat the Lady Indians 37-34 Thursday in the Division III district semifinals.

Peebles (16-9) came into the game having won 12 of its last 13 games. The Lady Indians’ momentum was evident in the first half as they hit 7-of-10 shots from 3-point range and made 56 percent of their shots overall (9-of-16).

But Ironton’s defense limited Peebles to just 3-of-11 shooting in the second half and only 1-of-7 from behind the arc.

“They drove inside and that allowed them to get open for 3-pointers. They’re a good-shooting team,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham. “We made a few adjustments and got closer to the shooters.

“We had some breakdowns, but I’m happy with their defensive effort, even with the first half. To hold them to 34 points is saying something. They hit a lot of 3s, but they have some skilled players and they are well-coached.”

Ironton (20-5) will play Adena at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, at Ohio University in the district title game. Adena pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Crooksville 45-25.

Ariel Schweickart carried Ironton offensively with a game-high 22 points including 17 in the first half.

“I put so much on Ariel. She does so much for us,” said Graham.

Lexie Barrier struggled with her shooting (2-for-15) as did Ironton as a team, but Barrier had six steals as the defense forced 19 turnovers.

Barrier had her biggest steal with 22 seconds left and Ironton leading 35-34.

“If Lexie Barrier is not scoring it doesn’t mean she’s not helping the team. She does so many things to help us,” said Graham.

Peebles called a timeout to set up a potential game-winning shot, but Barrier stole the ball and drove for a layup with 18 seconds left and it was 37-34.

Taylor Brown attempted a 3-pointer for Peebles that missed. A battle for the rebound ensued until the Lady Indians retained possession on jump ball, but only 1.5 seconds remained.

Sidney Pell grabbed the long inbounds pass and missed badly with a desperation attempt as time ran out.

The Lady Indians came out firing to start the game, hitting their first four shots including three 3-pointers and led 11-2.

Ironton went on a 14-0 run to end the quarter including three 3-pointers by Schweickart and another by Alicia Murphy.

Schweickart followed up a missed shot in the second quarter and it was 18-11.

But Peebles got within 26-25 at the half as Hayleigh Swayne hit a pair of 3-pointers and Alex McFarland and Brown each added a triple.

Ironton was more patient in the second half and led 31-28 on a layup by Schweickart at the 1:28 mark of the third quarter.

But a 3-point play by Baylee Wallace at the 1:08 mark tied the game and her free throw with 26 seconds on the clock put Peebles up 32-31 at the end of the quarter.

A 15-footer by Brown gave Peebles a 34-31 lead with 3:50 left, but Karlee McMackin’s put-back and a running 12-footer by Schweickart put Ironton ahead for good at 35-34 with 2:22 to play.

After a series of turnovers and missed shots, Barrier came up with her clutch steal.

Peebles 11 14 7 2 = 34

Ironton 16 10 5 6 = 37

PEEBLES (16-9): Alex McFarland 1 2 0-0 8, Taylor Brown 0 2 0-0 6, Hayleigh Swayne 2 2 0-3 10, Sidney Pell 0 2 0-0 6, Baylee Wallace 1 0 2-3 4, Brooke Justice 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12-26 2-6 34. 3-point goals: 8-17. Rebounds: 2 offense, 19 defense = 21 (Wallace 3). Team rebounds: 10. Assists: 6 (Brown 3, Pell 2). Steals: 2. Turnovers: 19. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (20-5): Lexie Washington 1 0 0-1 2, Lexie Barrier 2 0 2-2 6, Ariel Schweickart 5 3 3-4 22, Karlee McMackin 1 0 0-0 2, Alicia Murphy 1 1 0-0 5, Jordan Hannan 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Hannan 0 0 0-0 0, Macy Wise 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-51 5-7 37. 3-point goals: 4-17. Rebounds: 17 offense, 14 defense = 31 (Murphy 7, Washington 4). Team rebounds: 6. Assists: 1 (Schweickart). Steals: 11 (Barrier 6, Schweickart 2, McMackin 2). Turnovers: 8. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.