Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The Ironton Fighting Tigers are in the state tournament and there are three good reasons: Zac Carter, Trey Fletcher and Trevor White.

The three Ironton seniors lead eight area players named to the Associated Press Division III and IV All-Ohio basketball teams.

Also joining the All-Ohio honoree list were Chesapeake Panthers senior guard Javon Thompson, Coal Grove Hornets’ junior guard Conor Markins and South Point Pointers’ junior guard Brandon Barnes in Division III and St. Joseph Flyers senior forward Justin Mahlmeister and Symmes Valley Vikings junior forward Tyler Rowe in Division IV.

The 5-foot-9 Carter capped a brilliant career by being named first team All-Ohio. Ironton’s all-time leading scorer averaged 24.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals a game while shooting 87 percent from the foul line, 48 percent from the field and 32 percent from the 3-point line.

Carter was the Southeast District Player of the Year.

A 6-6 forward who was first team all-district, Fletcher scored at a 20.5 clip with 7.2 rebounds a contest. Besides his inside scoring, he shot 37 percent from the 3-point line and 55 percent overall from the floor.

He also eclipsed the 1,000-career point total.

White — a 6-4 senior forward — was honorable mention All-Ohio and second team all-district. He averaged 10 points and 7.5 rebounds.

The 6-2 Thompson was special mention All-Ohio as he averaged 17.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and helped the Panthers to a 62-10 record in his three years as a starter.

Thompson was a first team all-district selection.

Markins — a 6-2 second team all-district pick — was named honorable mention All-Ohio as he averaged 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game. He shot 75 percent from the line and 35 percent from behind the arc.

Barnes eclipsed the 1,000-career point plateau as he averaged 17.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game. A second team all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio choice, Barnes shot 50.6 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from the 3-point line.

Mahlmeister put together an outstanding career for the Flyers as he was named second team All-Ohio and surpassed the 1,000-career point milestone.

A first team all-district pick, the 6-4 Mahlmeister average 18 points, 82 rebounds, 2.5 assists and had 2.0 steals. He shot 40 percent from the floor, 35 from the 3-point line and 80 from the foul line.

The 6-1 Rowe averaged a double-double for the Vikings as he was named second team all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio.

Rowe averaged 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds a game along with 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals. He shot an impressive 62 percent from the field.