Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It’s a simple process. You put the ball IN the basket.

Sounds simple, but getting the ball to fall was the problem for the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers in a 67-41 loss to the Pickerington Tigers Saturday at the Ironton Classic.

Ironton (4-6) consistently had open shots but failed to connect. The Lady Tigers were 13-of-48 for 27 percent including 1-of-7 from the 3-point line.

Conversely, Pickerington made 25-of-59 shots for 42.4 percent and 7-of-15 from behind the arc.

“We had shots and they are shots we can make. It was one of those days when the shots just wouldn’t drop,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

The biggest difference in shooting came in the second half. Ironton trailed just 23-19 at the break, but Pickerington hit 10-of-19 shots in the third quarter and 7-of-14 in the fourth quarter.

Ironton was only 7-of-24 from the floor in the second half.

Katrina Williams did most of the offensive work for Pickerington. Williams had a game-high 23 points as she made six 3-point shots — four in the second half. She had 15 of her points after the break.

“The Williams girl got hot and that got them going. A lot of times we lost where she was on the floor and she would get open and knock it down,” said Graham.

“But they’re a really good team. We had to be on top of our game in all phases to have a chance and we weren’t.”

Ironton tied the game 10-10 to start the second quarter on a layup by Lexie Barrier. Her layup with 2:57 left in the half got Ironton within 18-16.

Williams hit a 3-pointer to give Pickerington a 23-16 lead. Jordan Hannan made two foul shots and Alyssa Lewis added another and it was 23-19 at the half.

Williams and Barrier traded baskets to start the second half, but Allison Luther made a layup and Williams hit another triple and it was 30-21. A 3-point play by Luther opened up a 10-point lead.

Two foul shots by Barrier got Ironton within 35-27 with 4:22 on the clock, but Pickerington closed the quarter with an 11-3 run including another trey by Williams with four seconds left and it was 46-30.

Luther had a 3-point play with 2:01 to play that gave Pickerington its biggest lead at 65-34. Taylor Hannan then hit a trifecta and Jordan Hannan made two layups as Ironton battled until the end of the game.

Barrier led Ironton with 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Jordan Hannan had 10 points and Lewis six rebounds.

Pickerington (7-1) had three other players in double figures as Luther scored 13, Amari Hawkins 12 and Taylor Johnson 11.

Ironton will hosts Westfall on Monday, Dec. 20.

Pickerington 10 13 23 21 = 67

Ironton 8 11 11 11 = 41

PICKERINGTON (7-1): Katrina Willims 2 6 1-4 23, Amari Hawkins 4 0 4-5 12, Taylor Johnson 4 1 0-2 11, Samantha Grim 1 0 0-0 2, Allison Luther 5 0 3-3 13, Kiara Thomas 0 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Fee 0 0 0-0 0, Kennedi Jones 1 0 2-2 4, Alexa Blake 0 0 0-0 0, Paige 0 0 0-0 0, Amyrah Forte 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 25-59 10-16 67. 3-point goals: 7-15. 13. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 9-OR, 25-DR = 34 (Hawkins 6, Luther 5, Johnson 4). Team/deadball rebounds: 5. Assists: 3. Steals: 7 (Johnson 2, Luther 2). Turnovers: 4.

IRONTON (4-6): Jordan Hannan 2 0 6-6 10, Taylor Hannan 0 1 1-2 4, Lexie Barrier 6 0 4-4 16, Macy Wise 1 0 0-0 2, Cheyenne Scott 2 0 0-2 4, Alyssa Lewis 1 0 3-4 5. Totals: 13-48 14-18 41. 3-point goals: 1-7. Rebounds: 11-OR, 28-DR = 39 (Barrier 13, Lewis 6, Scott 5). Team/deadball rebounds: 6. Assists: 6 (J. Hannan 2). Turnovers: 14.