Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ASHLAND, Ky. — And you thought the Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot contest was a few weeks ago.

The Lewis County Lions shot more free throws than field goal attempts as they beat the Ironton Fighting Tigers 69-55 Saturday in the consolation round of the Ashland Invitational Tournament.

The Lions were 17-of-43 from the field and 30-of-46 from the foul line. The FIghitng Tigers made more field goal as they hit 22-of-50 shots but were just 7-of-14 from the line.

Ironton coach Mark LaFon tried to shrug off the disparity in fouls.

“Things aren’t going our way right now, but we have to create our own luck,” said LaFon. “Lewis County went to the line a lot, but they had to hit the shots and they did so give them credit.”

Ironton (0-8) was whistled for 33 fouls to 15 for the Lions.

Ironton (0-8) plays Fleming County at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the final game of the AIT.

Tristan Cox had 16 points to lead Ironton before fouling out. Nate Garred had 12 points before he fouled out and Marques Davis scored 10 points in his first career start.

Joe Matkins had six rebounds while Desmond Young and Cox had five each.

Brett Ruckel led Lewis County (5-6) with a game-high 26 points including four 3-pointers and 10-of-11 at the foul line.

Trenton Walker had 12 points and Wade Adams added 11.

Lewis County opened up a 14-4 lead midway through the first quarter before two baskets by Garred cut the deficit to 14-8.

A layup by Young had Ironton down 18-12 at the end of the quarter.

Cox drained a 3-pointer to get Ironton within 20-19 and Richard Crockrel’s triple put Ironton up 22-21.

Two free throws by Garred with 56 seconds left in the half gave Ironton its last lead at 26-24. Ruckel converted a 3-pointer play and Jordan McCann made a foul shot to put the Lions up 28-26 at the break.

With the help of a few questionable calls and a technical foul on LaFon, Lewis County went on an 11-0 run to start the second half and it was 39-26 at the 3:20 mark.

Cox scored at the 2:32 mark to and it was 39-28, but the Fighting Tigers managed just five points in the quarter and trailed 49-31.

Ironton did battle back and cut the deficit to 63-52 with 1:30 left after a 3-pointer by Davis and a layup by Garred, but the Lions were 6-of-8 the rest of the way to secure the win.

Lewis County was 21-of-28 from the line in the second half.

“I’m not big on moral victories, but I challenged them in the fourth quarter. I asked them to play hard and to play through it and they did that,” said LaFon.

Ironton 12 14 5 24 = 55

Lewis Co. 18 10 21 20 = 69

IRONTON (0-8): Tristan Cox 5 1 3-7 16, Richard Crockrel 0 2 0-0 6, Desmond Young 2 0 0-0 4, Isaac Sherman 1 0 0-0 2, Marques Davis 3 1 1-3 10, Nate Garred 5 0 2-2 12, Lucas Campbell 1 0 0-0 2, Charles Scott 0 0 0-0 0, Hunter Klaiber 0 0 0-0 0, Joe Matkins 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 22-54 7-14 55. 3-point goals: 4-9. Rebounds: 14-OR, 16-DR = 30 (Matkins 6, Young 5, Cox 5). Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 33. Fouled out: Young (4th 2:58), Garred (4th 1:29), Cox (4th 1:22).

LEWIS COUNTY (5-6): Brett RUckel 2 4 10-11 26, Wade Adams 2 0 7-9 11, Isaac Weddington 3 9 1-2 7, Trenton Walker 3 0 6-9 12, Daulton Mason 0 0 0-0 0, Jake Parker 0 1 0-0 3, Sammy Holder 0 0 3-5 3, Devon Duncan 0 0 0-0 0, Hunter Zornes 0 0 0-0 0, Gage Kiebler 0 0 0-4 0, Titus LeMaster 0 0 0-2 0, Jordan Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan McCann 2 0 3-4 7, Jacob Kiebler 0 0 0-0 0, Jeremy McCann 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-43 30-46 69. 3-point goals: 5-17. Rebounds: 14-OR, 14-DR = 28 (Ruckel 5). Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.