Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ironton coach Mark LaFon wasn’t just doing his Lou Holtz impersonation.
LaFon said prior to Tuesday’s game that the Capital Cougars were the best team Ironton had faced this season.
The Class AAA No. 1-ranked team lived up to its billing with a 92-62 win over the Fighting Tigers on Tuesday.
“We played hard. I can’t fault our effort,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.
“Capital is very athletic and very talented. They hurt us on the boards.
Ironton was plagued by foul trouble in the first half and 25 turnovers for the game.
Ironton (11-9) held its own for about two and a half quarters before Capital began to pull away.
One of the reasons Ironton was able to stay in the game was sophomore point guard Ethan Wilson who scored all 17 of his points in the first half including a pair of 3-point goals.
Ryan Bryant finished with 14 points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 3:36 to play while Andrew Scott added 10 points and eight rebounds for Ironton.
Capital was led by Leondre Rodgers with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. Anthony Dean had 18 points and six rebounds while Calvin Wilder added eight points and hauled down 15 rebounds as the Cougars out-rebounded Ironton 40-28.
The Fighting Tigers trailed just 26-20 after the first quarter and the Cougars lead was 45-35 at the half.
Capital outscored Ironton 22-15 in the third quarter to lead 67-50 and continued to pull away in the fourth quarter.
Ironton plays at Coal Grove on Friday in the regular season finale.
Ironton       20    15    15    12    =    62
Capital      26    19    22    23    =    92
IRONTON (11-9): Ethan Wilson 4 2 3-5 17, Andrew Scott 4 0 2-2 10, Kyle Adkins 1 0 2-2 4, Raphael Glover 2 0 2-2 6, Ryan Bryant 5 0 4-4 14, Jordan Grizzle 0 0 0-0 0, Joel Blankenship 3 0 0-0 6, Ryan Payne 0 0 0-0 0, Jourdyn Barrow 1 0 1-2 3, Trevor Hacker 0 0 0-0 0, Hunter Humphreys 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 23-46 14-17 62. 3-point goals: 2-9. Rebounds: 5-O, 23-D = 28 (Bryant 9, Scott 8). Assists: 12 (Scott 3, Bryant 3). Steals: 5 (Wilson 2). Turnovers: 25. Blocked shots: 2 (Glover, Adkins). Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Bryant (4th 3:36).
CAPITAL (16-4): Kerry Martin 1 0 1-2 3, Calvin Wilder 3 0 2-2 8, Leondre Rodgers 6 0 9-12 21, Jabbar Thompson 0 1 0-0 3, Anthony Pittman 3 1 2-2 11, Nasir Harris 1 0 0-0 2, Tevin Pinket 0 3 0-0 9, Jay Fannin 2 0 0-0 4, J.J. Figures 1 0 0-0 2, Dorian Etheridge 3 0 1-2 7, Anthony Dean 8 0 2-4 18, Kerion Martin 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 34-78 17-24 92. 3-point goals: 5-22. Rebounds: 22-O, 18-D = 40 (Wilder 15, Rodgers 7, Dean 6). Assists: 14 (Rodgers 6). Steals: 17 (Rodgers 5). Blocked shots: 3. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.