MOWRYSVILLE -- Opening on the road with a strong team isn't an enviable task, but it proved to be no problem for the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers.

Ironton opened its season against the Whiteoak Ladycats and all-district standout Jackie Hawk. Instead of falling to the underdog role, Ironton surged to a 52-39 win.

"It was a good opening win. Whiteoak had a heck of a player in Hawk and we did a pretty good job defensively," Ironton first-year coach Amy Hughes said.

"They girls did a great job. Their attitude has been great and their work ethic has been great. They seem excited to play. And coach (Jeremy) Williams did a good job of coaching."

Sara Hacker had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Ironton. Candace Ferguson was next with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Ashley Hannon had 11 points and four steals.

"Ashley played great defense," Hughes said.

Ironton was ahead 11-10 after the first quarter and stretched the lead to 26-21 at the half.

The Lady Tigers outscored the Ladycats 15-9 the third quarter to open up a 41-30 cushion.

Hawk and Katie Wright had 13 points each to lead Whiteoak.

Ironton hosts Rock Hill Monday. The junior varsity game begins at 5:30 p.m.

In Friday's junior varsity game, Ironton won 20-19.

IRONTON (1-0): Andrea Rudmann 2 1 0-0 7, Maria Frazer 0 0 1-2 1, Ashley Hannon 2 1 4-4 11, Candace Ferguson 3

0

6-13 12, Sara Hacker 7 1 4-6 21, Rachel Wylie 0 0 0-0 0. Totals:

14

3

15-25

52. Rebounds: 28 (Hacker 11, Ferguson 7, Wylie 3, Hannon 1, Frazer 3, Rudmann 3). Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Ferguson, Rudmann.

WHITEOAK (0-1):

Jackie Hawk 2 1 6-6 13, Julie Smith 0 0 1-4 1, Katie Wright 3 1 4-6 13, Brooke Jolley 1 0 0-0 0 2, Jessica Llotton 2 1 3-4 10. Totals: 8

3

14-20

39. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None.