While the shots kept bombing in from way outside, Ironton coach Roger Zornes couldn't help but focus his attention inside.

The Wheelersburg Pirates and Ironton Fighting Tigers each hit nine 3-pointers in Tuesday's game, but Zornes said the difference in the game was inside.

The Pirates did a better job scoring from inside as they held on to edge the Fighting Tigers 62-59

Tuesday.

"I thought we got whipped on the inside," coach Zornes said. "They got the loose balls and took the ball to us. This goes to prove what we told them. You've got to come ready to play."

Wheelersburg (11-4) came out hot and never cooled down. The Pirates not only made 24 of 39 shots from the field for 61.5 percent, they hit their first six 3-point attempts and were 9 of 14 for the game from behind the arc.

Ironton (12-3) shot well, too. The Fighting Tigers were 23 of 40 for 57.5 percent and connected on 9 of 16 treys.

All the strong shooting didn't impress Zornes.

"Championships are won by teams that play defense," coach Zornes said. "I've won a few championships and defenses is what wins championships. You have to have good, strong fundamentals, play together, execute and play consistent."

Ironton

had three players in double figures. Derique Bacon had 14 points, Josh Sands 13, Joe Zornes 10 and Dennis Gagai 9.

Matt Weaver scored 20 points and Chris Webb 19 to lead the Pirates.

Wheelersburg used 5 of 5 shooting from 3-point range to lead 23-14 at the end of the first quarter, but 3-pointers from Josh Sands, Joe Zornes and Dennis Gagai helped Ironton get within 34-29 at the half.

Ironton continued to chip away at the lead in the third quarter. Derique Bacon followed up a missed shot with 2:20 left on the clock to make it 44-42 and Nick Collins took a pass from Kevin Williams to make a layup and tie the game at 46-46.

Weaver and Sands traded 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter and Gagai hit a 3-pointer to give Ironton its first lead at 52-49 with 5:42 to play. Gagai then converted a 3-point play and Ironton held a 55-49 lad.

"We get a six-point lead and then we stop executing. If we don't execute and play consistent, we'll be an average team," coach Zornes said.

Weaver made a 15-footer, Webb converted a 3-point play and Zach Pollard's layup with 1:05 left gave the Pirates a 58-55 lead.

The teams traded free throws and then Brigham Waginger hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds to play to get Ironton within 60-59. Weaver sank both ends of a one-and-one with 10 seconds left and it was 62-59.

The Fighting Tigers missed a 3-point attempt and the Pirates rebounded to virtually settle the outcome.

In the reserve game, Ironton (14-1) routed the Pirates 47-18 as Brent McBride scored 11 and Steve Elswick 8.

Wheelersburg23111216--62

Ironton14151713--59

WHEELERSBURG (11-4):

Nick Carrington 2-3 (0-0) 0-0 4, Matt Weaver 7-11 (4-6) 2-2 20, Chris Webb 7-14 (2-4) 3-8 19, Jacob Wesney 3-5 (2-3) 0-0 8, Zach Pollard 3-4 (1-1) 0-2 7, Cory Chamberlin 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Aaron Bailey 0-0 (0-0) 0-0

0, Matt Ross 2-2 (0-0) 0-0 4. Totals: 24-39

(9-14)

5-12

62. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 3-11=14 (Weaver 4, Pollard 4). Team/deadball rebounds: 3. Assists: 10 (Weaver 3, Webb 3). Steals: 6 (Webb 3). Turnovers: 13. FG% – 61.5. FT% – 41.7. 3pt% – 64.3.

IRONTON (12-3):

Josh Sands 5-9 (3-4) 0-0 13, Brigham Waginger 3-5 (1-3) 0-0 7, Joe Zornes 3-5 (3-4) 1-2 10, Derique Bacon 6-8 (0-0) 2-2 14, Patrick Kouns 1-1 (0-0) 0-0 2, Dennis Gagai 3-7 (2-2) 1-1 9, Nick Collins 2-3 (0-0) 0-0 4, Kevin Williams 0-2 (0-2) 0-0 0. Totals: 23-40

(9-16)

3-4

59. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 5-14=19 (Bacon 5, Collins 3, Zornes 3, Waginger 3). Team/deadball rebounds: 1. Assists: 13 (Waginger 7). Steals: 6 (Waginger 3, Collins 2). Turnovers: 14. FG% – 57.5. FT% – 75.0. 3pt% – 56.3.