Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Freshman Lexi Barrier’s first varsity game didn’t begin the way she might have imaged, but it ended better than she could have ever dreams.

Sitting out much of the game in foul trouble, Barrier hit a 15-footer with one second left to lift the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers to a 57-55 win over the River Valley Lady Raiders on Monday in the season opener.

Barrier also hit a 3-pointer that tied the game and set up her own game-winning shot.

“I was nervous, but we needed a three and I needed to do it because we were down by five and I was feeling it,” said Barrier. “(On the winning shot) it was a set play and we just lined up and I ran to get open.”

River Valley led 55-50 with 2:16 left on a layup by Chelsey Copley and a free throw by Rachael Smith.

The Lady Raiders got the ball back after a missed shot by Ironton, but Lexie Washington’s steal and layup cut the deficit to 55-52 with 1:20 to go.

The Lady Raiders missed two free throws with 53 seconds left and Barrier drained a 3-pointer with 42 seconds left and it was 55-55.

River Valley missed two more foul shots but Ironton was guilty of a turnover. However, the inbounds pass was tipped and Washington came up with another steal with five seconds left.

Ironton set up the final play and Barrier buried the 15-footer just before time ran out.

“There were a lot of things we didn’t do well but a win is a win and we’ll take it,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

Although the Lady Raiders missed four foul shots in the final minute, it was their free throw shooting that kept them in the game, converting 22 of 29 for the game.

Ironton’s defense forced River Valley into 28 turnovers including 18 in the first half. The Lady Tigers failed to take advantage of the turnovers — they had 18 steals — because they connected on just 24 of 67 shots for 36 percent.

“We did play pretty good defense and force some turnovers, but we missed a lot of shots, especially inside. We have to get better,” said Graham.

Neither teams led by more than six points. Ironton’s biggest lead was 14-8 on two fouls shots by Ariel Schweickart with 2:01 left in the first quarter and 46-40 on a 3-pointer by Alicia Murphy with 6:02 to play. River Valley’s biggest lead was 55-50.

Barrier had 13 points, Schweickart 10 points and Washington 12 points and 8 rebounds.

Lexi Moore had 18 points and Cady Gilmore 15 to lead River Valley.

Ironton plays at Rock Hill on Thursday.

River Valley 15 11 12 17 = 55

Ironton 16 8 15 18 = 57

RIVER VALLEY (0-1): Chelsey Copley 2 1 1-4 8, Shalin Comer 0 1 0-0 3, Shelby Brown 1 0 7-8 9, Cady Gilmore 2 1 8-10 15, Lexi Moore 7 0 4-4 18, Justyce Stout 0 0 1-2 1, Rachael Smith 0 0 1-1 1. Totals: 15-41 22-29 55. 3-point goals: 3-11. Rebounds: 12-28=40 (Moore 10, Brown 8). Team rebounds: 7. Assists: 6 (Brown 2, Gilmore 2). Steals: 5 (Gilmore 2). Turnovers: 28. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (1-0): Lexie Washington 6 0 0-3 12, Lexi Barrier 4 1 2-2 13, Ariel Schweickart 4 0 2-2 10, Karlee McMackin 1 0 0-0 2, Macy Wise 2 0 1-2 5, Alicia Murphy 1 1 0-0 5, Jordan Leach 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Hannan 2 1 1-2 8, Alana Martin 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 24-67 6-11 57. 3-point goals: 3-16. Rebounds: 17-18=35 (Washington 8, Martin 5, Barrier 5). Team rebounds: 7. Assists: 10 (McMackin 3, Schweickart 3). Steals: 18 (Washington 5, McMackin 3). Turnovers: 16. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Schweickart (4th 2:16).