Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Ironton coach Mark LaFon wants his team to get “board” with winning.

Ironton dominated the glass by outrebounding Columbus Eastmoor 34-18 as the Fighting Tigers handled the Warriors 70-61 Saturday in the final game of the fifth annual Ironton Classic.

“When we rebound like that, we’re not going to lose many games,” said LaFon. “We’re capable of doing that any night. We just have to be consistent and play good, fundamental basketball.”

Trevor White pulled down 12 rebounds as Ironton wiped the glass squeaky clean. Aaron Stephens and Trey Fletcher grabbed 7 each.

Zac Carter had 26 points and 5 assists to lead Ironton (5-0) while Fletcher scored 24 points.

Jahmal Hughes hit seven deep 3-pointers and scored 29 points. John Draper had 28 points including four triples. The Warriors were 11 of 18 from behind the arc.

“We actually played good defense, but they shot their 3s from so far out it’s hard to do anything about that,” said LaFon.

The final score was not indicative of Ironton’s dominance. The Fighting Tigers led by as many as 24 points before a late run by the Warriors against Ironton’s reserves narrowed the final score.

Fletcher staked Ironton to a 5-0 lead. He teamed with Carter to give Ironton a 13-6 lead at the end of the quarter.

The duo combined for 14 points in the second quarter as Ironton pulled away to a 29-18 halftime lead.

White had a put-back to start the second half but Hughes answered with a 3-pointer and it was 31-21.

The Fighting Tigers then scored 10 unanswered points with White finishes the run and the lead was 41-21.

Ironton took its biggest lead at 48-24 as Fletcher hit a trifecta and Josh Glover and Carter made layups.

Leading 54-38 heading into the fourth quarter, Ironton pulled away to a 66-42 lead when Stephens followed up a missed shot with 2:55 to play and the Fighting Tigers’ reserves took over at that point.

Ironton will now play in Junior Orange Bowl Basketball Classic in Miami, Fla., Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The games will be held at Ronald Reagan/Doral High School.

Eastmoor 6 12 20 23 = 61

Ironton 13 16 25 16 = 70

COLUMBUS EASTMOOR (4-4): Xavier Holston-Sims 1 0 0-0 2, John Draper 6 4 4-6 28, Lavoris Brown 0 0 0-0 0, Shamonti Manning 1 0 0-2 2, Jahmal Hughes 7 2 4-4 29, Lawrence Dailey 0 0 0-0 0, Elijah Barber 0 0 0-0 0, DeQuan Daniels 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-48 8-12 61. 3-point goals: 11-18. Rebounds: 8-10=18 (Draper 5, Manning 5). Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (5-0): Zac Carter 10 0 6-8 26, Josh Glover 1 0 0-0 2, Trevor White 4 0 0-0 8, Trey Fletcher 8 2 2-3 24, Aaron Stephens 1 0 0-0 2, Joe Bowling 0 0 2-2 2, Tristan Cox 1 0 0-1 2, Darrius Boykin 2 0 0-0 4, Nate Garred 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Sherman 0 0 0-0 0, Trevor Easterling 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 29-50 10-14 70. 3-point goals: 2-8. Rebounds: 14-20=34 (White 12, Stephens 7, Fletcher 7). Assists: 7 (Carter 5). Steals: 3. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.