Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The Ironton Fighting Tigers developed a case of insomnia.

The “lull you to sleep” style of the Gallipolis Blue Devils didn’t work on Ironton as the Fighting Tigers’ offense woke up in the second quarter for 26 points to key a 65-36 romp on Tuesday.

Ironton had a 5-point lead after the first quarter, but outscored Gallipolis 26-9 in the second quarter to build a 38-16 cushion at the half.

“We played hard, but the thing I was most proud of was how we sustained our intensity throughout the game,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

“Gallipolis likes to slow the game down and make a lot of passes. They try to frustrate you. But we kept playing hard until we finally took off.”

Trey Fletcher had 21 points to lead Ironton (8-2). Zac Carter had 10 points and 5 assists and Trevor White 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Ironton took a 6-0 lead to start the game. Cody Call and Justin Bailey hit 3-pointers to get Gallipolis within 8-7, but Zac Carter’s 15-footer and a layup by Trevor White just before the buzzer put the Fighting Tigers up 12-7.

Ironton began to dominate in the second quarter. The Fighting Tigers hit 10 of 14 field goal attempts and forced six more turnovers after getting eight in the first quarter.

Gallipolis (4-7) trailed 21-16 after a layup by Aaron Jackson, but Ironton closed the quarter with 17 unanswered points to lead 38-16 at the half.

Trey Fletcher and Joe Bowling hit back-to-back trifectas in the run, Josh Glover got one of his five steals and made a layup and White put an exclamation point in the run as he came up with a steal and went half the length of the floor for a dunk. He was fouled on the play and hit the free throw for a 3-point play.

The defense limited the Blue Devils to 3 of 16 shooting in the third quarter. Ironton finished the quarter with an 8-0 run capped by Glover’s steal and layup.

LaFon emptied his bench starting the fourth quarter. A layup by Trevor Easterling, a trey by Tristan Cox and Nate Garred’s 12-foot runner in the lane gave Ironton its biggest lead of the game at 63-30 with 2:34 to play.

Justin Bailey had 10 points for Gallipolis.

Ironton plays at Peebles on Saturday.

Gallipolis 7 9 7 13 = 36

Ironton 12 26 16 11 = 65

GALLIPOLIS (4-7): Reid Eastman 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Call 1 1 0-0 5, Justin Bailey 3 1 1-2 10, Wade Jarrell 0 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Clagg 0 0 2-4 2, Nick Clagg 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Jackson 1 2 0-0 8, Seth Adkins 0 1 -0 3, Alex White 1 0 1-2 3, Wes Jarrell 2 0 1-2 5. Totals: 13-41 5-10 36. 3-point goals: 5-15. Rebounds: 12-12=24 (Bailey 4, Call 4, J. Clagg 4). Team rebounds: 5. Assists: 5 (Eastman 3). Steals; 6 (W. Jarrell 2). Turnovers: 22. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: J. Clagg (4th 3:20).

IRONTON (8-2): Zac Crter 3 0 4-4 10, Josh Glover 4 0 0-0 8, Trevor White 3 0 1-1 7, Trey Fletcher 8 1 2-6 21, Darrius Boykin 0 1 0-0 3, Aaron Stephens 0 0 0-0 0, Tristan Cox 0 1 0-0 3, Joe Bowling 0 1 0-0 3, Nate Garred 2 0 0-0 4, Trevor Easterling 1 0 0-0 2, Isaac Sherman 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 27-45 7-11 65. 3-point goals: 4-12. Rebounds: 7-19=26 (White 8, Fletcher 4, Bowling 3). Team rebounds: 1. Assists: 9 (Carter 5). Steals: 13 (Glover 5, Fletcher 3). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.