Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SPRING VALLEY, W.Va. — Not even if you combined the physical therapists and chiropractors in Ironton could you have made as many adjustments as the Fighting Tigers.

The young and inexperienced Fighting Tigers were forced to make numerous adjustments and they did just that as they rolled past the Spring Valley Timberwolves 72-49 on Wednesday.

“We have so many new pieces. (Spring Valley) exposed our press and we had to make adjustments on how to rotate and how to start,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

“We had an awful good (third) quarter but we gave up 13 points. (The players) did make the adjustments at halftime and understood what we wanted to do.”

The adjustments produced plenty of results as Ironton improved to 2-0.

Phil Kratzenberg had 19 points to lead the offense. Marques Davis scored 16 points to go with four steals and Ethan Wilson had 10 points, five assists and three steals.

Tyler Webb cleaned the glass with 13 rebounds including eight on the offensive end. Ironton held a 34-23 rebounding advantage.

“(Webb) was the biggest and strongest on the floor today and he went out and did what he’s capable of doing. What a nice addition. He plays his guts out,” said LaFon. “When the game slows down for him, it’s going to be a dangerous thing for other teams. And he’s a good post passer.”

Stacey Chandler had 10 points to lead Spring Valley (0-1).

As for the third quarter, the Fighting Tigers were leading 32-25 at the half when they caught fire.

Chance Ballard made a layup for the T-Wolves to begin the half, but then Ironton went on a 10-4 run and it was 40-29. The Fighting Tigers followed that with an 18-7 run and the lead was 59-35.

Two free throws by Wilson and a layup by Davis closed the quarter and it was 62-38.

“(Spring Valley) likes to run and Davis did a good job knowing what they ran and getting up in those lanes,” said LaFon.

Ironton had a 12-6 lead to start the game before nine turnovers helped the T-Wolves rallied to within 14-13 at the end of the quarter.

Spring Valley held its only lead at 23-21, but Kratzenberg scored nine points including a 3-pointer just as Ironton closed the half with an 11-2 run.

Ironton visits Ashland, Ky., on Friday.

Ironton 14 18 30 10 = 72

Spring Valley 13 12 13 11 = 49

IRONTON (2-0): Phil Kratzenberg 5 2 3-5 19, Ethan Wilson 3 1 1-1 10, Marques Davis 6 1 1-4 16, Ryan Bryant 2 0 0-2 4, Tyler Webb 3 0 2-2 8, Desmond Young 3 0 0-1 6, Charlie Large 2 0 3-4 7, Hunter Humphreys 0 0 0-0 0, Kevin Davis 0 0 2-4 2, Hunter Klaiber 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 28-53 12-24 72. 3-point goals: 4-10. Rebounds: 17-O, 17-D = 34 (Webb 13, Young 5, Davis 4, Kratzenberg 4). Team rebounds: 3. Assists: 8 (Wilson 5, Young 2). Steals: 12 (Davis 4, Wilson 3). Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

SPRING VALLEY (0-1): Calvin Hinchman 1 1 0-0 5, Stacey Chandler 5 0 0-0 10, Derek Johnson 0 0 1-2 1, Damien McBride 4 0 0-0 8, Chance Ballard 2 0 0-0 4, Daniel Perry 0 0 0-0 0, Casey Hinchman 1 0 0-1 2, Carsey Wilder 2 0 0-0 4, Tre Maynard 1 0 0-0 2, Jacob Bailey 2 1 0-0 7, Caleb Fowler 0 0 0-0 0, Grayson Malashevich 1 1 0-0 5, Cleveland Wilder 0 0 1-2 1, Michael Meadows 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-47 2-5 49. 3-point goals: 3-12. Rebounds: 7-O, 16-D = 23 (Ballard 8). Team rebounds: 5. Assists: 5 (Cas. Hinchman 3). Steals: 5 (McBride 2). Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Stacey (4th 6:21).