Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers are now 2-for-2.

Coupled with Fairland’s 56-51 upset loss to Gallipolis, the Lady Fighting Tigers clinched their second Ohio Valley Conference championship in as many years in the league by beating the South Point Lady Pointers 63-37 on Monday.

“Winning the league was the first goal we put on the board at the beginning of the year. This is a tough league from top to bottom so you have to be ready to play every game. The girls have worked hard and they’ve earned it,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

Ironton (18-0, 12-0) had three players in double figures as Lexia Barrier and Cheyenne Scott scored 12 points each and Lexie Wise had 11 points.

Graham pointed toward the play of D’Laynie Keith, Zakia Lee and Alyssa Lewis off the bench as a key.

“Our bench played its best game of the year. They gave us a spark,” said Graham.

“This group plays hard and they play off each other. There was a play in the third quarter when we were up 30 and Sydney Webb dove on the floor to save a ball from going out of bounds. That stuff is contagious.”

South Point (9-9, 7-5) was led by Kate Mundy with nine points.

After leading just 14-13 at the end of the first quarter, Ironton got seven points each by Barrier and Wise in the second quarter and built a 34-22 halftime lead.

Scott scored eight points in the third quarter as the lead grew to as many as 30 points including 57-27 at the end of the quarter as Graham began to empty his bench.

Ironton hosts Wheelersburg on Wednesday. On Thursday, South Point visits Rock Hill and Ironton entertains Coal Grove in league games.

Ironton 14 20 23 6 = 63

South Point 13 9 5 10 = 37

IRONTON (18-0, 12-0): Jordan Hannan 0 0 0-0 0, Lexie Wise 5 0 1-2 11, D’Laynie Keith 3 0 0-0 6, Zakia Lee 1 0 4-4 6, Lexie Barrier 4 1 1-2 12, Sydney Webb 1 2 0-2 8, Alyssa Lewis 3 0 0-0 6, Kaylin Easterling 0 0 2-4 2, Cheyenne Scott 3 2 0-0 12, Haylee Stevens 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Boyer 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 5 8-15 63. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH POINT (9-9, 7-5): Adara Deed 1 0 0-0 2, Kate Mundy 3 0 3-3 9, Brooklyn Badgett 0 0 5-8 5, Leah Lawson 0 0 2-2 2, Madison Kearns 3 0 0-0 6, Oliva Abner 2 0 0-0 4, Ashley Perkey 2 0 0-0 4, Abby Hannah 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 12 1 10-13 37. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.