Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

ASHLAND, Ky. — In the baseball movie “Rookie of the Year,” pitcher Chet “Rocket” Steadman went to the mound to talk with 12-year-old pitching sensation but rattled Henry Rowengartner.
Steadman told Henry he needed the “have to,” much to the dismay of Henry and Steadman as well.
But Henry settled down and got the job done.
Fast-forward to Thursday night and the real-life game between the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers and Ashland Kittens.
Coach Doug Graham talked about the “want to” that his team showed in getting the job done and cruising past the Kittens 53-25.
“Defensively we played really well. We held them to seven points in a half. I’m super proud of those girls,” said Graham. “Defense is a little bit of technique but a lot of desire and want to.”
Ironton’s defense held Ashland to just seven points in the first half — none in the second quarter.
The Kittens got a basket by Morgan Bradley at the 1:11 mark of the first quarter and didn’t score again until A.J. Johnson had a put-back with 5:23 on the third quarter clock.
Graham was impressed with the 11-minute, 48-second shutout span.
“When you do that, I don’t care who you’re playing, teams will score. Ashland has some shooters. They scored 75 on Monday night. Defense is a ‘want to’ and the girls wanted to,” said Graham.
Ironton (4-1) was led by Sydney Webb and Lexie Arden with 13 points each while Alyssa Lewis scored 11. Arden had 7 rebounds, Webb and Taiya Hamlet had 5 each and Lydia Hannan had 6 points and 6 rebounds.
“I thought we got some good looks, especially in the second, third and fourth quarters. It was the different facets: catch, face, skips, ball reversal, high-low, things like that,” said Graham.
Julia Parker scored 9 points for Ashland (2-5).
Parker hit a 3-pointer to begin the game and give Ashland its only lead.
Ironton went on an 11-0 run and Arden’s triple with one minute left in the quarter made it 20-7.
It was all Ironton the rest of the half. Riley Schreck hit a baseline shot, a steal by Arden led to a layup by Webb, Arden sank a foul shot, Webb knocked down an 8-footer and a layup to end the half and make it 29-7.
After Johnson ended Ashland’s scoreless streak, Webb drained a trifecta and Lewis converted a 3-point play. Two foul shots by Lexi Wise ended the quarter with the Lady Tigers up 43-10 for their biggest lead.
Ironton hosts Rock Hill in a league game on Monday.
Ironton       20    9    14    10    =    53
Ashland     7    0    3    15    =    25
IRONTON (4-1): Sydney Webb 5 1 0-0 13, Lexi Wise 1 0 2-8 4, Alyssa Lewis 5 0 1-1 11, Lydia Hannan 3 0 0-0 6, Lexie Arden 2 2 3-4 13, Taiya Hamlet 0 0 0-0 0, Riley Schreck 11 0 0-0 2, Haylee Stevens 2 0 0-0 4, Katie Boyer 0 0 0-0 0, Elli Williams 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-52 6-13 53. 3-point goals: 3-12. Rebounds: 9-O, 24-D = 33 (Arden 7, Hannan 6, Webb 5, Hamlet 5). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 8 (Arden 4). Steals: 12 (Wise 4, Arden 3, Webb 2). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.
ASHLAND (2-4): Julia Parker 1 1 4-4 9, Emma Fulton 0 0 0-0 0, Miranda Martin 1 1 0-0 5, A.J. Johnson 1 0 1-2 3, Sarah Rymer 0 1 0-0 3, Morgan Bradley 1 0 0-0 2, Savannah Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Myrna Hill 0 0 0-0 0, Jada Miller 0 1 0-0 3. Totals: 8-50 5-6 25. 3-point goals: 4-21. Rebounds: 13-O, 24-D = Johnson 6, Parker 5, Bradley 5). Team/deadball rebounds: 5. Assists: 3. Steals: 5 (Bradley 2). Turnovers: 20. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.