Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

ASHLAND, Ky. — It was nice seeing offense over all four quarters. But coach Chris Barnes said his team has to do it on both ends of the court.
After the Flyers outscored the Rose Hill Royals 79-66 on Tuesday, Barnes was pleased with the offense but said the defense has to step it up.
“We had good, balanced scoring which is nice to see,” said Barnes. “Our defense was uninspired until the fourth quarter and then we turned it on. Rose Hill always shoots well in their gym.”
J.C. Damron scored a game-high 22 points to lead four players in double figures for the Flyers (10-10).
Zach Roach scored 19 points, Ryan Payne had 16 and Jimmy Mahlmeister netted 12.
Rose Hill (2-16) had four players in double figures led by Kenny Wilburn with 17. Seth Wirzfeld and Trey Phelps scored 13 each and Kai Coleman added 12.
Roach hit a 3-pointer and had 9 points, Damron scored 8 points while Matthew Sheridan and Payne each made a 3-pointer as the Flyers took a 23-18 lead.
Wilburn scored 7 points and Wirzfeld added 5 in the quarter.
Coleman had 8 points and Phelps scored 7 as the Royals rallied to take a 35-34 halftime lead. Payne and Mahlmeister scored 4 points each for the Flyers.
St. Joseph came out strong in the third quarter by taking a 56-50 as Damron scored 6 points, Payne and Roach 5 points each while Mahlmeister and Jackson Rowe hit 3-pointers.
Wilburn and Wirzfeld each hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points for the Royals.
Damron took charge with 8 points, Mahlmeister hit a trifecta and scored 5 points while Payne and Roach scored 4 each as the Flyers began to pull away.
Barnes said he was worried the Flyers would look past Rose Hill to Friday’s game when they host the Associated Press Division 4 No. 1-ranked New Boston Tigers.
“You have to take care of one game at a time. We will have to play four quarters hard on Friday if we want to have any chance against New Boston,” said Barnes.
St. Joseph 23 11 22 23 = 79
Rose Hill 18 17 15 16 = 66
ST. JOSEPH (13-4): Jackson Rowe 0 1 2-2 5, Matthew Sheridan 0 1 0-0 3, Zach Roach 6 1 4-6 19, Ryan Payne 4 2 2-4 16, J.C. Damron 11 0 0-3 22, Jared Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Mahlmeister 3 2 0-0 12. Totals: 25 7 8-15 79. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.
ROSE HILL (2-16): Trey Phelps 2 1 6-8 13, Seth Wirzfeld 2 3 0-0 13, Tate Sawyers 1 1 0-0 5, Chase Pennington 0 2 0-0 6, Kenny Wilburn 6 1 2-4 17, John Vanhoose 0 0 0-0 0, Kai Coleman 4 1 1-2 12. Totals: 15 9 9-14 66. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Wirzfeld.