Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

And the gauntlet continues…
Ironton has played Fairland, Gallipolis and Ashland in succession. They followed that with the Columbus Whitehall Rams on Friday in the first day of The Classic.
The results were the same as Ironton lost 98-68.
Rico Bagley scored 26 points including four 3-pointers to lead the Rams. Roshean Bagley had 17 points, Tyjuan Childers added 13 points and Martez Johnson 10.
The Rams shot 40-of-65 from the field for 62 percent including 9-of-18 from the 3-point line. They also forced Ironton into 27 turnovers.
“Whitehall is a very good team. I knew going into the game we’d have to play a great game. But we have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.
“I expect us to play hard and they do play hard. We just have to find another level of hard.”
Despite the loss, freshman Reid Carrico had 23 points and nine rebounds. Ethan Wilson added 10 points for Ironton (1-5).
Ironton was 23-of-47 from the floor for 49 percent and 19-of-23 at the foul line.
“Carrico is only playing his fifth or sixth high school game against some very good competition and a lot bigger competition. He’s very coachable and he’s going to be a good player,” said LaFon.
Rico Bagley had two 3-pointers and scored 12 points as Whitehall took a 27-12 first quarter lead.
The Rams built a 33-15 lead to begin the second quarter. Ironton battled back on a pair of layups and two free throws by Carrico to cut the deficit to just 35-25.
A layup by Kyle Adkins had Ironton down 37-27 but the Rams went on an 8-0 run to end the half and it was 45-27 at the break.
Whitehall built a 54-33 lead only to have Carrico convert a three-point play, Joel Blankenship get a steal and layup and Wilson hit a jumper to close the gap to 54-40.
But the Rams used the scoring of Rosheam and Rico Bagley to open up a 66-45 lead. Trent Milleson and Carrico had layups to close the quarter and make it 66-49.
Carrico scored to start the fourth quarter but the Rams took over and surge ahead 78-51 to end any comeback hopes.
There are more tough games ahead for Ironton. The Fighting Tigers played Greenfield McClain on Saturday and host Huntington, WVa., on Thursday.
Whitehall    27    18    21    32    =    98
Ironton       12    15    22    19    =    68
COLUMBUS WHITEHALL (4-1): Roshean Bagley 5 1 4-6 17, Rico Bagley 7 4 0-0 26, Royal Sibley 3 0 2-5 8, Davius Butler 2 0 0-0 4, Taylon Cofer 3 1 0-0 9, Charles Miller 1 0 0-0 2, Martez Johnson 2 2 0-3 10, Michael Bivens 0 0 0-0 0, J.V. Hoover 1 0 0-0 2, Manny Hilton 0 0 0-0 0, Amir Dallas 1 1 0-0 5, Jonathan Walker 1 0 0-0 2, Jaion Love 0 0 0-0 0, Tyjuan Childers 5 0 3-3 13. Totals: 40-65 6-17 98. 3-pt goals: 9-18. Rebounds: 9-O, 12-D = 21 (Childers 5, Johnson 4, Ri. Bagley 4). Assists: 17 (Cofer 5, Johnson 4). Steals: 14 (Cofer 3, Ri. Bagley 3, Ro. Bagley 3). Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.
IRONTON (1-5): Ethan Wilson 4 0 2-2 10, Joel Blankenship 1 0 5-6 7, Reid Carrico 8 0 7-7 23, Kyle Adkins 2 1 0-0 7, Hunter Humphreys 0 0 0-0 0, Charlie Large 2 0 1-2 5, Ayden Barnes 0 2 1-2 7, Trent Milleson 2 0 1-2 5, Collin Freeman 0 0 2-2 2, Ethan Adkins 1 0 0-0 2, Ryan Payne 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-47 19-23 68. 3-pt goals: 3-12. Rebounds: 11-O, 19-D = 30 (Carrico 9, K. Adkins 6). Assists: 9 (Wilson 4). Steals: 8 (Wilson 2). Turnovers:  27. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.