Tigers lose heartbreaker to Tornadoes, finish season

ATHENS — Someone check those rims for plexiglass.

Maybe there wasn’t anything blocking the basket, but something wasn’t going right for the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

Having shot the ball well in three trips to the Ohio University Convocation Center, nothing seemed to fall on Saturday as Ironton lost a heartbreaker 45-42 to the West Muskingum Tornadoes in the Division 5 regional championship game.

The Fighting Tigers had little problem with their shooting in three tournament wins at the Convo, but they shot just 17-of-58 from the field for 29 percent that include 6-of-26 from behind the 3-point.

As for the Tornadoes, they were 19-of-38 from the field for 50 percent including 4-of-13 from the arc.

“You can’t shoot 29 percent and expect to win a basketball game. It’s unfortunate. We’ve been on the other side of that for a lot this season. We have to understand that it wasn’t meant to be today,” said Ironton coach Drew Stevens.

The tough loss left Ironton on the doorstep of the program’s fourth trip to the Final Four. Enjoying the deepest run in the postseason tournament since 2013, Ironton finished 23-3, tied for the second most wins in a season with the 2012-13 team which also went 23-3. The 2004-05 team was 26-1 and state runners-up.

West Muskingum (23-5) was playing in its first regional final since 1990.

“What this team has done for not only basketball but for Ironton is amazing. We wanted to go farther, but I couldn’t have asked anymore from these kids. The way they played all season has been amazing,” said Stevens.

“The ball just didn’t roll that way tonight. I told them if this is the worst thing that ever happens to them then they’re doing okay. There’s nothing you can say at this moment to make anyone feel better.”

“We dug ourselves a hole and could never get back. We had opportunities in the second half and shots that normally are going weren’t going,” said Stevens. “But they won. Congratulations.”

Stevens says good-bye to a senior class that he began his coaching career with as seventh graders. He was emotional about his relationship with seniors Maddix Markel, Zayne Williams, Braydon Baker, Carson Blankenship, Carson Freeman and Dawson Philyaw.

“This senior class is my family. I love them. I’ve had them from seventh grade until now and it’s been amazing. I don’t know if I would be coaching if I didn’t coach those guys first,” said Stevens. “To be 46 years old and to come to practice everyday with these kids is a blessing to me.”

Layne posted a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Mullins 13 points including four 3-pointers. Morrison scored 15 points and Kyle Porter 10 to pace West Muskingum.

W. Muskingum 12 15 10 8 = 45

Ironton 8 13 13 8 = 42

WEST MUSKINGUM (23-5): Cade Porter 2-3 1-2 0-0 7, Kyle Porter 3-6 1-2 1-2 10, Tavin Bennett 3-7 0-4 1-2 7, Noah Morrison 4-6 2-4 1-6 15, Carter Smith 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Gray Knowlton 3-4 0-1 0-0 6, Preston Farrell 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-38 3-10 45. 3-pt goals: 4-13. Rebounds: O-2 D-24  26 (Smith 6, Morrison 5). Assists: 4 (K. Porter 2). Steals: 7 (Bennett 2, Morrison 2). Blocks: 3 (K. Porter, Morrison, Smith) Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 5. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (23-3): Maddix Markel 2-8 0-3 0-0 4, Ashton Layne 9-17 1-1 1-1 22, Brycen Mullins 0-2 4-13 1-2 13, Carson Freeman 0-0 0-2 0-0 0, Kayden Edwards 0-3 0-0 0-0 0, Stephen Ison 0-2 1-7 0-0 3, Zayne Williams 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-58 2-3 42. 3-pt goals: 6-26. Rebounds: O-17 D-20 = 37 (Layne 14, Markel 7). Assists: 7 (Layne 4). Steals: 2 (Williams, Layne). Blocks: 1 (Layne). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.