Strong finish gives Ironton 70-61 win over Gallia

[jottings]

Visiting Gallipolis Gallia Academy battled back from a 40-26 deficit with 7:12 left in the third period to take a 46-44 lead over league-leading Ironton with 1:55 left in the quarter (a 20-4 run by the Blue Devils) and the score was tied 50-50 with 6:10 remaining in the game, but 6-4 freshman forward Trey Fletcher rescued the Fighting Tigers and gave Ironton a hard-fought 70-61 victory over the Gallia Countains.

The big freshman scored five layups in the fourth period for 10 points, but six of those points were scored within a two-minute span (5:48 to 3:23) as the Tigers blanked GAHS 13-0 and took a 59-50 lead, then went on to post their 13th win against two setbacks overall and maintained their two-game lead in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League standings with a perfect 10-0 record.

Gallipolis fell to 6-8 on the year and 3-7 in SEOAL play.

Gallipolis had no answer for Ironton’s Tim Kochendorfer as the 6-3 senior guard ripped the cords for 34 points and pulled down nine of Ironton's 27 rebounds. He also had three assists and two steals as Ironton won the season series for the fourth straight year.

With the victory, Ironton took another giant step toward for its 5th SEOAL hardwood title, and first in 30 years (1979-80 campaign).

Gallipolis led 18-16 after one period, but Ironton took a 37-26 halftime lead. Ironton was on top 48-46 going into the final quarter.

For Gallipolis, John Troester was the big gun with 20 points and nine of the Blue Devils 20 rebounds. He also had three assists and one steal.

Nick Mitchell finished the game with 16 points and Ethan Moore tallied 13. Senior guard Jordan Cornwell scored eight points before leaving the game with a leg injury at the 3:49 mark in the final quarter.

Besides Kochendorfer and Fletcher’s scoring, J. P. Taylor added 10 points and Gallia native Travis Elliott seven markers for the I-Tigers.

Gallipolis shot 42.3 percent from the field by sinking 22 of 52 field goal attempts. The Blue Devils were 11 of 28 treys for 38.2 percent and canned six of nine charity tosses for 66 percent.

Gallipolis had 12 assists, four by Cornwell, eight steals, three by Chuck Calvart, and finished the game with just 10 turnovers, none in the first period. Gallipolis committed 18 personal fouls.

Ironton connected on 26 of 44 field goal attempts for 59 percent. IHS was six of nine behind the arc for 66.6 percent. At the line, Ironton was 12 of 18 for 66.6 percent. The Tigers had 20 assists, 11 by Malcolm Morton, and two steals. Ironton had 11 personals and just 12 turnovers.

Gallipolis will return home Friday with a tripleheader against Chillicothe, then host Wheelersburg in a non-league game on Saturday. Ironton will host Jackson Friday.

In Friday’s freshman game, Gallipolis posted a 35-28 win over Ironton to improve its season record to 10-5. Ironton dropped to 5-3 on the year.

Gallipolis led 13-10 after one period, but trailed 20-13 at halftime after being shut out in the second quarter. GAHS outscored the Tiger yearlings 16-6 in the third period to take a 29-26 lead into the final period.

Justin Bailey led Gallipolis with 12 points. Nick Clagg added 11 and T. J. McCalla six. Josh Glover led Ironton with eight points.

In the reserve game, Ironton posted a 43-33 victory over the Blue Imps. Ironton led 9-7, 27-13 and 32-20 at the quartermarks.

Dew Young led Gallipolis with 10 points. Nick Saunders added eight and Cody Billings seven. Josh Glover led Ironton with 12 points. Chris Stewart had 11 and Nolan Johnson 10.

Gallipolis dropped to 6-8 on the year and 3-7 in league play, Ironton improved to 8-6 overall and 7-3 in league action.

Varsity box score:
GALLIPOLIS (61) –Corey Eberhard, 0-0-0-0; Jordan Cornwell, 1(2)-0-0-8; Ethan Moore, 2-(3)-0-0-13; Nate Allison, 0-0-0-0; Nick Mitchell, 5-(2)-0-0-16; Chuck Calvart, 0-0-2-0; Austin Wilson, 0-2-2-2; Jarod Golden, 0-2-2-2; Bryce Amos, 0-0-0-0; John Troester, 3-(4)-2-3-20. TOTALS 11-(11)-6-9-61.

IRONTON (70) – Malcom Morton, 1-1-1-3; Travis Elliott, 3-1-2-7; Tim Kochendoerfer, 5-(5)-9-12-34; J. P. Taylor, 3-(1)-1-1-10; Josh Murphy, 0-0-0-0; Erin Edens, 2-0-0-4; Trey Fletcher, 6-0-1-12. TOTALS 20-(6)-12-17-70.

Score by quarters:

Gallipolis…18 8 20 15 -- 61
Ironton……16 21 11 22 -- 70
Reserve score—Ironton 43 Gallipolis 33
Freshman score—Gallipolis 35 Ironton 28.

[GalliaGrad78]

Good showing by the Devils. Hope the injury to Cornwell isn't serious, good to see Mitchell in the box score. Good Job by all!

[BBallin fool]

Might make a run when T-Time comes around!!!

[Rebels on 3]

GAHS is a better team now that Mitchell is back.

[pembrook burrows III]

Impressive showing by the Gallians last night. The Devils have decent size, and they shot the ball extremely well, drilling 11 3-pointers. Good luch the rest of the way and in the tourney. Coach Osborne has to be excited about this group.

Koch was a stud. Guys who can score 34 and not look like they are forcing up shots all night are few and far between. Very efficient effort.

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

"Ironton survives subpar game to beat Gallipolis"

http://www.irontontribune.com/news/2010 ... hrough-it/

[Burg_Grad_77]

I bet the Burg is really wishing Kochendorfer had never left.

[BubbleGumTiger]

Jottings has to be the best napkin stat keeper around.......after talking with him and GAHS before and after the game I am convinced of their loyalty to the athletic program in the French City.........too bad they couldnt break bread before the game and chat awhile but there will always be next year.......

[biggdowgg]

I bet the Burg is really wishing Kochendorfer had never left.

I did not know he was even from Burg, that was a big loss.

[ohbuckeye2]

I bet the Burg is really wishing Kochendorfer had never left.

Don't worry he'll be back at Burg the 16th of Feb