Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — If there was a definition of a roller coaster-like game, Sunday night’s matchup between North Adams and Ironton would’ve defined it word-for-word.
North Adams (19-5) found itself up by as much as 18 points, only for Ironton to climb all the way back in the second half and force a tie ballgame.
However, the Devils hit their free throws down the stretch and got a big defensive stop at the end to cling to a district semifinal win, advancing back into a district final for a second straight year with a narrow 60-56 victory.
CREDIT: Erica Fike/SOSA
“It’s always nice playing [at the Convo], you always know it’s tourney time when you’re playing here,” North Adams’ Jayce Rothwell said. “Basketball is a game of runs. Each team is going to make one, and it’s just about how you respond.”
The Devils played from behind to start as Ironton got out to an early 10-5 lead. Following a timeout, however, North Adams embarked on an 8-0 run to put itself in front.
A turnaround jumper from Bransyn Copas just before the buzzer made it a 15-12 advantage after the opening frame.
North Adams carried the momentum into the second quarter and created even more separation. Highlighted by long-range connections from Copas, Breestin Schweickart and Connor Young, North Adams outscored Ironton by a 23-8 tally in the stanza, carrying a 38-20 lead into the intermission.
But despite taking a huge blow, the Tigers (17-8) still had plenty of fight left. They came out in the third quarter playing with their hair on fire.
A 10-2 run was capped by a one-handed slam from Ashton Layne, cutting the deficit to 10 at 40-30. Layne, in total, tallied 11 points in the quarter to help cut North Adams’ lead to 48-43 at the end of the third.
The Tigers continued to inch closer and closer in the fourth, cutting the deficit to as small as two with 4:24 left to play after a Braden Schreck basket. Then, with 2:56 left, Schreck went to the free throw line and sank two tries, making it 52-52.
That deadlock didn’t last long, however.
Rothwell drew a foul on the very next possession and knocked down both free throws, putting North Adams back up by two and, not to be outdone, Ironton’s Shaun Terry drove to the basket and finished, making it 54-54 with 1:47 left.
With the score again tied at 56-56, Rothwell got fouled with 16.2 seconds left. After he knocked them both down, Ironton had a chance to tie or take the lead.
However, the Devils’ defense stepped up and forced a turnover with 6.9 seconds left.
Carson Osborne then stepped to the charity stripe, looking to put the game on ice. He did just that with two swishes, putting the icing on the cake and sending the Devils back to the Convo.
“In the second half, we started to get too relaxed, which is something we need to work on,” Rothwell said. “If we get to a point where we aren’t having to respond and keep building on our lead, we’ll be in good shape.”
The Devils were led in scoring by Rothwell, who had a 17-point showing. Schweickart followed with 14 points, and Copas contributed 12. Carson Osborne also chipped in with 10 points of his own.
Ironton was led in scoring by Layne, who had an astounding 23-point, 15-rebound performance. Braden Schreck was next in line with 17 points, and Shaun Terry also put up 10 points while also dishing out six assists.
While Ironton’s season comes to an end, North Adams will return to Ohio University’s Convocation Center for a Division III district final rematch against Minford — who knocked off Fairland to advance.
Last season, the Devils knocked off Minford at this very stage by a 54-46 final.
That contest is slated for a 6 p.m. start, Saturday.
“We have to show up, play our game and be ready for all four quarters,” Rothwell added. “We’ve both been here, we both have experience at the Convo, and there’s a lot on the line.”
“At the beginning of the year, teams are still getting to where they want to be,” Schweickart added on the rematch with Minford. “Now, at the Convo, it’s all different. The energy is different, and everybody is going to be competing their hardest.”
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