Pioneers Headed to the D III Sweet 16

Zane Trace won its fourth District Basketball Championship in school history with a 51-41 win over Ironton Friday at The Convo.

Nick Nesser had a hot hand early, scoring 9 of his team high 20 points in the first period as Zane Trace turned a 9-9 tie into a 13-9 lead.

Ironton kept pace with the Pioneers in the second period, cutting the margin to 23-20 by the half. 

Zane Trace pulled ahead again in the 3rd quarter and appeared in command until Triton Davidson picked up his fourth foul of the game midway through the period forcing the Pioneers to go to the bench for freshman Nalin Robinson. 

Despite the Tigers Reid Carrico keeping Ironton in the game with his team high 20 points, down the stretch, the Pioneers nailed some free throws to secure a 51-41 victory for the school’s fourth district title and winning them back to back for the first time since the 1969 and 1970 seasons. 

Nesser led the Pioneers with 20 points and Cam Evans added 15 while Reid Carrico also netted 20 to lead Ironton.

Zane Trace will face Harvest Prep Wednesday at Ohio University with a 6:15pm tip-off. Harvest Prep nipped Worthington Christian Friday night 49-47.

In the game prior to the Zane Trace-Ironton game, Fairland socked Chesapeake 71-43. Fairland battles Ridgewood in the nightcap at 8pm Wednesday at The Convo. Ridgewood breezed past Morgan 65-48.