Ironwood didn't lead very often in its first-round game vs. Basha at the McClintock Holiday Shootout on Monday afternoon, but the Eagles were on top when it counted.

Julius Williams scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to spark a 17-9 advantage in the period as Ironwood trimmed Basha, 62-61, at McClintock High School. It was just the second loss this season for Basha (9-2) while Ironwood improved to 9-4.

Williams final two points of the quarter turned out to be the difference. Williams tallied on a putback of teammate Leonard Romayor's three-point attempt with 1:19 to play for Ironwood's only lead of the second half. Ironwood led on a couple very brief occasions in the first half.

"We had our chances at the the end," Basha coach Mike Grothaus said. "I was proud of our kids effort. They had five days off, yet came out playing at a high level. We competed well defensively and on the boards."

Basha did have a couple opportunities in the final minute-plus to at least tie or take the lead. Junior Torin Bosch, who connected for 17 points, had his shot in the lane rejected with about a minute to play. Sophomore point guard Izaih Johnson was fouled with 26.6 seconds left and went to the line for one-and-one. He missed the front end and Ironwood gained control. Basha's fourth turnover of the final quarter ended its chances with 2.3 seconds left.

Basha senior Mason Blakenship led all scorers with 21 points, including four threes. Sophomore Christian Warren was the third Bears' player to score in double digits. He finished with 10.

Ironwood produced more balance offensively and picked up 23 points from its bench. Starter Noah Gifft equaled Williams with 11 points and Romayor and Ringo Aguek supplied nine points apiece to lead the bench's contribution.

Both schools play again Tuesday in the tournament which continues through Thursday at McClintock. Basha takes on Arcadia in a loser's bracket game at 11:30 a.m. Ironwood faces Highland, a 69-39 winner over Arcadia, in a 5:30 p.m. winner's bracker game.