In the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Paul Newman turned to Robert Redford as they couldn’t shake the poss/ chasing them, “Who are those guys?”

Entering the season, everyone knew about the Ironton Fighting Tigers All-Ohio guard Dennis Gagai. Now the school’s all-time leading scorer, Gagai was the only returning starter on a team with no lettermen.

None.

Ironton was 26-1 last season and finished as state runners-up.

Disaster loomed.

With a grueling schedule and so much youth and inexperience, no one expected a .500 season, let alone a trip to the Division III regional finals Saturday against Wheelersburg.

But that has happened and first-year Ironton head coach Mark LaFon said the team’s success is no secret.

“Our depth and accepting our roles is our strength. I’ve never been around a more enjoyable group. All the things you want in a team these kids have given me,” LaFon said.

As a large part of the Ironton student body prepares for their roles in the school play “Hello, Dolly!” the Fighting Tigers have been playing their roles all season.

Key players behind Gagai are seniors Brandon Walker and Michael Phillips, junior Alstan Carter and sophomore Marc Carter.

“Brandon has really accepted what we want him to do and become a leader. He’s hit the boards hard,” LaFon said. “Michael is just a blue collar guy. He works hard and doesn’t care if he ever scores a point.

“Alstan has been asked to play defense and he plays that role so well. He can really shut someone down. I went from worrying about Marc Carter and protecting him to giving him more things to do. He’s one of our most improved players.”

However, as LaFon said, one of the keys to the team is the depth and not just the starters.

Twin brothers Trevor and Troy Allen along with T.J. Keith, J.J. Johnson, Jared Murphy and Andy Colegrove have been instrumental.

“The guys who go in always do something. It might just be a little thing, but they do it. I told Jared one game to go in and keep one of their guys off the block and he did.

“And that’s big for us. They understand their role when they go in the game. Guys who play more are asked to do more, and yet I don’t hear any griping on the bench or in practice,” LaFon said.

The Ironton coach said each player brings something different to the table.

“J.J. and Troy energize us. T.J. can guard inside or on the perimeter. T.J. has been playing really well and with confidence. Andy can give Michael a blow inside. Trevor is an excellent rebounder,” LaFon said.

“Trevor has had some big games. He started at the beginning of the year and went to playing very little to being a big contributor. That’s the way it’s been all year with all of them.”

Being underdogs all season has kept Ironton players loose, almost comical according to LaFon.

“They win the district finals and they were more concerned with the pizzas we had for them in the locker room. They just love being around each other,” LaFon said. “Andy (Colegrove) gave up pizza for Lent and Michael Phillips got all excited and asked if he could have Andy’s pizza.”

Even though the entire team has rallied together and worked as a single unit, LaFon said a lot of the credit still goes to Gagai, the soft-spoken leader of the team.

“What a great person to be the leader of this team. We were young and we as coaches had to be patient. But Dennis has been very patient and he’s accepted being an equal part of the team. He doesn’t see himself being above anyone else on the team,” LaFon said.

“I get on Dennis just like I do anyone else on this team and he accepts it. As good of a player as he is, he’s an even better person.”

Ironton faces an almost impossible task Saturday against Wheelersburg. Regardless of whether they win or lose, LaFon is proud of his Fighting Tigers.

“They are a team in the true sense of the word. I can’t tell you how proud I am of this bunch. I don’t care what happens Saturday, they’re already winners in my eyes,” LaFon said.

Now we know who they are. Winners.