Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Forget sitting around on the couch all weekend and watching games on TV. Sit around the Conley Sports Center all weekend and watch basketball games in person.

This year’s Ironton Classic basketball extravaganza will be played on Saturday and Sunday next weekend and feature 11 games during the two-day period.

For a $10 admission fee each day, fans will be treated to six games on Saturday and five on Sunday. Saturday’s lineup features the only girls’ game as the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers take on Pickerington, one of the state’s top girls’ programs. Tip-off is 12:45 p.m.

“We have another great lineup. We’ve added more prep teams than in the past,” said Mark LaFon, Ironton head basketball coach and Classic director. “It’ll be the first time doing it on a Sunday. It’ll be interesting.”

After a commitment to a tournament in Florida last year, Huntington Prep returns to the Classic and will go against a newcomer, West Oaks Academy of Florida. The two teams will be the marquee matchup to end the Classic on Sunday night.

West Oaks will bring two teams — one a high school team and one a prep team. The high school team will play Columbus Walnut Ridge at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“Their prep team is good, but their high school team is pretty good, too,” said LaFon.

First Baptist Christian Academy of Georgia will play Huntington Prep on Saturday.

Hargrave Military Academy is back and plays West Oaks Prep on Saturday. FBC Academy will play in the first game on Sunday against West Oaks who play the first and last games of the day.

Ironton Classic

2013 Schedule

Saturday, Dec. 21

12:45 Ironton girls vs. Pickerington

2:30 West Oaks vs. Walnut Ridge

4:15 St. Joseph vs. Fairland

6:00 FBC Academy, Ga. Vs. Huntington Prep

7:45 Ironton vs. Africentric

9:30 Hargrave Military Academy, Va. vs. West Oaks Prep, Fla.

Sunday, Dec. 22

1:30 West Oaks Prep vs. FBC Academy

3:15 Cincinnati Taft vs. Ashland, Ky.

5:00 M.A.C.K. Prep (NC) vs. Hargrave Academy

6:45 Ports. Notre Dame vs. Ironton

8:30 Huntington Prep vs. West Oaks Academy

Admission: $10 per day