By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

CHESAPEAKE — Watching the local team play makes it difficult to see other teams from the region.

Enter the second annual Beasts of the Southeast basketball invitational.

The Beasts of the Southeast — born in the mind of Chesapeake head coach Ryan Davis — brings some of the top teams together from Southeastern Ohio and this year’s lineup appears to be even stronger with five solid matchups.

Admission is $7 for the entire day. Proceeds help provide $1,000 scholarships for every Chesapeake senior male basketball player who elects to attend college.

Last year scholarships were given to Tyler “Gunner” Hill (Ohio University Southern), Peter Hintz, Colton Lindsey, Seth Ransbottom and Trent Saunders, all who attend Marshall University.

Funds are also used to help improve the basketball facilities and locker rooms.

The first game at noon has an athletic Lucasville Valley facing traditional Division IV power Eastern Meigs.

Ironton — a regional finalist last season and 6-3 this year — plays at 2 p.m. against Horizon Science Academy.

The third game has South Point and Eastern Brown in a rematch of last year when the Pointers won 68-43.

Eastern has long been a strong program in Southeastern Ohio and has produced a lot of quality players. South Point will feature a four-guard offense led by All-Ohio senior Blake Barnes.

The 6 p.m. game pits unbeaten Oak Hill and Fairland. The Oaks are coached by Norm Persin who spent 21 seasons at Chesapeake coaching against Fairland.

Persin recently won his 600th game and will be inducted into the Chesapeake Hall of Fame after the contest.

The final game at 8 p.m. as Athens facing the host Panthers who qualified for their first-ever state tournament berth last year.