Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It’s time once again for The Classic.

Some of the best prep teams as well as top area and regional high school basketball teams will be spotlighted this weekend with the annual Ironton Classic.

This year’s Classic will cover three days with a one-game showcase game between Hargrave Military Academy and Mt. Zion Christian Academy at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be six games each on Monday and Tuesday. All games will be played at the Ironton High School Conley Sports Center.

Other prep teams scheduled include M.A.C.K Prep, Wesley Christian (Ky.) and West Oaks Academy. Prep teams always feature many of the top players in the country.

There will be one girls’ game and it features the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday against the defending Division III state champion Columbus Africentric.

The Ironton boys will play Waverly at 7:30 on Monday and a talent laden Spring Valley (W.Va.) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Other local teams include: St. Joseph vs. Sciotoville East at 12:30 p.m. Monday; South Point vs. Columbus Whitehall at 4 p.m. Monday; Coal Grove vs. Columbus Whitehall at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday; and Fairland vs. Africentric at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Proceeds from the tournament will help to remodel the Conley Sports Center, provide funds for scholarships and other needs. Tickets are $10 each day and allow admission to all games that day.

Main sponsors for this year’s Classic include Western & Southern Life, Collins Career Center, Ohio University Southern, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Buffalo Wild Wings, Giovanni’s Pizza, Fox Sports Radio and Rax Roast Beef.

Bronze sponsors are Bartram & Son Grocery and Coca Cola Bottling Co.

In past years, Division I college coaches such as Rick Pitino, John Calipari and Bob Huggins have visited The Classic to see the prep talent.

One player who has been seen by college coaches is Hargrave Military Academy’s Danjel Purifoy, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound small forward who has signed with Auburn. He is rated the No. 67 player in the country by ESPN and No. 80 by Rivals.com.

 

Ironton Classic 2014 Schedule

Sunday, Dec. 21

3 p.m. — Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) vs. Mt. Zion Christian Academy (N.C.)

Monday, Dec. 22

12:30 p.m. — St. Joseph vs. Sciotoville East

2:15 p.m. — Cincinnati Taft vs. M.A.C.K. Prep (N.C.)

4 p.m. — South Point vs. Collumbus Whitehall

5:45 p.m. – Mt. Zion Christian Academy vs. West Oaks Prep (Fla.)

7:30 p.m. — Ironton vs. Waverly

9:15 p.m. — West Oaks Academy (Fla.) vs. Wesley Christian, Ky.

Tuesday, Dec. 23

12:30 p.m. — Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers vs. Columbus Africentric

2:15 p.m. — Coal Grove vs. Columbus Whitehall

4:00 p.m. — Fairland vs. Africentric

5:45 p.m. — Columbus Northland vs. West Oaks Academy

7:30 p.m. — Ironton vs. Spring Valley, W.Va.

9:15 p.m. — West Oaks Prep vs. M.A.C.K. Prep