Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

A big basketball event needs a big start.

That’s what the annual Ironton Classic has planned with a special one-game prep team matchup between traditional national powers Hargrave Military Academy and Mt. Zion Christian Academy.

While tickets are $10 on Monday and Tuesday for all six games scheduled each day, Sunday’s marquee matchup of national prep teams will be at 3 p.m. and cost $5. Veterans will be admitted for $4.

Hargrave is coached by former Marshall guard A.W. Hamilton and features four top college prospects.

Trey Grundy is being recruited by UNCW, Kejuan Johnson by Rutgers, Danjel Purifoy by Auburn and Tyrone Taylor by Wichita State.

Purifoy is listed as one of the top 100 players in the country by Rivals.com and ESPN.

The Tigers — who were national champions in 2004 and 2008 — were 32-8 last season and finished among the Elite 8 in the national tournament.

Mt Zion is coached by Stephen Baines and is led by 7-foot center Raekwon Long and 6-10 center Iran Bennet. Also on the front line is 6-7 forward Thadeus Middleton.

Mt. Zion’s counts among its alumni former NBA star Tracy McGrady.

 

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