Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

The 11th annual Ironton Classic is a numbers game.
Eight games in two days and a plethora of standout players all for is $8 on Friday and $10 on Saturday which means plenty of enjoyment for a fan’s dollar.
One of the top attractions to the Classic is Huntington Prep who will be in action both days. HP will play Wesley Christian in the 8;15 nightcap on Friday and take on M.A.C.P. Prep at 6:30 on Saturday.
The top player for Huntington is 6-foot-8 forward Quinn Slazenski who has committed to Louisville as well as 6-2 guard Andre Gordon who is going to Virginia Tech.
Also featured is 5-9 guard Johnathan McGriff who remains undecided on his college choice.
HP has plenty of size to offer beside Slazenski.
Prep has 7-foot-1 Gabriel Wuor, 6-9 Emmanuel Okpomo, 6-8 Jaemyn Brakefield, 6-9 J.T. Thor, 6-7 Dontae Stringer, 6-6 Kok Yat, 6-4 guard Jimma Gatwech and 6-3 guard Greg Tribble who is another top player originally from Cincinnati Winton Wood
Speaking of size, Wesley Christian isn’t at a disadvantage in that area. WC will also play Cincinnati Taft at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Wesley has 7-foot senior Leon Moshefy, 6-10 senior forward Arol Kachuol, 6-8 senior Erwin Gutic, 6-8 guard and forward Puoch Puoch and 6-7 Kyle Skamser.
Cincinnati Taft features Chris’seon Stringer a 6-3 small forward who has signed to play football at Toledo along with 5-8 point guard Demarco Bradley who was an All-Ohio player last season.
Africentric will match 6-1 sophomore shooting guard Isaac Reeves who averages 22 points a game against Huntington High and 6-3 Mikal Dawson who is headed for Akron. The game is set for 4:45 on Saturday.
Ironton will play Chillicothe at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and rival Ashland, Ky., in the Classic’s finale at 8:15 on Saturday.
The Cavaliers are off to a slow start at 4-3 but feature 6-7 junior Brandon Noel and 6-5 junior Jayvon Maughmer inside.
The Ironton-Ashland rivalry has always been a battle with Ironton winning in overtime two years ago in the Classic.
The Tomcats are led by 6-4 Devaunte Robinson and Ethan Hudson, both considered college-level players. Hudson scored a 30 on his ACT.
Others returning for Ashland at Justin Bradley, Hunter Mays and Ryan Bryant who is listed at 6-6, 275-pounds.
The Classic tips off at 4:45 p.m. on Friday as the St. Joseph Flyers play the Coal Grove Hornets.
The game originally was schedule for 3 p.m. but moved back when Taft was unable to play on Friday due to state testing.
The Hornets have one of the area’s best players in 6-3 senior Aaron Music and feature an athletic lineup.
The Flyers are off to a 5-1 start on the strength of the 3-point shooting of Zach Roach and Ryan Payne.
Roach set a school record with 10 3-point goals and the Flyers had a team record 18 against Ohio Valley Christian last week.
The girls won’t be left out as the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers play Vincent Warren at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday as the first of five games.

11th Ironton Classic
Friday, Dec. 21
4:45 — St. Joseph vs. Coal Grove
6:30 — Chillicothe vs. Ironton
8:15 — Wesley Christian vs. Huntington Prep
Saturday, Dec. 22
1:15 — Warren vs. Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers
3:00 — Cincinnati Taft vs. Wesley Christian
4:45 — Africentric vs. Huntington High
6:30 — Huntington Prep vs. M.A.C.K. Prep
8:15 — Ironton vs. Ashland, Ky.
Admission $8 on Friday and $10 on Saturday