Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

High scorers and height are the key words in this matchup.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers and Martins Ferry Purple Riders will display a lot of similarities when they collide at 6:15 Wednesday in the Division III regional semifinals at Ohio University’s Convocation Center.

Ironton features 5-foot-9 senior guard Zac Carter who averages 24.1 points a game.

Martins Ferry counters with 6-3 senior Cody Schau with a 26.7 scoring average. He has been held under 20 points only once all season when he scored 16 points in the 56-48 district championship win over Sugarcreek Garaway.

Ironton has 6-6 Trey Fletcher on the inside. The senior forward scores at a 20.5 clip with 7.2 rebounds per game.

The Purple Riders had 6-6 junior center Robert Vargo with a double-double average, 13.6 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Each team’s No. 3 man is scoring at almost the same rate. Ironton’s 6-4 Trevor White averages 10 points and 7.5 rebounds while Martins Ferry’s 6-2 senior Tyler Strama averages 10.6 points after battling back from an early season ankle injury sustained in football.

White played running back and defensive end for Ironton’s football team.

There are some differences.

Ironton is 21-2 with 15 straight wins. Martins Ferry is 14-8 but playing its best ball of the season. They have a five-game winning streak.

Ironton won its second straight district title and 14th overall. The Fighting Tigers have recently won district titles in 2010, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Martins Ferry is making its first regional appearance since 1998.

Ironton’s center is 6-4 senior Aaron Stephens and he will go up against the Purple Riders 6-8 freshman Emilio Appolloni who averages just 4.0 points and 6.0 rebounds.

Rounding out the starting lineups are Ironton’s 5-11 senior guard Josh Glover and Martins Ferry 5-8 sophomore point guard Jake Barritt who averages 6.0 points a game.

Martins’ Ferry’s top reserves are 5-6 sophomore guard Isaiah Sears and 5-11 freshman forward Arjay Burress.

Ironton’s bench counters with 5-11 senior guard Darrius Boykin, 6-1 sophomore guard Joe Bowling, 6-foot sophomore forward Tristan Cox and 6-1 freshman forward Jake Long.

The 8 p.m. game Wednesday has Oak Hill playing Piketon. Wednesday’s winners meet at 7 p.m. Saturday in the regional finals with a state tournament berth at stake.

 

 

 

 

Division III Regional Rosters

Ironton Fighting Tigers

Player Pos. Ht. Gr.

Darrius Boykin F 5-11 Sr.

Jalen Schweickart F 5-11 Sr.

Zac Carter G 5-09 Sr.

Josh Glover G 5-11 Sr.

Trevor White F 6-04 Sr.

Trey Fletcher F-C 6-06 Sr.

Aaron Stephens C 6-04 Sr.

Nate Garred G 5-10 Jr.

Joe Bowling G-F 6-01 So.

Tristan Cox G-F 6-00 So.

Trevor Easterling G 5-10 So.

Isaac Sherman C 6-04 So.

Richard Crockrel G 5-10 So.

Charles Scott G 5-10 So.

Jake Long G-F 6-00 Fr.

Head coach: Mark LaFon

Record: 21-2

 

Martins Ferry Purple Riders

Player Pos. Ht. Gr.

Tyler Strama F 6-02 Sr.

Cody Schau F 6-03 Sr.

Tayor Shane PG 5-09 Sr.

Robert Vargo C 6-06 Jr.

Dustin Schau W 6-00 Jr.

Isaiah Sears G 5-06 So.

Jake Barritt G 5-07 So.

Lucas Agnew F 6-00 So.

Josiah Burress F 6-02 So.

Kyle Rine F 5-11 So.

Emilio Appolloni C 6-08 Fr.

Arjay Burress F 5-11 Fr.

James Edwards G 5-10 G

Head Coach: Joe Sabatino

Record: 14-8