Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — That aroma at this year’s Beast of the Southeast is potpourri.

This year’s boys’ basketball event at Chesapeake High School will be spiced with variety when the five-game schedule tips off at noon on Saturday.

There will be four teams from the Ohio Valley Conference, two from the Southern Ohio Conference, three from the Tri-Valley Conference and one — Eastern Brown — from the Southern Hills League.

Coal Grove faces Athens and high-scoring guard Griffin Lutz at noon.

Portsmouth — expected to challenge for the OVC title — and district player of the year Ky’re Allison goes against Eastern Brown at 2 p.m.

Minford has just one loss and will go against a talented Trimble team at 4 p.m.

Host Chesapeake with All-Ohio candidates Gage Rhoades and Brad Meadows play Alexander, alma mater of Panthers’ head coach Ryan Davis.

Two preseason league favorites — Fairland in the OVC and Lucasville Valley in the SOC — will meet in the final game at 8 p.m.

Admission is $8 for all five games. Here is the schedule:

Noon — Coal Grove vs. Athens

2 p.m. — Portsmouth vs. Eastern Brown

4 p.m. — Minford vs. Trimble

6 p.m. — Chesapeake vs. Alexander

8 p.m. — Fairland vs. Lucasville Valley