By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

Brian Warner has played against a lot of good teams and good players during his three seasons as a starter for the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

He has one more big game left, and it’s got the most talent yet.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers 6-foot, 210-pound senior fullback and linebacker has been named to the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association annual North/South All-Star Game.

Now in its 65th year, the nation���s longest running prep football all-star game will be held Friday, April 22, at Ohio Stadium.

Warner was an Associated Press first team Division IV Southeast Ohio All-District selection and third team All-Ohio.

Ironton reached the regional finals last season before losing 26-20 to eventual state champion Columbus Bishop Hartley. In Warner’s three seasons as a starter, Ironton posted a 28-10 record overall including two regional runners-up.

In basketball, three local players will be part of the coaches’ association North/South All-Star game.

Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 6-foot senior Nikki Elswick, 5-foot- South Point senior guard Kayla Fletcher and Chesapeake Panthers 6-2 senior guard Nathan Copley were selected by the District 13 coaches to represent their area in the classic.

Copley helped lead the Panthers to their first-ever state tournament appearance last season and to the regional championship game this year. He was the Coaches District 13 Player of the Year in Division III.

Copley was also a first team selection by the Associated Press and share district Player of the Year honors with Peebles’ Blake Justice.

Elswick was a first team all-district pick by the AP and the coaches. She earned third team All-Ohio honors with the AP and shared the Player of the Year award on the coaches’ team along with Breanna Butler of Oak Hill.

A 1,000-point career scorer, Fletcher was the Coaches’ 13 District Division II Player of the Year and a first team district selection by the Associated Press. She capped her outstanding four-year career by being named to the AP All-Ohio first team.