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Waverly travels to Ironton to take on the Tigers 1/29

Ironton (8-5)

W..Ironton.................93.......Ashland (16-4)...........73
W..Ironton.................70.......Blanchester (5-8)........36
W..Ironton.................63.......Russell, KY (9-11)........36
L...Taft (12-1)............83.......Ironton................... .65
W..Ironton.................57.......Memorial (4-8)...........40
L...Chesapeake (13-1)...78.......Ironton....................70
W..Ironton.................56.......Gallia Academy (5-8)....33
L...John Glenn (10-2).....52.......Ironton....................45
W..Ironton.................70......,.Dayton Stivers (4-9)...55
W..Ironton.................79........Dayton HSA.....(???)....15
L...Portsmouth (11-4)....66........Ironton....................41
W..Ironton.................75........Cabell Midland (2-9).....56
L...Chesapeake (13-1)...74.........Ironton....................59


Waverly (6-8)

L...Valley (7-6)...............42..........Waverly...................41
L...Logan Elm (11-2)........52..........Waverly...................34
L...Washington CH ( )......61..........Waverly...................56 OT
L...Wheelersburg (9-3).....71..........Waverly...................68
W..Waverly...................49..........Eastern (7-5).............46
L...Piketon (14-0)...........68...........Waverly..................67
W..Waverly...................60..........Minford (4-8).............47
W..Waverly...................70..........Ports West (3-10).......48
L...Portsmouth (11-4).......77..........Waverly...................60
W..Waverly...................65..........South Webster (8-3).....62
W..Waverly...................38...........Northwest (5-8).........36
L...Oak Hill (11-2)...........49...........Waverly...................46
L...Wheelersburg (9-3)......47...........Waverly...................44
W..Waverly....................60...........Minford (4-8).............37

What time is this game?

Waverly also lost to Wheelersburg on 12/17. I believe the score was 72-71 in OT. They have also beaten South Webster. Not that it matters to this thread, but they are at least 6-6.

4th n Goal wrote:Waverly also lost to Wheelersburg on 12/17. I believe the score was 72-71 in OT. They have also beaten South Webster. Not that it matters to this thread, but they are at least 6-6.

Thanks.........

At this point in the season, the question is whether the young Ironton Tigers are just a year or so away from reaching their full potential, or whether they can ramp up their play to where they can make a serious run this postseason. I, like most fans, underestimated the difficulty in competing at the highest levels when you have 5-6 sophomores playing significant roles. As talented as these sophomores are, they are still learning what it takes to win, and they are doing so against some of the finest talent, coaches, and teams that southeast Ohio has seen in recent winters.

The growth process can be difficult when young guys are used to winning all the time. Two steps forward are often followed by a step back and another lesson learned. Patience is the key. Coach Lafon knows how to win, and the players have the talent to take this team to a higher level of achievement. As the season winds down, the Tigers can focus on the following:

1. The target so often on Ironton's back is now officially off. People are not expecting Ironton to win, they think it's Chesapeake's or Portsmouth's year to shine. Maybe so. The Tigers can make themselves a fantastic spoiler in the postseason, however, if they rally around themselves and play out the season with a chip on their shoulder. The Tigers have nothing to lose, and need to embrace their new role as the underdog. It can be fun proving people wrong.

2. The young Tigers have hopefully learned that you win against the best only as a team. It is too much to expect one or two individuals can carry the day against the Panthers or the Trojans or whoever else may be on the court on a given night. Good defense will eventually wear down an individual, but not a whole team. Little things like making the extra pass, setting a screen, blocking out, or recognizing the double-team will force the defense to work harder at its job, and eventually to be the side that breaks down.

3. Understand that high school referees think a blocked shot is a foul 75% of the time. It's easier just to guard a guy and make him take a tough shot than to lapse into a swatting/fouling contest. Solid defense is 90% good guarding for 20-25 seconds and keeping the ball out of the lane. Then the other team will lose its patience and take a bad shot.

4. Just have fun playing together. Each game is not an audition for the last rowboat off the Titanic. It's high school basketball, and you get only four precious years to play before it's over and you move on to the rest of your life. Things will get better for the Tigers when we see them smiling after a teammate makes a nice pass, swishes an open jumper, or forces an opponent into a tough shot.

No matter what, we're behind you guys all the way. Brighter days are ahead.

Well said, Pembrook.

It looks there will more than one game played on Saturday with Ironton's JV and Varsity girls playing Vinton County at 2:30 and 4, respectively, followed by Raceland/Fairland's boys varsity at 6 and finally Ironton/Waverly at 8.

Dion did not get released and is not going to play basketball this season. His shoulder is still giving him problems. I just hope he heals. This poor kid has been through enough. Hang in there Dion!

86Tiger wrote:Dion did not get released and is not going to play basketball this season. His shoulder is still giving him problems. I just hope he heals. This poor kid has been through enough. Hang in there Dion!

That's very sad to hear but He needs to be 100% when He comes back to lessen the likelyhood of reinjury.

Good Luck Dion, I know it's tough but get healthy and come back next year ready to go.

This should be an interesting game. Waverly is better than their record (5-8), but just can't seem to win any close games. They have lost to Piketon, Burg (twice), Valley and Oak Hill all by 3 points or less. Kretzer and White both need to take more shots every game.

The Tigers also lost to Washington Court House in OT after leading by 3 or 4 in the waning seconds of regulation.

4th n Goal wrote:This should be an interesting game. Waverly is better than their record (5-8), but just can't seem to win any close games. They have lost to Piketon, Burg (twice), Valley and Oak Hill all by 3 points or less. Kretzer and White both need to take more shots every game.

I agree, the best (5-8) Team around. They could have very easily been (8-5) right now.

OHbuckeye1,
Only two of Waverly's losses were sure losses (Logan Elm & Portsmouth), they could easily be 11-2. Washington Court House, Valley and at Burg were games the Tigers seemed to have in the bag but figured out how to lose. They lost to 2nd ranked Piketon by 1, to 9th ranked Oak Hill by 3 and Burg a 2nd time on another last second shot.

I just wanna say "good luck" to the Tigers!

smurray wrote:OHbuckeye1,
Only two of Waverly's losses were sure losses (Logan Elm & Portsmouth), they could easily be 11-2. Washington Court House, Valley and at Burg were games the Tigers seemed to have in the bag but figured out how to lose. They lost to 2nd ranked Piketon by 1, to 9th ranked Oak Hill by 3 and Burg a 2nd time on another last second shot.

Your right, a 1 point loss to Piketon says alot......

Coach Kelley wrote:I just wanna say "good luck" to the Tigers!

Me too. Ironton that is :122245

I know it was Minford but Waverly finally put a complete game together last night, coming out of the halftime break with a great 3rd period (26 points). The Tigers (of Waverly) need to continue to improve for the 2nd season (tournament trail).

What time does it start today??

I heard it was the late game, 8:00p.m.

Are there other games going on to??