12/28 (3-4) Ironton vs (7-1) minford @portsmouth

[tigerpower89]

Thoughts on this game

[Clonch4uk]

Minford. Saw them against Jackson. Very good team. Shoots the 3's well. Specially number 33

[sciotoriversox]

When is the game time?

[biggdowgg]

tip off at 5 pm monday night

[CCGR]

I can assure you 1 thing. Ironton is the best 3-4 team around. Based upon the game I watched vs Huntington High. Minford won't be as athletic as HH but might shoot it better. Should be a fun match up to watch IMO. Does anyone know if Minford Div 3 this year or still D2?

[pfloyd]

Minford fell back down to D3 this year I believe CCGR ... I just checked it - yep - D3 it is this year for the Mighty Minford Falcons ...

[IBTT]

Does anyone know if Large is going to be back soon and when Carey joins the team. IMO those are two of your top scorers on the Tigers team that didn't play against Huntington. They will be on another level once they get those two kids.

[Bleeding Red]

If Minford plays their A game, they will win this one handily. If they play sloppy it will be close at the end.

I predict Minford winning 72-60

[CCGR]

Minford fell back down to D3 this year I believe CCGR ... I just checked it - yep - D3 it is this year for the Mighty Minford Falcons ...

Thanks PFloyd
With Minford/Ironton and Portsmouth/Valley later tonight. You're likely to see 4 D3 convo teams tonight.

[CCGR]

If Minford plays their A game, they will win this one handily. If they play sloppy it will be close at the end.

I predict Minford winning 72-60

BR
I've not seen Minford play but I've heard they can shoot it and fun to watch. I believe irontons physical play will keep them n the game. If Ironton wins it will be in the 40s, if it reaches 60+ it's n Minfords favor.

[Pop80]

Does anyone know if Large is going to be back soon and when Carey joins the team. IMO those are two of your top scorers on the Tigers team that didn't play against Huntington. They will be on another level once they get those two kids.

Carey won't be available until game 12.

[noreply66]

Tigers are due for a win

[my2sense]

Falcons win this one 48-45.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

DAGNABBIT ALREADY.

[ohbuckeye2]

Congrats to Minford on the win.

Another hard fought close game for the Fighting Tigers, keep up the hard work Guys.

[Bleeding Red]

It sounded like a very good contest and was much closer than I expected.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

WHO'S NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING TIGERS OHBUCK.

[tigerpower89]

WHO'S NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING TIGERS OHBUCK.

@ Rock Hill Jan 5th in a league game

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

THANKS GO TIGERS GO.

[pembrook burrows III]

What will 2016 bring for Ironton?

Ironton has spent much of December trying to determine its strengths, while the coaching staff molds them into a well-drilled unit. This has required patience due to the number of newcomers, including 3-4 freshmen getting significant playing time. While the win column may not yet sparkle, the Fighting Tigers have proven a handful for most teams, as Ironton has led in the 4th quarter of close losses to Ashland, Fairland, Gallia, Huntington, and Minford.

Injuries to veteran Raphael Glover and talented freshman Charlie Large have presented additional challenges, as the team awaits the eligibility of Second Team All-Southeast District transfer Travis Carey on January 15. By then, the roster should be whole again for the stretch run into tournament play.

In 2016, I will be watching to see the following:

* Whether the coaching staff takes the choke chain off the team and allows a more free flowing offense, with less half-court regimentation and more open spacing in and around the basket to benefit a team that drives the ball well.

* Whether more players will develop the confidence needed to make winning plays in the 4th quarter, as to date, the Tigers have tried to rely almost entirely upon Philip Kratzenburg in crunch time. Philip is having a great senior season despite the fact that opposing defenses are cheating two and three guys to wear him down over the course of the game.

* Whether the flashes of aggression from the Davis, Large, Wilson, and Bryant will bear fruit, as hopefully their roles and confidence will grow in the next seven weeks. Marques especially seems on the verge of becoming that consistently special player who can take this team to a higher level. And when this team has won, the talented freshmen have been major contributors.

* Whether the ultimate formula for winning will be for the Fighting Tigers to "go big and strong" or to play "smaller and faster". Athletic senior leader Dez Young gives Ironton the flexibility to play either way.

Coach Lafon and his staff always do a great job with the Ironton program, and this year looks to be no exception. Go Tigers!