THE IRONTON CLASSIC DECEMBER 22-23, 2008

[85inside]

Here is a link to a 2 day schedule full of games at Ironton's Conley Sports Center. Some great action if you like High School basketball. Tickets I believe are $8 per day.

http://www.tigertown.com/ironton%20classic/index.htm

[pembrook burrows III]

Some interesting matchups and some big-time talent in this tournament.

You have to like the Chesapeake-Huntington (WV) matchup. Chesapeake looks to be improved, and Huntington is always loaded with a ton of good players. This year they have added transfer Xavier Humphrey, a 6-5 shoooting guard and son of former Marshall player John Humphrey, as a transfer from Raleigh, NC. He is being looked at by some D-I schools like Marshall.

Ironton will be severely tested by Columbus Brookhaven, a perennial central Ohio powerhouse and producer of D-I talent. The Haven was 18-5 last year, and returns a lot of size and speed. Little known fact about Brookhaven - it is the alma mater of former Reds and Yankee standout Paul O'Neill.

A couple of small schools get to share the spotlight in their matchup on the second day when St. Joe takes on long-time small school standout Racine Southern. The Tornadoes bring a lot of tradition to town against a Flyers program that has been on the uptick in the last couple of years, reaching the Convo in 2007.

North Stafford (VA), Columbus Walnut Ridge, and Campbell Memorial also bring well-regarded programs to the Conley Center, and probably make the Ironton Classic the leader in most miles traveled for southeastern Ohio tournaments.

Last but certainly not least is the prep school entry, Mountain State Academy from Beckley, WV. While Mountain State is relatively new on the national prep school circuit, it is already dreaming big with a schedule that includes the likes of Oak Hill Academy, Mt. Zion Academy, St. Benedict's of NJ, and The Patterson School. Mountain State boasts multiple D-I recruits, including 6-4 shooting guard Kofi Mensa (Wake Forest, Va. Tech, N.C. St., Nebraska, Akron, and Marshall), 5-11 point guard Noah Cottrill (WVU verbal), and 6-9, 250 power forward Deniz Kilicli (via Turkey). Kilicli is a monster who is being courted by just about every major program in the country, including UCLA, Kentucky, LSU, and WVU, and is considered a sure-fire NBA prospect within a couple of years. He is described by scouts as "more skilled than Kevin Love."

So get your Christmas shopping done early and check out some elite ballers in I-Town come December 22-23.

[sportsfan_1959]

Where is the Conley Center?

[Mad-Dogg]

i agree. the peake - huntington game should be a good one. the burg played them last year at huntington and they gave the burg all they could handle. burg won that game 55-47 Spradlin's 21 points

[BuckeyeCAV]

Here is a link to a 2 day schedule full of games at Ironton's Conley Sports Center. Some great action if you like High School basketball. Tickets I believe are $8 per day.

http://www.tigertown.com/ironton%20classic/index.htm

Sounds like a great classic.

Good Luck Ironton

[theassassin]

i think kilicli is a wvu verbal also

[ItownHosscat]

Its gonna be a good-un!

[Amen Corner]

Where is the Conley Center?

Next to the high school

[85inside]

Next to Ironton High School on the 17 hundred block of South 7th Street, Ironton. Right next to Tanks Memorial Stadium.

[85inside]

couldve been alot rougher.

[goUK]

Is the conley sports center part of the new schools? And is it an actual sports complex or is it just a basketball arena?

[85inside]

The Conley Center opened in 1976. It is a basketball arena. Probably sits around 2500. Give or take.
It is dtached from the new school being built in Ironton. It is hopeful that the Conley Center will go through some renovations over the next few years. Very hopeful for a new floor and some new seating, sound system and some lighting. Very wishful list, but hopeful that things like the Ironton Classic, will help spur some fundraising towards this project.
This will be a great two days of basketball.

[sportsfan_1959]

Thanks Amen Corner and 85indside.

[pembrook burrows III]

Largo HS out of Maryland has replaced North Stafford, VA in this event. Largo is the reigning Maryland Class AAA State Champion. Below is the revised schedule of games:

Monday, December 22, 2008
3:00 Largo (MD) v. Walnut Ridge (OH)
5:00 Chesapeake (OH) v. Huntington (WV)
7:00 Ironton (OH) v. Russell (KY)
9:00 Mountain State Academy (WV) v. Campbell Memorial (OH)

Tuesday, December 23,2008
5:00 Southern (OH) v. St. Joseph Catholic (OH)
7:00 Campbell Memorial (OH) v. Largo (MD)
9:00 Brookhaven (OH) v. Ironton (OH)

[ItownHosscat]

Cant wait to see some of these teams.
Never know if you may or may not see a D1 college coach in attendance

[jottings]

When did they name the Ironton Sports Complex Conley Center?

[pembrook burrows III]

Harold Conley was the Superintendent of Ironton City Schools for many years, and was probably involved in getting the funds to build the facility. His wife was an English teacher at IHS for many years, but the facility was named after him in honor of his service.

[butcherman108]

Move back to the top.

[Amen Corner]

Well, it's almost here.I can't wait to see some of these talented young men.

A great 2 days of hoops

[85inside]

You cant beat the price of this. $8 for 4 games on day one and $8 for 3 great games on day 2. Keep your ticket stub and ride the shuttle to Ironton's BW3's in between games and get a bite to eat. The 9 oclock games on both nights should be dandy's!! These games are going to be reaired on TV over the following days after the tourny!