Ironton returns three all-state players en route to defending their OVC title
By: Jack Demmler
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IRONTON, Ohio (WOUB) – The Ironton Tigers enter the new season with hopes of making a return to the state championship after falling short last year.
The Tigers’ claimed their third straight Ohio Valley Conference title, but their season fell short after losing in the regional semifinals to conference foe, the Wheelersburg Pirates.
“That hit me harder than ever,” Trevor Carter said. “This year we are coming out with a chip on our shoulder bigger than ever.”
Ironton said goodbye to six of their nine all-state players but are confident in the skillset of this year’s team.
“What I think is good about this year,” Carter said, “our guys aren’t as big or as strong as last year but we have a very fast and athletic line coming into this year.”
In order to return to the state championship, the Tigers are going to look to their returning all state players, Carter, Ty Perkins and Jaquez Keyes.
According to 247sports, Carter, Perkins and Keyes are all top 30 recruits in the state of Ohio.
For Keyes, the ranking does not deter him from his objective.
“You still have to come out here and work,” he said. “Don’t let all this stuff get to your head. Come out here and be the best you can be. Be the best for your team and everything will work out for itself.”
Keyes and the Tigers will look to be at the top of their game as they begin their journey to state August 19th on the road against Wheelersburg.