Last night in Ironton was a classic high school basketball game with a tournament atmosphere in the last 2 minutes. Ironton edged Portsmouth 62-61 in the 161st meeting between the 2 schools. Ironton led after the 1st quarter 20-14, but after that Portsmouth led at halftime, at the end of 3 quarters, and all the way up until 24 seconds to go in the game. Reid Carrico scored the game winner, and the Trojans couldn't get the go ahead shot off as the buzzer sounded. Ironton has won 3 in a row vs. PHS but still trail the series 92-69. Miles Shipp was outstanding for the Trojans with 27 points, his best effort of the season. Portsmouth started 3 sophomores and played 2 others. Ironton had a much more experienced team than PHS, with Grizzle, Salyers, and Milleson being seniors (they combined for 42 of the Fighting Tigers' points).
Portsmouth is 5-7 on the season, and could very well be 8-4. The Trojans lost at South Point 82-75 in OT, lost in Florida to Germantown Friends School 58-55 on a 3 pointer with seconds remaining, and last night lost to Ironton by 1 point.
Ironton is a very good basketball team, and Portsmouth battled them right down to the buzzer.