COAL GROVE — Tightening their defense opened things up for the Coal Grove Hornets.

The Hornets’ defense held the Raceland Rams to single digit scoring in three quarters as they coasted to a 51-37 win Tuesday and captured the Dr. Paulus Heart of Champions Tournament title for the second straight year.

While the defense shined, three Hornets scored in double figures led by Cody Damron with 16 points. Evan Ferguson had 12 points and Wayne Sparks scored 11. Devin Monnier just missed double figures with 8.

Tyler Farley had 10 points for Raceland (4-6).

After taking a 12-7 first quarter lead, Sparks had 6 points in the second quarter as Coal Grove extended its lead to 29-16 at the break.

Damron and Ferguson combined for 10 points in the third quarter as the lead grew to 46-24.

In the consolation game, the St. Joseph Flyers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 57-54.

Payton Blair had 20 points, Joseph Unger 15 and Justin Mahlmeister 10 to lead the Flyers (2-6).

Tyler Noel had 14 points and Brad Pierron 11 for the Titans (0-5).

St. Joseph led 11-10 after the first quarter as Blair had 5 points.

The Titans came back to take a 29-28 halftime lead despite 6 points each from Blair and Unger in the second quarter.

Notre Dame went up 41-36 after three quarters, but Mahlmeister had 6 points and Blair scored 8 including 4 of 6 from the line to spark the fourth quarter comeback.

Damron headed up the all-tournament team by being selected the Most Valuable Player. He was joined on the all-tournament team by Oakie Haynes, Sparks, Ferguson and Monnier.

Also named to the all-tourney team were Cody Barker, Darius Jackson and Farley for the Rams, Blair and Unger for the Flyers and Noel for the Titans.

Unger won the free throw percentage award as he made 8 of 9 from the foul line.

Dr. Paulus Heart of Champions Tournament

Consolation

St. Joseph 11 17 8 21 = 57

Notre Dame 10 19 12 13 = 54

ST. JOSEPH (2-6): Payton Blair 6 1 5-8 20, Anthony Whaley 1 0 1-2 3, Joseph Unger 5 0 5-6 15, Tanner Riley 2 1 0-0 7, Justin Mahlmeister 4 0 2-4 10, T.J. Young 1 0 0-0 2, Spencer Schwab 0 0-0 0, Cody Blackburn 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 2 13-20 57. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (0-5): Tyler Noel 6 0 2-3 14, Alex Glockner 3 1 0-0 9, Jeff Emnett 3 0 0-0 6, Jeff July 2 0 1-3 5, Brad Pierron 1 3 0-0 11, Kevin Lewis 4 0 1-5 9, Carids Perez 0 0 0-0 0, Mike Glockner 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 4 4-11 54. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Glockner, Noel.

Championship

Raceland 7 9 8 13 = 37

Coal Grove 12 17 17 5 = 51

RACELAND (4-6): Darius Jackson 1 1 0-0 5, J.R. Blair 2 0 1-2 5, Chase Meade 0 0 0-2 0, Tyler Farley 2 0 6-6 10, Cody Barker 3 0 2-5 8, Cody Risner 1 0 3-6 5, Cody Grant 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 9 1 12-21 37. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (7-2): Evan Ferguson 1 1 7-8 12, Wayne Sparks 5 0 1-2 11, Oakie Haynes 1 0 0-0 2, Cody Damron 6 1 1-2 16, Devin Monier 3 0 2-3 8, Rye Goodwin 0 0 2-3 2, Dion Cunningham 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Pauley 0 0 0-0 0, Alex Bare 0 0 0-0 0, Colton Bryant 0 0 0-0 0, Bryan Jenkins 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 2 13-18 51. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.