Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Rick Roach is a young coach. But not for long.

The Coal Grove coach went through his second heart-stopper in as many games this season as the Lady Hornets beat the Alexander Lady Spartans 57-52 on Monday.

“I will be turning gray real soon if I keep having games like this,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.

“We are like an old truck. When it’s cold we run a little rough, but once we get warmed up we idle perfect.”

Jacy Jones led the Lady Hornets with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Ashley Adkins also scored 17 points — all in the second half — after sitting out the second quarter in foul trouble.

Katey Erwin had a solid all-around game with 6 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

Roach said Erwin was a key to the Lady Hornets’ second half.

“We came out of the locker room at halftime and told senior Katey Erwin she needed to step up and get some rebounds. She ended up with nine and also gave me four blocks,” said Roach.

“Jones also did a good job on the boards, especially when you consider she is a guard and her height (5-foot-6).”

Darrien Hankins, Jones and Erwin all played the entire game.

Kaylee Koker had 14 points and Kendall Meeks 12 to lead Alexander (0-3).

“Alexander was doing a good job defensively and we had a difficult time getting to the basket. Alexander is a young team, but they will battle you. Coach (Scott) Hinton does a great job with them,” said Roach.

Coal Grove (2-0) took a 10-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Adkins picked up two quick fouls and left the game.

Alexander used her absence to rally and take a 24-18 lead at the half.

Coal Grove rallied to take a 37-36 lead at the end of the third quarter and outscored Alexander 20-14 in the final quarter.

Alexander 4 20 14 14 = 52

Coal Grove 10 8 19 20 = 57

ALEXANDER (0-3): Sidney Arnold 0 0 0-0 0, Carrie Nostrant 1 0 0-0 2, Kaylee Koker 5 1 1-3 14, Chandra Wilson 1 0 1-1 3, Allyson Malone 2 1 0-0 9, Marilyn Rankin 2 1 0-7 9, Makina Milum 1 0 0-0 2, Kendall Meeks 4 0 4-6 12, Allie McClain 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 3 7-19 52. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Malone.

COAL GROVE (2-0): Jacy Jones 8 0 1-2 17, Katey Erwin 1 0 4-6 6, Brittany Webb 0 0 0-0 0, Leah Crum 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Fleming 1 1 3-4 8, Ashley Adkins 2 3 6-9 17, Morgan Sites 2 0 0-0 4, Darrien Hankins 2 0 1-6 5. Totals: 15 4 15-27 57. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.