Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WEST PORTSMOUTH — When the game was on the line, three Coal Grove players lined up.

Alex Bare, Conor Markins and Isaiah Gunther made clutch plays down the stretch that enabled the Coal Grove Hornets to beat the Portsmouth West Senators 61-57 on Tuesday.

The Senators were up 16-15 at the end of the first quarter and they pulled away to a 30-24 lead at the half.

But the Hornets came out the second half and cut the deficit to 44-42 at the end of the third quarter.

The score went back and forth in the fourth quarter.

First, Gunther hit a basket with two minutes left to put the Hornets up by one only to have West answer and regain the lead.

Markins then came up with the key play for the Hornets. Markins stole the ball and drove for a layup and was fouled. He hit the free throw and Coal Grove led by two with 35 seconds left.

Bare was fouled with 13 seconds left and hit both free throws to seal the win.

Bare led the Hornets with a game-high 26 points. Markins also had a big game with 20 points.

Michael Hafer had 16 points, J.B. Travis 15 and Zach Frye 13 for West (1-1).

Coal Grove 15 9 18 19 = 61

Portsmouth West 16 14 14 13 = 57

COAL GROVE (2-0): Conor Markins 6-9 2-6 2-2 20, Kyle Estep 1-1 0-0 0-0 2, Sean Paulus 2-3 0-2 0-0 4, Alex Bare 8-21 2-5 7-9 29, Brandon Adkins 2-8 0-2 0-0 4, Isaiah Gunther 1-2 0-1 0-1 2, Austen Pleasants 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 24-60 9-12 61. 3-point goals: 4-16. Fouls: 15. Fouled out; None.

PORTSMOUTH WEST (1-1): Michael Davis 3-5 0-2 2-2 8, Steven Irwin 2-2 0-1 0-0 4, Zach Bolton 0-1 0-1 0-0 0, Michael Hafer 7-12 0-0 2-2 16, J.B. Travis 2-6 3-4 2-2 15, Zach Frye 2-3 3-5 0-0 13, Mason Howell 0-0 0-1 0-0 0, Austin Bricker 0-2 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 22-46 6-6 57. 3-point goals: 6-15. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.