Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

All the Coal Grove Hornets needed was a good start.

And Conor Markins.

The Hornets jumped out to an 11-point first quarter lead and Markins scored 21 points as they beat the St. Joseph Flyers 52-39 on Friday.

“We couldn’t hit anything and when we did make some shots and try to make a run, Coal Grove would answer with a big shot of their own,” said Flyers’ coach Jeremy Williams.

“Give Coal Grove credit. They made the plays when they had to and Markins is a really nice player.”

Markins was the only player in double figures for the Hornets (10-3).

Justin Mahlmeister scored 20 points and joined the St. Joseph 1,000-point club. His grandfather, Jim Mahlmeister, is the all-time leading scorer as well as the single-game record holder.

Eli Lewis added 8 points for the Flyers (6-8) who were 14 of 46 from the field for 30 percent and a mere 2 of 20 from behind the 3-point line.

Coal Grove jumped in front 15-4 in the first quarter as Alex Bare and Markins combined for 9 points.

Mahlmeister scored 6 points to match Markins in the second quarter and the Flyers cut into the lead to trail 26-16 at the break.

Mahlmeister scored 6 points in the third quarter including a shot from the left block with 3:36 on the clock that gave him 1,000 for his career.

He helped the Flyers get within 6 points, but Markins and Joe Akers combined for 10 points and the Hornets pulled away to a 43-25 lead.

Mahlmeister drained a pair of 3-pointers and scored 8 points in the fourth quarter, but Markins had 5 points and Bare hit two clutch free throws as the Hornets sealed the win.

Coal Grove played at Symmes Valley on Saturday and visits Rock Hill next Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

St. Joseph plays Tuesday at Fairview, Ky. The boys’ jayvee game is at 5 p.m. followed by the girls’ varsity and then the boys’ varsity.

Coal Grove 15 11 17 9 = 52

St. Joseph 4 12 9 14 = 39

COAL GROVE (10-3): Trevor Barrett 1 0 0-0 2, Alex Bare 1 1 2-2 7, Johnathon Joseph 0 0 0-0 0, Sean Paulus 1 1 1-3 6, Isaiah Gunther 1 0 0-1 2, Brandon Adkins 3 0 0-0 6, Conor Markins 8 0 5-6 21, Joe Akers 3 0 0-0 6, Austen “Red” Pleasants 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 18 2 10-14 52. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

ST. JOSEPH (6-8): Hunter Pemberton 0 0 1-3 1, Chris Lewis 1 0 1-2 3, Grant Geswein 0 0 0-2 0, Troy Scott 2 0 1-1 5, Eli Lewis 4 0 0-2 8, Joseph Payton 1 0 0-0 2, Justin Mahlmeister 4 2 6-8 20, Lane Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-46 9-18 39. 3-point goals: 2-20. Rebounds: 20 (Mahlmeister 6, E. Lewis 6). Assists: 4 (Mahlmeister 3). Steals: 7 (Mahlmeister 2, C. Lewis 2). Blocked shots: 5 (E. Lewis 5). Turnovers: 16. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.