Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — It might have been a one-point win on the scoreboard, but it was a whole lot bigger for the South Point Pointers.

The young Pointers entered Tuesday’s Ohio Valley Conference game 0-2, but they managed to hold on for a 42-41 win over the Coal Grove Hornets.

“That was a big win for our team,” said South Point coach Travis Wise who recorded his first career victory.

“We needed it. The kids responded to adversity, they were diving on the floor and they played together as a team.”

Elijah Adams scored 11 points to lead a balanced team effort. Ryan Gibson had 8 points while Brady Rickard scored 7 and Tanner Hall 6.

Brandon Adkins scored 13 points to lead the Hornets who were playing their first game of the season. Austen Pleasants added 9 points while Jonathan Joseph and Isaiah Gunther scored 8 points each.

Coal Grove led 11-8 after the first quarter but Hall had all of his points in the second quarter as South Point took a 21-20 halftime lead.

Adams scored 6 points in the third quarter as South Point opened up a 9point lead before the Hornets cut the gap to 35-31 at the end of the stanza.

Gibson hit a 3-point with 1:40 left to put the Pointers up for good as they held on for the win.

On Friday, South Point visits Chesapeake and Coal Grove hosts Portsmouth.

Coal Grove 11 9 11 10 = 41

South Point 8 13 14 7 = 42

COAL GROVE (0-1, 0-1): Travis Carey 0 0 1-2 1, Jonathan Joseph 1 2 0-0 8, Isaiah Gunther 1 2 0-0 8, Brandon Adkins 5 9 3-6 13, Austen Pleasants 3 0 3-7 9, Jake Myers 0 0 2-4 2. Totals: 10 4 9-19 41. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Pleasants.

SOUTH POINT (1-2, 1-0): Ryan Gibson 1 2 0-0 8, Brady Rickard 3 0 1-4 7, Stephon Wagoner 1 0 1-2 3, Chris Woodard 1 0 2-2 4, Elijah Adams 2 1 4-5 11, Cody Runyon 0 1 0-0 3, Tanner Hall 2 0 2-2 6. Totals: 10 4 10-15 42. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Hall.