Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The Coal Grove Hornets could have used a few energy bars.

The Hornets struggled in the first half and led by just five points, but they took control in the second half en route to a 72-45 rout of the Rose Hill Christian Royals on Monday in the 8th annual Ironton Classic.

“We were real sluggish in the first half. We didn’t have any energy. When you make a few shots it picks your energy level up everywhere. Cole (Gannon) did a nice job shooting the ball more,” said Hornets’ coach Kevin Vanderhoof.

“We’re trying to grow up. We got good ball movement inside out in the second half.”

Coal Grove (2-4) took plenty of shots but couldn’t convert, many from under the basket. The Hornets finished 30-of-71 for 42 percent after making only 12-of-34 attempts in the first half.

“We struggled putting the ball in the hole. We’ve been making free throws and we made 2-of-11 the first half,” said Vanderhool.

Rose Hill (2-7) shot nearly 52 percent from the field, but conversely to Coal Grove the Royals could only manage 31 attempts.

Cole Gannon had 16 points, Daniel Rutherford 15 and Dalton Miller 11 to lead three Hornets in double figures. Miller also had 8 rebounds.

Nathan Hamilton had 16 points and 6 rebounds for the Royals. Bryce DePriest scored 14 and Marcus Boyd added 12.

After taking an 18-11 first quarter lead, the Hornets went up 22-13 after a triple and then a foul shot by Gannon with 7:19 on the clock.

But the Royals got within 22-18 on a short jumper by DePriest with 5:22 left in the quarter.

Coal Grove was up 29-22 after a layup by Miller but two free throws by Boyd cut the deficit to 29-24 at the break.

A 3-point play by Boyd to begin the second half got Rose Hill within 29-27. The Hornets then went on a 10-0 run to lead 39-27 with 5:32 to play in the quarter.

Coal Grove then scored 17 unanswered points to lead 55-31 with one minute to play in the quarter.

Two foul shots by Hamilton and a layup by Zach Whitt had the Royals down 55-35 at the end of the quarter.

Aaron Musick tipped in his own missed shot and scored all 9 of his points in a row to give Coal Grove a 66-41 lead with 3:20 to play.

“We got a win under our belt. I’m proud of them. They battle. That’s why I love them. We don’t always make the right play, but we play hard,” said Vanderhoof.

Coal Grove hosts Ironton St. Joseph on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Coal Grove 18 11 26 17 = 72

Rose Hill 11 13 11 10 = 45

COAL GROVE (2-4): Cole Gannon 1 4 2-6 16, Daniel Rutherford 7 0 1-5 15, Dalton Miller 5 0 1-1 11, Sam Angelo 3 0 0-0 6, Chase McKnight 3 0 0-1 6, Aaron Musick 4 0 1-1 9, Jeb Jones 0 0 0-0 0, Jaylen McKenzie 0 0 0-2 0, Dylan Malone 0 1 0-1 3, Alijah Roman 0 1 0-0 3, Mark Sites 0 0 1-2 1, Jordan Case 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 30-71 6-19 72. 3-point goals: 6-19. Rebounds: 19-O, 17-D = 36 (Miller 8, Angelo 6). Teams rebounds: 4. Assists: 9 (McKnight 3). Steals: 18 (Miller 4, McKnight 4). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

ROSE HILL (2-7): Bryce DePriest 6 0 2-4 14, Marcus Boyd 3 1 3-4 12, Nathan Hamilton 4 1 5-6 16, Ethan Hamilton 0 0 0-0 0, Zach Whitt 1 0 1-2 3, James Barber 0 0 0-0 0, Joseph Hale 0 0 0-0 0, J.D. Dillon 0 0 0-0 0, Noah Womack 0 0 0-0 0, Marc McDaniel 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-31 11-16 45. 3-point goals: 2-8. Rebounds: 4-O, 22-D = 26 (Whitt 8, N. Hamilton 6, Barber 6). Team rebounds: 1. Assists: 6 (Barber 3). Steals: 2. Turnovers: 29. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.