Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

BIDWELL — When the shots aren’t falling, don’t panic. Just as long as you don’t the your opponent make shots, too.
The Coal Grove Lady Hornets struggled with their offense in the first half, but the defense remained solid the entire game as they beat the River Valley Lady Raiders 50-30 on Monday.
“We played good defense in the first half. We had a hard time scoring,” said Coal Grove coach Rick Roach. “Our first team held them to 22 points before we subbed with four minutes to play.”
Coal Grove (4-2) was 16-of-47 from the field but 16-of-22 from the foul line.
“They were very aggressive and we took advantage of it and shot free throws well,” said Roach.
River Valley managed to tie the game at 3-3 early but Coal Grove went on a 7-0 run to close the quarter for a 10-3 lead.
Emily Compliment and Kasey Murphy combined for 9 points in the second quarter and it was 21-9 at the half.
Five different players scored in the third quarter as Coal Grove went up 34-20 at the end of the stanza.
Compliment had 8 points and the Lady Hornets were 6-of-9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter including Dolen who was 4-of-4.
Coal Grove’s biggest lead was 48-24 with 2:45 to play and 50-26 with 1:27 left.
“The second half we talked about getting the ball to the post when the pressure was applied to our guards. Murphy stepped up and knocked down the shots,” said Roach.
Compliment finished with 17 points and 4 steals while Murphy had 14 points and 8 rebounds. Destiny Dolen got 10 points and 9 rebounds.
“Compliment had the flu all weekend. Today was the first time she ate in two days,” said Roach.
Erin Jackson led River Valley (2-6) with 13 points.
Coal Grove hosts Oak Hill on Thursday.
Coal Grove    10    11    13    16    =    50
River Valley    3    6    11    10    =    30
COAL GROVE (4-2): Halie Frazier 0 0 -0 0, Bailey McKnight 2 0 1-2 5, Kylie Deer 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Compliment 6 0 5-5 17, Lauren Holliday 0 0 0-0 0, Kasey Murphy 5 0 4-5 12, Jaida Smith 0 0 0-2 0, Destiny Dolen 3 0 4-4 10, Lauren Crum 1 0 2-4 4, Emileigh Bryant 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-48 16-22 50. 3-point goals: 0-6. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 8-O, 24-D = 32 (Dolen 9, Murphy 8, Crum 6). Assists: 4. Steals: 12 (Compliment 4, Dolen 3, McKnight 3). Turnovers: 19. Blocks: 2 (Compliment, Dolen).
RIVER VALLEY (2-6): Cierra Roberts 0 0 0-0 0, Erin Jackson 6 0 1-2 13, Jaden Neal 2 1 0-0 7, Savannah Reese 0 0 0-0 0, Beth Gillman 0 0 2-2 2, Maggie Campbell 3 0 0-2 6, Jessica Steele 1 0 0- 2. Totals: 13-47 3-6 30. 3-point goals: 1. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.