Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

OAK HILL — The Coal Grove Hornets played in spurts. Fortunately, those spurts were just what they needed to get the new year off on the right foot.
The Hornets used a scoring spurt in the first half to erase a 16-point deficit and then another spurt in the second half to grab the lead for good as they beat the Oak Hill Oaks 57-48 on Wednesday.
Coal Grove (6-2) got 20 points from Aaron Music to lead three players in double figures. Jaylen McKenzie scored 17 and Cory Borders added 10.
Oak Hill (8-2) was led by Mason Darby with 13 points while Chase Hammond was right behind with 12 points before fouling out with 5:07 to play.
Coal Grove had 22 rebounds with McKenzie and Evan Gannon grabbing five each.
Smith had two assists and three steals while McKenzie also had three steals.
The Hornets hit 21-of-50 floor shots for 42 percent.
Oak Hill had 33 rebounds as Darby grabbed 12 and Hammond nine. Darby also had five assists and four steals.
The Oaks were 18-of-40 from the field for 45 percent but had 21 turnovers to just 10 for the Hornets.
The Oaks were up 20-4 with 2:02 left in the first quarter when Coal Grove went on an 11-0 run over the next five minutes.
Caden Harden drained a pair of 3-pointers, Hammond had six points and Darby two baskets as the Oak took a 20-11 first quarter lead.
McKenzie had seven point and Music four to account for the Hornets’ scoring.
The Hornets had a 15-4 run over the final six minutes of the half to lead 30-27.
Music triggered the second quarter scoring spurt with 10 points including a 3-pointer and 3-for-3 at the foul line. Borders added a trey and scored five points.
But the Oaks rallied to take a 38-32 lead with 3:45 left in the third quarter and a putback by Eric Kallner made it 44-39 with 1:08 on the clock and the lead was 44-42 at the end of the quarter.
Hammond had six points in the third quarter and Darby hit a triple to go with a pair of free throws as the Oaks got the lead.
Payten Smith hit a 3-pointer and scored five points while Borders added another trifecta and Music four points for the Hornets.
The Hornets went on an 18-4 run over the final 9:08 of the game including an 8-0 run to start the fourth quarter as they surged ahead 50-44 with 2:18 left and finished off the game by outscoring the Oaks 7-4 to get the win.
McKenzie had eight points as five different players scored for the Hornets.
Oak Hill could only manage a basket each by Darby and Keaton Potter in the fourth quarter.
Coal Grove hosts Gallipolis on Friday.
Coal Grove 11 19 12 15 = 57
Oak Hill 20 7 17 4 = 48
COAL GROVE (6-2): Aaron Music 6 1 5-7 20, Cory Borders 2 2 0-0 10, Evan Gannon 0 0 2-4 2, Nate Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Jaylen McKenzie 7 0 3-3 17, Payten Smith 2 1 1-3 8. Totals: 21-50 11-17 57. 3-pt goals: 4-10. Rebounds: 22 (McKenzie 5, Gannon 5). Assists: 8 (Smith 2). Steals: 12 (McKenzie 3, Smith 3). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.
OAK HILL (8-2): Keaton Potter 2 0 0-0 4, Mason Darby 4 1 2-2 13, Eric Kallner 1 0 0-0 2, Drew Hanning 2 1 2-2 9, Colin Hughes 0 0 0-0 0, Caden Harden 1 2 0-0 8, Noah Donley 0 0 0-0 0, Chase Hammond 4 0 4-6 12. Totals: 18-40 8-10 48. 3-pt goals: 4-14. Rebounds: 33 (Darby 12, Hammond 9). Assists: 11 (Darby 5). Steals: 6 (Darby 4). Turnovers: 21. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Hammond, Harden.