By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — It looks like the hot water heater was broken for the Coal Grove Lady Hornets opener.

The Lady Hornets shot a frigid 23 percent from the field in a 43-37 loss to the Vinton County Lady Vikings on Wednesday.

Coal Grove trailed by 16 points at the half before cutting the deficit to just 4 points only to fall just short.

“Right now, five of my top eight in the rotation are freshmen, so I expected some nervousness,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Nick Miller.

“Our shooting percentage was awful. I think we will settle down and play better next time. Alivia Noel had a solid all-around game.”

Noel — a senior — had 20 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Lady Hornets.

Kylie Smith scored 8 points in the first quarter as the Lady Vikings took a 12-8 lead. Jenna Anson had all 4 of her points for Coal Grove.

Vinton’s Morgan Davis knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and Emma Leaming had 4 points in the second quarter as Vinton County opened up a 27-11 lead at the half.

Coal Grove mounted a comeback in the third quarter and trailed 30-21.

Noel scored 5 points and Kinsey Keeney rang up a trifecta to spark the Lady Hornets rally.

Davis hit a triple for the Lady Vikings only basket of the quarter.

Noel got the hot hand in the fourth quarter as she scored 11 points including a triple and Kendall Taylor also had a 3-pointer for Coal Grove who outscored Vinton County 16-13.

But Smith scored 7 points including 3-of-5 at the foul line in the fourth quarter with Lakin Williams going 2-for-2 at the line as Vinton County held on for the win.

Smith got 17 points to pace the Lady Vikings.

Vinton County    12 15 3 13 = 43

Coal Grove 8 3 10 16 = 37

VINTON COUNTY (1-0): Lakin Williams 0 0 2-2 2, Trinity Willims 1 0 0-0 2, Leila Haislop 0 0 0-0 0, Gwen Davidson 1 0 0-0 2, Kylie Smith 7 0 3-5 17, McKenna Thompson 2 0 1-2 5, Caryssa Brisker 0 0 0-0 0, Morgan Davis 0 3 0-1 0, Emma Leaming 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 14 3 6-10 49. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (0-1): Shay Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Kendall Taylor 0 1 2-3 5, Kinsey Keeney 1 1 0-0 5, Kasey Vanderhoof 0 0 0-0 0, Alivia Noel 7 1 3-6 20, Isabelle Kitts 1 0 0-0 2, Jenna Anson 1 0 2-4 4, Klara Klaiber 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 13-65 8-15 37. 3-pt goals: 3-23. Rebounds: 20-O, 17-D = 37 (Noel 9). Assists: 8. Turnovers: 10. Steals: 11. Fouls: 14 Fouled out: Keeney.