By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Teamwork.

The guards did their job getting the ball inside and the center did her job getting the basket as the Coal Grove Lady Hornets used teamwork and defense to beat the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 44-28 Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“Our guards (Kendall Taylor and Kinsey Keeney) handled the ball well and got the ball to Jenna (Anson) in good position and she did a great job of finishing. Alivia (Noel) had another nick game.”

Anson scored 16 points and Noel scored 14 to lead the Lady Hornets offense.

Jenna Anson scored 4 points as 4 different players scored and Coal Grove took a 9-6 lead.

Lola Hankins, Lexi McCall and Emerson White had baskets for Ironton.

The Lady Hornets extended their lead to 16-8 at the half as Alivia Noel hit from behind the arc and scored all 7 of Coal Grove’s points.

Addison Neal had the lone Ironton basket.

Coal Grove continued to add onto its lead in the third quarter as Noel and Anson scored 4 points each and Kinsy Keeney got a 3-pointer to make it 27-13.

Peyton Deer and Chasity Cecil had baskets for Ironton.

The offenses picked up in the fourth quarter as Coal Grove outscored Ironton 17-15.

“We played great defense through three quarters,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Nick Miller. “We held them to 13 points going into the fourth quarter and Ironton made a run, but we were able to hold them off.”

Keeney hit another trey and scored 5 points, Anson had 6 points and Isabelle Kitts made a long-range shot for 3 more points as Coal Grove outscored Ironton 17-15.

Emerson White scored 6 points, Hankins scored 4 and Deer hit a trey for Ironton.

Ironton (1-2, 1-1) was led by White with 9 points and Hankins scored 6.

On Monday, Coal Grove goes to Portsmouth while Ironton host Fairland on Monday.

Ironton     6 2 5 15 = 28

Coal Grove 9 7 11 17 = 44

IRONTON (1-2, 1-1): Peyton Deer 1 1 0-0 5, Lola Hankins 3 0 0-0 6, Addison Neal 1 0 0-0 2, Lexi McCall 1 0 0-4 2, Chasity Cecil 1 0 0-0 2, Addison Murray 0 0 0-0 0, Mia Weber 1 0 0-0 2, Emerson White 4 0 1-2 9. Totals: 12 1 1-6 28. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (2-3, 1-1): Kendall Taylor 1 0 0-0 2, Kinsy Keeney 1 2 0-2 8, Kasey Vanderhoof 0 0 0-0 0, Alivia Noel 4 1 3-8 14, Isabelle Kitts 0 1 1-2 4, Jenna Anson 7 0 2-2 16, Klara Klaiber 0 0 0-0 0, Abbie Deeds 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 4 6-14 44. Fouls: 7. Fouled out: None.