Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — That roar you heard Thursday night wasn’t a NASCAR engine. It was the Coal Grove Lady Hornets’ offense starting their game against the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings.

Coal Grove roared to a 19-4 first quarter lead and went on to beat the Lady Vikings 53-38.

Jacy Jones scored 8 points in the first quarter to key the fast start.

“We came out scoring pretty well the first quarter because of our defense we were applying,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach. “Darrien Hankins played a good game. She is a very physical player and it was definitely physical.

“Jones and Adkins did a good job of penetrating and getting some good looks at the basket and that caused some of their girls to commit some fouls.”

Ashley Adkins had 17 points and Jones scored 13 to lead the offense for Coal Grove (5-2). Hankins had a strong game with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Kayla Hayes and Kaitlyn Payne scored 8 points each for Symmes Valley (4-5).

After the first quarter, Symmes Valley was able to match the Lady Hornets over the next three quarters as both teams scored 34 points.

“We can’t get down in the first quarter,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker. “But we didn’t give up. We fought back. But we can’t start like this against a team like Coal Grove.”

The Lady Hornets were 19 of 24 from the foul line including Adkins who went 7-for-7. In a loss last week to Rock Hill, Coal Grove was 14 of 34 at the line.

“We haven’t been shooting free throws too well the last couple of games. We talked about that and the girls did a better job of finishing the game at the line,” said Roach.

Coal Grove led 30-16 at the half. Both teams scored 12 points in the third quarter as Adkins scored 7 points and Jones 5 more for the Lady Hornets.

The Lady Vikings used balanced scoring as Merranda Hayes scored 3 points and Malenna Davis hit a 3-pointer.

The Lady Hornets managed to outscore the Lady Vikings 11-10 in the fourth quarter.

“We had some girls come off the bench and do some good things. Leslie Mulkey is a great defender, so when we had a starter in foul trouble I knew she would come in and play they way she is capable of playing,” said Roach.

Coal Grove plays Lincoln County next Thursday and St. Joseph on Friday in the Dr. Paulus Tournament. Symmes Valley visits South Gallia on Saturday.

Coal Grove 19 11 12 11 = 53

Sym. Valley 4 12 12 10 = 38

COAL GROVE (5-2): Jacy Jones 2 2 3-4 13, Katey Erwin 1 0 2-3 4, Brittany Webb 0 0 0-0 0, Leah Crum 0 0 2-2 2, Leslie Mulkey 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Fleming 1 0 0-0 2, Ashley Adkins 5 0 7-7 17, Ashley Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Morgan Sites 2 0 1-2 5, Darrien Hankins 3 0 4-6 10. Totals: 14 2 19-24 54. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (4-5): Malenna Davis 0 1 0-0 3, Merranda Hayes 1 0 1-1 3, Breanna Brumfield 0 0 0-0 0, Gracie Waddell 3 0 0-1 6, Elly Fulks 1 0 0-0 2, Kayla Hayes 2 0 4-6 8, Kalli Hunt 1 0 4-6 6, Megan Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Sarah Crabtree 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Payne 3 0 2-4 8, Taylor Michael 1 0 0-2 2. Totals: 12 1 11-20 38. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: None.