Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Coal Grove Hornets can play defense, too.

While the Hornets have had no trouble scoring, they put on a defensive clinic Friday as they beat the Rock Hill Redmen 59-32 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

The Hornets limited Rock Hill to single digit scoring in each of the first three quarters including 12 total points in the first half.

Coal Grove (2-1, 1-1) still generated some offense led by Conor Markins with 21 points. Sean Paulus hit four 3-pointers and scored 12 points.

Austin Collins had 14 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Redmen (0-4, 0-2).

“We didn’t shoot the ball very well, but Coal Grove is a good team,” said Rock Hill coach Dave Hopper.

Paulus drained three 3-pointers and Markins scored 7 points in the first quarter as Coal Grove took an 18-7 lead.

Markins scored 6 more points in the second quarter as Coal Grove opened up a 33-12 halftime cushion.

Rock Hill did outscore the Hornets 9-6 in the third quarter to make it 39-21, but Coal Grove took a 20-11 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter to win going away.

Coal Grove 18 15 6 20 = 59

Rock Hill 7 5 9 11 = 32

COAL GROVE (2-1, 1-1): Travis Carey 1 0 0-0 2, Isaac Fields 0 0 0-0 0, Jonathan Joseph 0 1 0-0 3, Sean Paulus 0 4 0-0 12, Isaiah Gunther 0 0 3-6 3, Brandon Adkins 3 0 0-1 6, D.J. Miller 2 0 0-0 4, Joe Akers 2 0 0-0 4, Conor Markins 7 2 1-4 21, Austin Pleasants 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 17 7 4-11 59. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (0-4, 0-2): Aaron Dalton 0 0 0-1 0, Alex Nance 0 0 0-0 0, Blankenship 0 1 1-4 4, Joey Stidham 1 1 3-8 8, Austin Collins 5 0 4-9 14, Brady Knipp 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Hairston 2 0 1-4 5, Austin Barcus 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 8 2 10-28 32. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.