Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

JACKSON — The Coal grove Hornets decided to use the “Lost And Found” department.

After losing their shooters and the lead, the other Hornets found a way to get the offense re-started and then found their way to a 52-46 come-from-behind win over the Rock Hill Redmen on Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

The Hornets led by as many as eight points in the first half but lost Travis Carey and Jordan Lucas to foul trouble and fell behind by as many as 11 points.

“They kids played together as a team. Carey got into foul trouble early and Jordan got in foul trouble and we lost our shooters and the offense started to struggle,” said Hornets’ coach Jay Lucas.

“Then it seemed like the other guys kind of picked up the slack and bought us enough time until we were able to get back into a groove later in the game and we were able to bring those guys back in.”

The Hornets led 14-9 at the end of the first quarter after Daniel Rutherford hit a pair of free throws just before the end of the stanza.

A baseline shot by Joe Akers pushed the Hornets’ lead to 20-12 with 3:37 left in the half, but Rock Hill closed the half win a 7-0 run as Trystan Matney’s foul shot with five-tenths of a second left got the Redmen within 20-19 at the half.

Jake Falls hit a 12-footer, Matney made a free throw, Falls drained a 3-pointer and Alex Nance had a layup as Rock Hill stormed out of the gate to start the second half and went ahead 27-20.

A layup by Austin Collins, a stickback by Nance and a layup by Falls extended the lead to 33-22 with 1:22 on the clock.

Jordan Lucas made a foul shot and then stole the ball and made a layup just before the buzzer a Coal Grove cut the deficit to 33-25.

Austin Barcus converted a 3-point play with 5:34 left and the Redmen led 38-28.

Carey hit a layup and Brandon Adkins got a steal and was fouled. He made the two free throws and it was 38-32.

Akers knocked down a pair of 3-balls including one with 2:49 left to tie the game at 40.

Collins sank a foul shot but a layup by Adkins gave Coal Grove the lead for good with 2:33 to play.

Carey’s trifecta with 53 seconds to play opened up a 48-43 lead. Carey then followed up his own shot and it was 50-43. Lucas converted two foul shots with 14 seconds left to give the Hornets a 52-43 lead.

Coach Lucas said the defense was a key in the comeback by causing six turnovers in the fourth quarter.

“The kids played exceptionally well on the defensive end of the floor pretty much the whole game. They hustled and played hard and that’s what really kept us in the game,” said coach Lucas.

Coal Grove (12-10) had four players in double figures led by Carey with 12. Adkins, Akers and Lucas scored 10 each.

Collins scored 14 points, had 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals to lead the Redmen. Barcus had 12 points and five rebounds while Matney grabbed six rebounds.

“Austin’s a great player. We guarded him with two or three different players and tried to change up the defense with him. He’s a hard man to try and contain. He’s a good scorer,” said coach Lucas.

Coal Grove will now play Fairland at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the sectional finals. The two teams split their regular season games.

“We’ve got to play our game and do what we do. Everybody knows it’s a new season. In the basketball tournament, if somebody is hitting one day, anybody can beat anybody. We’re just hoping we’ll play well,” said coach Lucas.

Rock Hill 9 10 14 13 = 46

Coal Grove 14 6 5 27 = 52

ROCK HILL (6-17): Nathan Turvey 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Collins 3 1 5-8 14, Jake Falls 2 1 1-1 8, Trystan Matney 1 0 2-5 4, Austin Barcus 5 0 2-5 12, Tyler Damron 0 0 0-0 0, Alex Nance 3 0 0-0 6, Tim Adkins 0 0 0-0 0, Tanner Martin 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-39 10-19 46. 3-point goals: 1-5. Rebounds: 9-off. 25-def. = 34 (Collins 13, Matney 6, Barcus 5). Team rebounds: 2. Assists: 7 (Collins 4, Turvey 3). Steals: 5 (Collins 2). Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Matney (4th 2:19).

COAL GROVE (12-10): Travis Carey 4 1 1-4 12, Jordan Lucas 2 1 3-5 10, Chase McKnight 1 0 1-2 3, Brandon Akins 4 0 2-4 10, Joe Akers 2 2 0-0 10, Daniel Rutherford 2 0 3-5 7, Isaac Fields 0 0 0-0 0, Cole Gannon 0 0 0-0 0, Dalton Miller 0 0 0-0 0, Jake Myers 0 0 0-0 0, Jeb Jones 0 0 0-0 0, Sam Angelo 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-43 10-20 52. 3-point goals: 7-15. Rebounds: 5-off. 18-def. = 23 (Adkins 9, Akers 5). Team rebounds: 3. Assists: 8 (McKnight 2, Akers 2). Steals: 9 (Lucas 4, Adkins 2). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.