Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — It was a night of first.

Tuesday’s game marked the first Ohio Valley Conference game for the Gallipolis Blue Devils. It was also the first game as head coach for Coal Grove’s Kevin Vanderhoof.

And when the Hornets rallied in the fourth quarter for a 60-53 win, Vanderhoof and the Hornets had their first win.

Daniel Rutherford had 19 points to lead the Hornets. Cole Gannon finished with 14 points, Chase McKnight 13 and Sam Anglo added 10.

Wes Jarrell scored a game-high 24 points — 16 in the first half — to lead Gallipolis (0-1). Devin Henry had 13 points.

Gallipolis took a 14-11 first quarter lead and led 34-25 at the half.

The Blue Devils were ahead 43-34 with 3:10 to go in the third quarter only to have the Hornets then cut the deficit to 44-38 at the end of the stanza.

After Gallipolis led most of the game, McKnight hit a pair of free throws with 6:32 left to tie the game at 45.

Jaylen McKenzie then came up with a steal and was fouled. He made both free throws and Coal Grove led 47-45.

Gallipolis tied the game but McKnight answered with two more foul shots and a 49-47 lead with five minutes left in regulation.

The Hornets held their biggest lead at 51-47 with 4:25 on the clock and Gannon hit the first of two free throws for a 56-53 lead with 12 seconds to go and added two more foul shots seconds later to set the final score.

The Hornets were clutch at the foul line in the fourth quarter as they converted 13-of-20 free throws.

Coal Grove visits Raceland next Tuesday.

Gallipolis 14 20 10 9 = 53

Coal Grove 11 14 13 22 = 60

GALLIPOLIS (0-1, 0-1): Mike Cornwell 0 2 0-0 6, Wes Jarrell 10 0 4-7 24, Evan Wiseman 1 0 2-2 4, Kole Carter 3 0 0-0 6, Devin Henry 5 0 3-5 13, Kaden Thomas 0 0 0-0 0, Russell Matthew 0 0 0-0 0, Justin McClelland 0 0 0-0 0, Drew VanSickle 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 2 9-15 53. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (1-0, 1-0): Cole Gannon 0 3 5-6 14, Daniel Rutherford 8 0 3-3 19, Dalton Miller 0 0 0-0 0, Sam Angelo 3 1 1-2 10, Alijah Roman 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Musick 0 0 0-0 0, Mark Sites 0 0 0-0 0, Jaylen McKenzie 0 0 3-6 3, Chase McKnight 2 1 6-8 13, Jeb Jones 0 0 1-4 1. Totals: 13 5 19-29 60. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.