Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — To coach Rick Roach, turnovers is a four-letter word.
Coal Grove’s worst enemy was 24 turnovers — 12 coming in the first quarter as the Fairland Lady Dragons took a 25-5 lead en route to a 60-45 Ohio Valley Conference win on Thursday.
“We came out super flat and got down 25-5,” said Roach. “The girls looked defeated as they came to the bench and I told them to just keep playing.
“We fought hard for the next three quarters and did some good things. My girls fought hard the whole time. I’m super proud.”
Jackie Wagner scored 17 points off the bench to lead the Lady Dragons (14-2, 9-1). Emily Chapman scored 12 points and Kelsie Warnock added 11 points.
Emily Compliment and Lauren Crum scored 14 points each for Coal Grove (10-7, 5-5).
Destiny Dolen had seven rebounds and two assists, Crum had four rebounds, Compliment three steals and Bailee McKnight had two steals.
Wagner scored seven points and Alesha Simpson and Warnock six pints each in the first quarter scoring explosion.
Crum hit a 3-pointer and joined Compliment with four points each in the quarter as Coal Grove cut the deficit to 34-17 at the half.
The Lady Hornets got seven points from Crum and Compliment as they sliced the Fairland lead to 46-31.
Bailee McKnight hit a 3-pointer and went 4-of-4 at the foul line as Coal Grove got within eight points in the fourth quarter, but Chapman scored seven points including a 3-pointer and 2-of-2 at the foul line while Allie Marshall hit a clutch 3-pointer as Fairland pulled away.
“We allowed their height and speed to intimidate us early,” said Roach. “We kept fighting after the half and got as close as eight points midway through the fourth quarter.
“Fairland’s depth took over and they went on a run and we couldn’t recover.”
Fairland hosts Portsmouth West on Saturday and South Point on Monday. Coal Grove visits Gallipolis on Monday.
Fairland    25    9    12    14    =    60
Coal Grove    5    12    14    13    =    45
FAIRLAND (14-2, 9-1): Allie Marshall 1 1 2-2 7, Taylor Wilson 1 0 0-2 2, Emily Chapman 1 2 4-5 12, Kelsie Warnock 2 2 1-1 11, Alesha Simpson 2 1 1-1 8, Karli Fuller 0 0 0-0 0, Morgan Fridley 1 0 0-0 2, Jenna Stone 0 0 0-0 0, Issy McKinney 0 0 1-2 1, Jackie Wagner 8 0 1-2 17. Totals: 22-57 10-15 60. 3-point goals: 6. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Simpson.
COAL GROVE (10-7, 5-5): Bailee McKnight 0 1 6-6 9, Kylie Deer 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Compliment 6 0 2-3 14, Kasey Murphy 3 0 0-0 6, Destiny Dolen 0 0 2-2 2, Lauren Crum 3 1 5-7 14, Emileigh Bryant 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-34 15-18 45. 3-point goals: 2-11. Rebounds: 6-O, 11-D = 17 (Dolen 7, Crum 4). Assists: 2 (Dolen 2). Steals: 6 (Compliment 3, McKnight 2). Blocked shots: 2 (Dolen, Compliment). Turnovers: 24. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.