Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — The late country singer Jerry Reed once sang, “When you’re hot, you’re hot.” The song could have been the theme music for the Coal Grove Hornets and Symmes Valley Vikings on Saturday.

With both teams shooting well from the field, the Hornets outlasted the Vikings 75-61 to remain unbeaten.

Coal Grove (4-0) hit 26 of 47 from the floor for 55.3 percent. The Hornets were 6 of 18 from the 3-point line for 33 percent.

Symmes Valley was 26 of 44 from the field for 59 percent including 5 of 8 from behind the arc for 62.5 percent.

The difference was at the foul line. The Hornets converted 17 of 31 free throw attempts and the Vikings were 7 of 12.

Coal Grove had three players in double figures led by Alex Bare and Sean Paulus with 18 points each. Conor Markins scored 13 points.

Paulus was 4 of 7 from the 3-point line.

Symmes Valley was led by Ausitn Baldwin with a game-high 19 points. Tyler Rowe had 15 points and D.J. Miller scored 13 including 4 of 6 from long-range.

Coal Grove led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter and eased its way to a 35-27 margin at the half.

The Hornets were up 56-43 after three quarters as they maintained a lead between 8 to 12 points for most of the game.

But the Vikings battled back and cut the gap to 61-55 with 3:30 to play.

Paulus — whose point total was a career-high — hit a jumper with 3:05 left and then drained a 3-pointer with 2:45 to go that opened up a 67-55 lead and forced the Vikings to foul.

Coal Grove will play at pre-season favorite Chesapeake on Tuesday as the teams open Ohio Valley Conference play.

Symmes Valley visits Oak Hill Tuesday in a non-league game.

Symmes Valley 12 15 16 18 = 61

Coal Grove 16 19 21 19 = 75

SYMMES VALLEY (1-2): Alec Herrell 1-2 0-0 1-2 3, Tanner Conley 1-5 0-0 1-2 3, Austin Baldwin 8-12 1-2 0-0 19 Mitch Corn 3-3 0-0 1-2 7, Clayton Toney 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Jonathan Kouns 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, D.J. Miller 0-2 4-6 1-2 13, Tyler Rowe 6-8 0-0 3-4 15, Dylan Malone 1-2 0-0 0-0 2. Totals: 26-44 7-12 55. 3-point goals: 5-8. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Corn.

COAL GROVE (4-0): Conor Markins 2-5 1-5 8-13 15, Alex Bare 8-17 0-2 2-4 18, Brandon Adkins 2-7 1-2 1-2 8, Sean Paulus 2-3 4-7 2-2 18, Austin “Red” Pleasants 1-1 0-0 0-2 2, Isaiah Gunther 3-3 0-1 3-6 9, Kyle Estep 2-3 0-1 1-2 5 Joe Akers 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 26-47 17-31 75. 3-point goals: 6-18. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.