Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Paladin’s calling card said, “Have Gun, Will Travel.” If Ashley Adkins had a similar card, it might read, “Need Points, Will Clutch-up.”

Adkins scored 17 points including the go-ahead 3-pointer that gave Coal Grove the lead for good as the Lady Hornets edged the St. Joseph Female Flyers 51-47 Friday in the Dr. Paulus Heart of Champions Classic.

“That’s what you get from your clutch player,” said Coal Grove coach Rick Roach. “Once we got the lead I felt my girls did a good job of staying calm and staying in control.”

Darrien Hankins scored 12 points and Jacy Jones had 5 assists for the Lady Hornets (7-2).

Hannah Miller led all scorers with 28 points for the Female Flyers (8-2). Amber Neal scored 13.

“I don’t think anyone wanted to touch (Miller) because they would have been burnt to a crisp. She was on fire. She is an outstanding player,” said Roach. “Both teams played a good, clean game of basketball on both ends of the court.”

The game was tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter. St. Joseph took a 28-26 halftime lead.

The Lady Hornets rallied to tie the game in the third quarter at 41 before Akins drained her trey with 15 seconds to play.

St. Joseph 13 15 13 6 = 47

Coal Grove 13 13 15 10 = 51

ST. JOSEPH (8-2): Katie Roach 0, Hannah Martin 2, Amber Neal 13, Rachel Martin 0, Hannah Miller 28, Sarah Snowden 0, Haley Bartram 0, Molly Miller 2, Lynsey Booker 2. Totals: 11 6 7-8 47. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: H. Martin.

COAL GROVE (7-2): Jacy Jones 6, Katey Erwin 5, Leah Crum 0, Taylor Fleming 5, Ashley Adkins 17, Morgan Sites 6, Darrien Hankins 12. Totals: 13 5 10-16 51. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.