Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — It was a teeter-totter game.

The Coal Grove Hornets scored in double figures in the first quarter, single digits in the second, double figures in the third and single digits again in the fourth.

This up-and-down performance as too much to overcome as the Portsmouth Trojans rallied to beat the Hornets 54-46 on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Coal Grove had three players in double figures led by Joe Akers with 14 points. Sean Paulus scored 12 and Austen Pleasants added 11.

Both Paulus and Akers made two 3-pointers each.

Ky’re Allison scored 14 points as Portsmouth also had three players in double digits. Sky Oliver scored 10 points and Ethan Leonard came off the bench to score 10.

Alex Dickerson had eight points and 11 rebounds for the Trojans (10-4, 6-2).

Coal Grove (6-8, 3-5) jumped out to a 21-11 lead, but Portsmouth rallied in the second quarter and tied the game 27-27 at the half.

The Trojans didn’t take their first lead until the seven-minute mark of the third quarter when Kendall Reynolds was fouled on a 3-point attempt and converted all three free throw attempts and it was 30-29.

Coal Grove tied the game at 30 but Oliver hit back-to-back 3-pointers and the Trojans to lead 36-30.

The Hornets then rallied to pull even at 38 to end the third quarter.

But Portsmouth outscored Coal Grove 16-8 in the fourth quarter to get the win.

Coal Grove will host Fairland on Tuesday in a league game. Portsmouth visits South Point on Tuesday.

Coal Grove 21 6 11 8 = 46

Portsmouth 11 16 11 16 = 54

COAL GROVE (6-8, 3-5): Travis Carey 2 0 0 4, Sean Paulus 3 2 0 12, Brandon Adkins 2 0 1 5, Joe Akers 4 2 0 14, Austen Pleasants 5 0 1 11. Totals: 16 4 2 46.

PORTSMOUTH (10-4, 6-2): Sky Oliver 1 2 2 10, Ethan Leonard 1 2 2 10, Ky’re Allison 5 0 4 14, Alex Dickerson 1 2 0 8, J.J. Josey 1 0 0 2, Kendall Reynolds 0 1 3 6, Hunter Gibson 2 0 0 4. Totals: 10 7 11 54.