Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

RACELAND, Ky. — This one was for the defense.
Using a tough defensive effort, the Coal Grove Hornets opened the season with a 34-26 win over the Raceland Rams on Saturday.
“I was very proud of their effort. We played pretty good defense. I was happy with that,” said Hornets’ coach Kevin Vanderhoof.
“It was the first game and we started three kids who have never played varsity before. We were really patient which is what we wanted and we had good intensity, we just didn’t shoot well. But our defense was there. It was a good win for us.”
Aaron Music and Jordan Case scored 9 points each to lead the Hornets. Rylie Potter had 11 points for the Rams (0-3).
Coal Grove led 10-9 after the first quarter as Case scored 4 points. It was 16-13 at the half.
Jeb Jones and Case had 4 points each in the third quarter as Coal Grove built a 29-20 lead.
Coal Grove held a 31-26 rebound advantage.
“I was happy we out-rebounded them,” said Vanderhoof.
The Hornets host Portsmouth Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Coal Grove    10    6    13    5    =    34
Raceland    9    4    7    6    =    26
COAL GROVE (1-0): Daniel Rutherford 3 0 0-2 6, Mark Sites 0 0 2-5 2, Jones 3 0 2-6 8, Jordan Case 4 0 1-3 9, Aaron Music 2 1 2-2 9, Nate Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Evan Gannon 0 0 0-0 0, Elijah Roman 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 1 7-18 34. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 9-O, 22-D = 31. Turnovers: 18.
RACELAND (0-3): Trey Mills 1 0 0-0 2, Austin Bays 0 1 1-2 4, Rylie Potter 5 0 1-5 11, Travis Weaver 1 0 0-2 2, Kirk Pence 1 1 0-0 5, Brock Hapney 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 9 2 2-9 26. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 5-O, 21-D = 26.