Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — One thing the Coal Grove Lady Hornets didn’t lack was heart.
Even though Coal Grove fell behind and was unable to completely overcome the deficit in a 48-46 loss to the Oak Hill Lady Oaks on Thursday, they didn’t go down without a fight.
The Lady Hornets fell behind by as many as 12 points in the second half due mainly to turnovers.
“Too many turnovers in the first half were costly. We let the turnovers follow us into the beginning of the third quarter and got down by as many as 12,” said Coal Grove coach Rick Roach.
“My girls decided not to give up and fought back hard to tie the game up. It got aggressive close to the end and we had to give up some fouls.”
Coal Grove (4-3) was led by Emily Compliment with 15 points while Lauren Crum had 11 points and Kasey Murphy added 10.
Bethany Blanton scored 21 points and Caitlyn Brisker had 16 to lead the Lady Oaks.
The game was tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter as Crum scored 5 points and Brisker had 6 for Oak Hill.
Blanton hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 9 points in the second quarter as Oak Hill went ahead 26-20 at the half.
Brisker scored 9 points including a pair of triples to put the Lady Oaks up by 12 points, but Murphy scored 6 points and Compliment had 4 more as Coal Grove cut the deficit to 35-32.
Compliment had 7 points in the fourth quarter but Blanton made a pair of 3-pointers and scored 9 points as the Lady Oaks escaped with the win.
Coal Grove visits Rose Hill on Friday, Dec. 30. The Lucasville Valley game has been rescheduled for Jan. 7.
Oak Hill    13    13    9    13    =    48
Coal Grove    13    7    12    14    =    46
OAK HILL: Cariee Dempsey 2 0 0-0 4, Bailey Ward 0 0 0-2 0, Caitlyn Brisker 6 2 4-7 16, Jalea Caldwell 0 0 0-1 0, Bethany Blanton 3 4 3-4 21, Rileigh Swingle 0 0 0-1 0, Payton Crabtree 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 18-35 6-13 48. 3-point goals: 6. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Ward.
COAL GROVE (4-3): Bailey McKnight 1 0 2-4 4, Emily Compliment 6 1 0-0 15, Kasey Murphy 4 0 2-3 10, Destiny Dolen 0 0 4-4 4, Lauren Crum 3 1 2-4 11, Emileigh Bryant 1 0 0-0 2, Kylie Deer 0 0 0-0 0, Jaida Smith 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-45 10-13 46. 3-point goals: 2. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Crum (4th).