FRANKLIN FURNACE – The Coal Grove Hornets picked the perfect season to play Friday’s game: Winters.

Saturday, December 23, 2000

FRANKLIN FURNACE – The Coal Grove Hornets picked the perfect season to play Friday’s game: Winters.

Not only was the weather a cold wintry night, but the Hornets fortunes rested on Winters, as in Jason Winters. The Hornets senior guard hit a 12-foot baseline jumper as time ran out to lift Coal Grove to a 45-43 come-from-behind win over the Green Bobcats Friday.

"We had a play set up where we were looking for Ryan Young, but if he wasn’t open we were going to Winters. I told him in the huddle that he had three seconds, so he took a couple of dribbles and hit a tough shot,’ Hornets coach Darrell Humphreys.

Green coach Kevin Lewis said the Bobcats did what they wanted to do defensively.

"We did a good job keeping the ball away from Young," said Lewis. "It just came down to a situation where they had the ball last, they got in their offense, and their young man made a play that won the game. Give them credit."

Young led the Hornets (3-2) with a game-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. Winters finished with nine points.

Humphreys also had praise for backups Brandon Waller and Eric Tackett even though they didn’t put up big numbers.

"Brandon Waller is a good shooter and he’s in the game at crucial times because of what he brings. Eric Tackett didn’t score, but he gave us some good minutes with (Jason) Adams in foul trouble," said Humphreys. "And Ryan Young did a good job on Poe. He’s playing great defense for us right now. He had six or seven rebounds and five assists."

Green, 3-3, was led by Alex Poe with nine points and nine rebounds. Kyle Dyer had eight points and nine rebounds. and Joe Salyers also had nine points.

The Bobcats held a commanding 35-17 rebound advantage but were just 19-of-59 from the floor for 32.2 percent.

"We did a decent job defensively, and we did a nice job on the boards. We’re still struggling to put the ball in the basket. Hopefully that will come," said Lewis.

Green had jumped out to a 16-6 first quarter lead, but the Hornets battled back to within 22-19 at the half.

Humphreys was concerned about Green’s dominance on the boards the first half and he challenged his team to play better.

"We came out tonight a little flat after the tough loss to Ironton. Green had 22 rebounds at halftime and I challenged the kids and told them that if they rebound, we’ll have a chance to win. If we don’t, we’ll get beat. I feel like it was a stalemate the second half, so the kids stepped it up ," said Humphreys.

Coal Grove outscored Green by two the third quarter to trail 34-33 and set up the thrilling finish.

Next Thursday, Coal Grove plays Portsmouth West in the Senators Holiday Tournament. Minford faces Portsmouth Notre Dame in the first game. The consolation game and championship will be on Friday.

Coal Grove 6 13 14 13 – 45

Green 16 6 12 9 – 43

COAL GROVE (3-2): Jason Winters 3 1 0-0 9, Beau Webb 1 0 0-0 2, Ryan Young 5 2 0-1 16, Joe Sark 2 0 0-0 4, Jason Adams 4 0 0-0 8, Brandon Waller 0 2 0-1 6, Eric Tackett 0 0 0-2 0. Totals: 15 5 0-4 45. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 17 (Young 7). Assists: 19 (Young 5, Sark 4, Adams 4, Winters 4). Blocked shots: Sark 3.

GREEN (3-3): Brad Bainer 2 0 0-0 4, Kyle Dyer 4 0 0-0 8, Alex Poe 3 1 0-0 9, Jacob Yarnell 4 0 0-0 8, Joe Salyers 3 0 3-4 9, Josh Gustin 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 19-59 (2) 3-4 43. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 35 (Poe 9, K. Dyer 9). Assists: 10 (Bainer 4). Turnovers: 12.