COAL GROVE – We just need a lead.

Saturday, January 13, 2001

COAL GROVE – We just need a lead. Any kind of lead. Coal Grove Hornets head coach Darrell Humphreys knew what kind of game it would be, and he knew just what it would take to win.

"We said at halftime that whoever hits a spurt and gets up four or six will win, and that’s what we were able to do. I think our biggest lead was seven," said Humphreys.

Getting the short but important lead in the second half was just what the Hornets needed as they edged the Fairland Dragons 54-49 in an Ohio Valley Conference game Friday.

The game was tied 29-29 at the half. Fairland had taken an 18-14 lead behind nine points by Josh Dunfee. Ryan Young kept Coal Grove close with eight points.

Young had eight more points the second quarter as Coal Grove rallied to tie the game at 29-29.

"We were concerned with Fairland because they do such a good job of running their offense and keeping the game close," said Humphreys. "Fairland did a really good job on the boards. The two Jones kids (J.W. and K.C.) had a really nice game."

Coal Grove’s spurt the third quarter created a 41-37 lead. You and Jason Winters had four points each the fourth quarter and Eric Tackett made two foul shots that sealed the win.

Young had 22 points to lead the Hornets, 6-4 and 1-1 in the OVC.

J. W. Jones scored 12 points and K. C. Jones 11 to lead the Dragons (1-8, 0-3).

Humphreys said it took a total team effort to get the win.

"Joe Sark was hurting but he gutted it out," said Humphreys.

"Ryan Young had a nice night for us. Two key kids for us were Jason Adams because of his speed in transition scoring and getting the ball to the right guy, and Jacob Ball who had six points. With (Sark) hurting, he came in and played solid defense against (Glen) Chapman. We’re hoping to have Beau (Webb) back next week. Eric Tackett has done a nice job for us."

Fairland fell to 1-8 and 0-3.

Fairland 18 11 8 12 – 49

Coal Grove 14 15 12 13 – 54

FAIRLAND (1-8, 0-3): Josh Dunfee 3 1 0-0 9, Darren Colburn 1 0 1-2 3, Drew Brooks 1 0 0-0 2, Chris Dinwiddie 2 0 0-0 4, Brad Taliaferro 0 0 0-0 0, J. W. Jones 4 0 4-5 12, Kyle Leadmon 1 0 0-0 2, K. C. Jones 4 1 0-0 11, Glen Chapman 3 0 2-2 8. Totals: 16 2 7-9 49. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (6-4, 1-1): Jason Winters 2 1 1-2 8, Jacob Ball 3 0 0-3 6, Justin Gibson 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Potter 0 0 0-0 0, Brandon Waller 0 0 0-0 0, Ryan Young 11 0 0-1 22, Eric Tackett 2 0 2-2 6, Joe Sark 2 0 0-0 4, Jason Adams 3 0 2-6 8. Totals: 24-44 (1) 5-14 54. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. Assists: 14 (Adams 7).