COAL GROVE — Playing good teams is bringing out the best in the Coal Grove Lady Hornets.

Playing back-to-back games against Ashland (Ky.) and Wheelersburg is a plus according to coach Nick Miller, especially after a 45-42 win over the Lady Pirates Saturday.

“That’s a good win for us. They were ranked fifth in our seeding. Playing Ashland and Wheelersburg at the end should help us,” said Miller.

“We played well defensively. It was a good team win against a good team.”

Samantha Hall turned in a big game for the Lady Hornets (14-4) with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Brittany Harrison had 6 rebounds, Jordyn Cox 8 points and 4 assists and Chelsea Markins 3 steals.

Jessica Blanton scored 13 points and Sarah Schmidt 12 for Wheelersburg (10-6).

Coal Grove led 7-4 after the first quarter, but Blanton hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Wheelersburg the lead.

Cox scored 5 points over the final minute of the half as Coal Grove regained the lead at 19-18.

Hall took command with 9 pionts in the third quarter and the lead remained at 34-33.

In the fourth quarter, Hall got 5 more points and Harrison sank two pressure-pack foul shots with five seconds left to give Coal Grove a 45-42 lead. The Lady Pirates missed a 20-footer at the buzzer.

Wheelersburg414159=42

Coal Grove7121511=45

WHEELERSBURG (10-6): Jamie Clevenger 3 0 0-0 6, Sarah Schmidt 3 2 0-0 12, Jessica Blanton 2 3 0-0 13, Brittany Warner 1 0 0-0 2, Kate Staker 1 0 2-2 4, Jacqui Thayer 1 0 0-0 2, Lannie Clay 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 12

5

3-4

42. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (14-4): Samantha Zornes 0 0 1-2 1, Brittany Harrison 1 0 2-2 4, Danielle Carpenter 1 0 1-2 3, Jordyn Cox 2 1 1-2 8, Chelsea Delong 0 0 0-0 0, Chelsea Markins 1 1 1-4 6, Samantha Hall 10

0

3-4 23. Totals: 17-45

9-16

45. 3-point goals: 2-12. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 7-24=31 (Hall 11, Harrison 6). Assists: 8 (Cox 4). Steals: 5 (Markins 3). Turnovers: 12.