JACKSON — Maybe the Coal Grove Hornets should have brought along a case of some 5-hour energy drinks.

The Alexander Spartans used their depth to wear down the Hornets and post a 58-38 win on Friday to claim the Division III sectional tournament.

The Hornets led for most of the first half and trailed just 23-20 at the half. But Alexander outscored Coal Grove 15-4 in the third quarter while forcing six turnovers.

“That really turned the game around,” said Hornets’ coach Randy Ward.

“When we gave up three layups in a row, that was a sign we were getting tired and they took advantage of it. We didn’t have the depth and they just rotated players in and out.”

When the Hornets were fresh to start the game, they took a 13-9 first quarter lead as five different players scored.

A layup by Devin Monnier to begin the second quarter gave Coal Grove its biggest lead at 15-9. But Eric Tolar converted a three-point play and Greg Frost made two straight layups to put Alexander up 16-15.

Monnier hit a 3-pointer to extend the lead, but Michael Chapman hit a 3-pointer just before the end of the half and it was 23-18. Wayne Sparks’ layup off a passed from Eric Edens cut the deficit to 23-20.

Not only did the Spartans outscore the Hornets on the scoreboard in the third quarter, Coal Grove made just 1-of-7 shots. They were only 5-of-15 from the field in the fourth quarter and finished 14-of-40 for the game for 35 percent.

Monnier had a game-high 16 points to lead Coal Grove. Sparks added nine points and seven rebounds and Edens finished with eight points, two steals and five assists.

Alexander (17-4) was led by Frost with 14 points.

Despite the loss to end the season, Ward was pleased with the team’s accomplishments. Of the Hornets’ nine losses, only one was by more than eight points and two came in overtime.

“When you look at how far we’ve come after not winning a game two years ago, I’m proud of what these kids have achieved. They gave me great effort all the time,” said Ward.

Coal Grove 13 7 4 14 = 38

Alexander 9 14 15 20 = 58

COAL GROVE (13-9): Eric Edens 3 0 2-3 8, Evan Ferguson 1 0 1-2 3, Devin Monnier 3 2 4-4 16, Wayne Sparks 3 1 0-0 9, Dane Haukedahl 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Damron 1 0 0-0 2, Shannon Goodwin 0 0 0-0 0, Rye Goodwin 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Pauley 0 0 0-0 0, Colton Bryant 0 0 0-0 0, Bryan Jenkins 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-40 7-9 38. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Sparks (4th 6:15). 3-point goals: 3-13. Rebounds: 7-16=23 (Sparks 7, Monnier 5, Ferguson 4). Team/deadball rebounds: 3. Assists: 6 (Edens 5). Steals: 7 (Ferguson 3, Edens 2). Turnovers: 20.

ALEXANDER (17-4): Kyle Barnhouse 3 0 4-4 10, Eric Tolar 3 0 2-4 8, Greg Frost 5 1 1-1 14, Zach Bobo 4 0 1-2 9, Jake King 1 0 2-2 4,Wes Meadows 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Lawson 2 0 0-0 4, Josh Moritz 1 0 0-0 2, Michael Chapman 0 1 0-0 3, Tyler Gillette 0 0 0-0 0, Jack Hart 1 0 0-1 2, Jake Hedrick 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 23-48 10-14 58. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-10. Rebounds: 7-21=28 (Tolar 6, Bobo 6). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 8 (Barnhouse 3). Steals: 8 (Frost 3). Turnovers: 16.