By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

COAL GROVE — After two double-digit wins, the Coal Grove Hornets were facing adversity late.

But the Hornets met the challenge and rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Symmes Valley Vikings 61-50 on Saturday.

Vikings’ coach Jerome Fuller said his team’s 24 turnovers were the difference.

“We make a lot of silly mistakes. We’re young and our inexperience shows,” said Fuller.

“Turnovers were a big thing and they really weren’t forced. We made some bad long passes and Coal Grove can cover some space.”

Alex Bare had 20 points and Bryan Steele 17 to lead the Hornets (3-0). Conor Markins added 10 points.

D.J. Miller had 14 points and 4 assists while Tyler Rowe got 12 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Vikings (1-3). Austin Baldwin had 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Bare had 8 points in the first quarter while Baldwin scored 9 for the Vikings and it was 17-all.

Steele had 8 of his points in the second quarter as the Hornets took a 31-25 halftime lead.

Rowe scored 6 points and Miller 5 as the Vikings rallied in the third quarter to take a 40-38 lead.

But Bare scored 9 points including 5-of-6 at the foul line in the fourth quarter and the Vikings struggled with turnovers as Coal Grove rallied for the win.

Coal Grove 17 14 7 23 = 61

Symmes Valley 17 8 15 10 = 50

COAL GROVE (3-0): Trevor Barrett 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Beals 1 0 0-0 2, Alex Bare 5 1 7-8 20, Jacob Pauley 1 0 0-0 2, Colton Bryant 0 0 0-0 0, Greg Bender 2 0 0-0 4, Conor Markins 2 2 0-2 10, Bryan Steele 6 1 2-6 17, Kyle Estep 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 20 4 9-16 61. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (1-3): Alec Herrell 2 0 0-1 4, Zane Wheeler 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Pelletier 1 0 0-1 2, D.J. Miller 5 1 1-2 14, Tanner Conley 0 0 2-2 2, Austin Baldwin 5 1 1-1 14, Mitch Corn 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Rowe 6 0 0-1 12. Totals: 22-50 4-8 50. 3-point goals: 2-11. Rebounds: 29 (Rowe 12, Baldwin 6, Conley 6). Assists: 10 (Miller 4). Steals: 7. Blocked shots: 1. Turnovers: 24. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Rowe.