Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — The Huntington St. Joseph Fighting Irish can shoot from the field or the foul line. Maybe that’s why they’re still unbeaten.

The Fighting Irish had seven 3-point goals and connected on 20-of-26 free throws as they got past the Coal Grove Hornets 61-52 on Saturday.

The Hornets had eight 3-pointers but they were just 4-of-6 from the line.

Conor Markins and D.J. Miller scored 14 points each to lead the Hornets (8-5). Sean Paulus had 10 points.

The Fighting Irish (13-0) had four players in double figures led by Payne Meadows with 19. Brian Conaty scored 15, Keith Clemons 13 and Travis McNeil 12.

Meadows hit three 3-pointers and Conaty had five points including a trey in the first quarter as the Irish took a 20-16 lead. Markins kept the Hornets close with eight points including a pair of triples.

Coal Grove managed just nine points in the second quarter and fell behind 33-25 at the half. Clemons, McNeil and Conaty all had 3-pointers.

Miller sank a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter as Coal Grove got within 43-39. St. Joseph was 8-of-10 from the line in the quarter.

Miller had two more 3-pointers and Paulus scored five points in the fourth quarter, but the Irish converted 10-of-13 from the line to secure the win.

Coal Grove visits Chesapeake on Tuesday in a key Ohio Valley Conference game.

Hunt. St. Joe 20 13 10 18 = 61

Coal Grove 16 9 14 13 = 52

HUNTINGTON ST. JOSEPH (13-0): Keith Clemons 3 1 4-7 13, Travis McNeil 2 1 5-6 12, Brian Conaty 3 2 3-3 15, Payne Meadows 1 3 8-10 19, Anthony Rabel 1 0 0- 2, Josiah Pierson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 7 20-26 61. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (8-5): Sean Paulus 3 1 1-1 10, Brandon Adkins 3 0 2-3 8, D.J. Miller 1 4 0-0 14, Joe Akers 1 0 0-0 2, Conor Markins 2 3 1-2 14, Jonathan Joseph 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12 8 4-6 52. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Paulus.