Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — After having their Ohio Valley Conference title chances spoiled, the Coal Grove Hornets played the spoiler role.

The Hornets lost at South Point on Friday to end their title hopes. But they beat Fairland 76-69 to end the Dragons’ title hopes Tuesday.

Fairland’s loss coupled with South Point’s win at River Valley gave the Pointers the title outright.

Conor Markins not only turned in a stellar performance fore the Hornets with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but he also eclipsed the 1,000 career points scoring total.

D.J. Miller had a solid game with 20 points and Joe Akers added 10 points as Coal Grove ran its record to 13-7 and finished 6-4 in the OVC.

The loss not only ended the title hopes of Fairland (9-9, 5-3), but spoiled a milestone night for Evan Maddox as well. Maddox scored 27 points and had five rebounds as he also reached the 1,000 career points scoring plateau.

Chance Short had 21 points for the Dragons.

Markins had seven points in the first quarter as Coal Grove took a 16-12 lead. He had seven more points in the second quarter and the lead was 29-22 at the half.

Maddox caught fire for the Dragons with 13 points including three 3-pointers in the third quarter, but Miller and Akers combined for 13 points and Sean Paulus was 4-of-4 at the foul line as Coal Grove outscored Fairland 25-23 to take a 54-45 lead.

Short erupted for 13 points in the fourth quarter and Maddox added seven points, but Markins scored eight points Miller seven for the Hornets.

Coal Grove was 16-of-23 from the line in the fourth quarter. Markins and Miller combined for 12 free throws.

Fairland 12 10 23 24 = 69

Coal Grove 16 13 25 22 = 76

FAIRLAND (9-9, 5-3): Thayer Flynn 0-1 0-0 0, Chance Short 7-20 6-6 21, Jacob Warner 0-0 2-2 2, Luke Phillipos 3-5 0-0 6, Nathan Campbell 1-2 0-2 2, Evan Maddox 11-25 1-2 27, Shane Stevens 1-1 0-0 3, Tyler Campbell 4-8 0-2 8. Totals: 27-62 9-14 69. 3-point goals: 6-22 (Short 1-9, Maddox 4-11, Stevens 1-1, Flynn 0-1). Rebounds: 27 (N. Campbell 6, T. Campbell 5, Maddox 5). Assists: 11 (Flynn 3, Phillips 3). Steals: 5. Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Phillips.

COAL GROVE (13-7, 6-4): Sean Paulus 1-5 4-4 7, Brandon Adkins 2-6 4-4 8, D.J. Miller 6-11 7-10 20, Joe Akers 5-9 0-0 10, Conor Markins 7-11 9-12 25, Austen Pleasant 1-1 0-0 2, Jonathan Joseph 0-0 1-1 2, Isaiah Gunther 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 24-47 24-30 76. 3-point goals: 4-12 (Markins 2-4, Miller 1-5, Paulus 1-2, Akers 0-1). Rebounds: 25 (Markins 11, Akers 4, Miller 4). Assists: 5 (Adkins 2). Steals: 2. Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.