Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

GALLIPOLIS — The postseason tournament is called “The Second Season.” The Rock Hill Redmen started their second season a little early.

The Redmen came within seconds of pulling off a huge upset before losing to the Gallipolis Blue Devils 57-54 on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Winless after their first 14 games, Rock Hill coach Dave Hopper said his team rededicated themselves.

“We had a talk and scrapped the first 14 games. We made a commitment to try and finish strong and they held to it,” said Hopper.

“We had a great practice (on Wednesday) and did a lot of competitive shooting drills. We decided this is our second season.”

Tyler Damron scored 22 points to lead the Redmen (0-15, 0-9). Nathan Turvey hit five 3-point goals for 15 points, Mason Darby had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Alex Nance grabbed 11 rebounds.

Gallipolis had three players in double figures. Miles Cornwell scored 16 points, Wes Jarrell 14 and Kole Carter 13.

Rock Hill was down 55-53 when Damron hit a foul shot. The Redmen were forced to foul and Jarrell made two free throws to set the final score.

The Redmen took a 20-10 first quarter lead as Damron scored 10 points including a pair of foul shots. Turvey also hit two 3-pointers.

Cornwell and Carter had five points each as Gallipolis outscored Rock Hill 19-7 in the second quarter to take a 29-27 halftime lead.

Darby scored 8 points for Rock Hill and Carter had eight points for Gallipolis as both teams scored 16 points in the third quarter and it was 45-43.

The key in the fourth quarter was the foul line. Gallipolis (5-11, 4-7) made 9-of-17 free throws while Rock Hill was 3-of-6.

The Redmen — who played Chesapeake on Tuesday — continue a grueling NBA-like schedule this week with a game at Ironton on Friday and at Symmes Valley on Saturday.

Rock Hill 20 7 16 11 = 54

Gallipolis 10 19 16 12 = 57

ROCK HILL (0-15, 0-9): Tyler Damron 5 3 3-6 22, Alex Nance 1 0 0-0 2, Nathan Turvey 0 5 0-0 15, Brady Knipp 0 0 0-0 0, Mason Darby 7 0 1-2 15, Cameron Barnette 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 8 4-8 54. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

GALLIPOLIS (5-11, 4-7): Miles Cornwell 1 4 2-4 16, Wes Jarrell 5 0 4-5 14, Evan Wiseman 1 0 0-0 2, Kole Carter 5 1 0-2 13, Russell Mathews 0 1 0-0 3, Justin McClelland 0 0 0-0 0, Devin Henry 1 1 4-8 9, Drew VanSickle 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 7 10-19 57. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.