Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — With the way the Coal Grove Hornets are playing defense, they might be asked to take the state bar exam.
Despite losing to Portsmouth Notre Dame on Tuesday, the Hornets had a second straight strong defensive effort as they fell 37-32 to the Titans.
“I can’t be more excited about our defense. They have three or four kids who are 6-3 or 6-4 and they’re physical. They are a nice team. They’re fast and they play fast,” said Hornets’ coach Kevin Vanderhoof.
“Our effort has been outstanding. We could easily be 2-0. We just need to start making shots.”
Making shots will be the key for the Hornets the rest of the season. They was just 1-of-12 from behind the 3-point line against the Titans.
Trevon Turner scored 14 points and Grant Sparks had 11 points to lead the Titans (2-0).
Jeb Jones had 12 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Hornets (1-1). Mark Sites added 8 points and 5 rebounds while Aaron Music grabbed 11 rebounds.
Trevon Turner scored 14 and Grant Sparks 11 for the Titans.
Coal Grove was up 11-8 after the first quarter. Turner and Sparks combined for 11 points as the Titans rallied to take a 22-19 halftime lead.
Jones and Sites scored 4 points each in the fourth quarter and the Hornets were down 28-27.
But the Titans outscored the Hornets 9-5 in the fourth quarter to get the win.
Coal Grove plays at St. Joseph on Saturday.
Notre Dame    8    13    7    9    =    37
Coal Grove      11    8    8    5    =    32
PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (1-0): Isiah Johnson 3 0 0-0 6, Sam Kayser 1 0 0-0 2, Trevon Turner 6 0 2-4 14, Grant Sparks 1 3 0-0 11, Aaron Bazler 2 0 0-0 4, Ben Mader 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 . Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Johnson.
COAL GROVE (1-0): Aaron Music 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Case 1 0 0-0 2, Kyle Sites 0 0 0-0 0, Nate Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Daniel Rutherford 1 0 2-2 4, Mark Sites 4 0 0-0 8, Jeb Jones 6 0 0-0 12, Evan Gannon 0 0 1-2 1, Elijah Roman 0 1 0-0 3. Totals: xxx. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.