Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Last Friday’s lopsided loss at Portsmouth did not sit well with Rock Hill coach Sam Gue and he told his team as much.
The Redmen must have been listening as they responded with a 40-36 win over the St. Joseph Flyers on Tuesday.
“This was a complete team effort. Every guy in our locker room can be proud of this one,” said Gue.
“I challenged our team to give everything we have and they responded. We have some great leaders. Obviously, we were coming off of a tough loss at Portsmouth that wasn’t us. The effort we showed up there was just not acceptable.”
Mason Darby had 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to lead the Redmen (2-10).
St. Joseph (5-7) was led by Zac McGraw with 15 points and Chase Walters scored 11.
“Rock Hill shot the ball well in the first half and it came down to possessions and rebounding,” said Flyers’ coach Rex Cooksey.
“It was the kind of game I thought it would be and we played well. I was disappointed in our ball-handling at the end.”
Isaac Floyd hit a 3-pointer to start the game and Darby scored eight points in the first quarter as Rock Hill took a 15-11 lead. Walters scored six points and McGraw had five to keep St. Joseph close.
Logan Hankins hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter as Rock Hill went up 26-17 at the half.
McGraw had six points in the third quarter as the Flyers cut the deficit to 32-25.
In the fourth quarter, Isaac Whaley hit a 3-pointer and Clay Willis scored all four of his points including a layup off a steal that tied the game.
But Darby got an offensive rebound and put-back off a missed foul shot as the Redmen went up three points.
Floyd was fouled and made a free throw with eight seconds left for an 8-point Rock Hill lead to seal the win.
“Ironton St. Joe is well-coached and they never quit. They continued to make runs,” said Gue.
St. Joseph hosts Sciotoville East on Wednesday. Rock Hill entertains South Point on Friday.
St. Joseph    11    6    8    11    =    36
Rock Hill    15    11    6    8    =    40
ST. JOSEPH (5-7): Isaac Whaley 0 1 0-0 3, Clay Willis 2 0 0-0 4, Zach Roach 0 1 0-0 3, Peyton Adkins 0 0 0-0 0, Zac McGraw 6 0 3-4 15, Tre Neal 0 0 0-0 0, Chase Walters 5 0 1-2 11. Totals: 13 2 4-6 36. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Willis.
ROCK HILL (2-10): Tyler Damron 1 0 0-2 2, Tim Adkins 3 0 0-1 6, Isaac Floyd 0 1 1-2 4, Logan Hankins 0 2 0-0 6, Mason Darby 7 0 3-4 17, Brady Knipp 0 1 0-1 3, Cameron Barnette 1 0 0-0 2, Nate Malone 0 0 0-0 0, Jaret Bacorn 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 4 4-10 40. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.