Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — It was quite a battle.
The Rock Hill Redmen trailed almost the entire game before battling back to tie the score.
But the Wellston Golden Rockets hit a clutch shot and escaped with a 54-50 season-opening win on Friday that spoiled the debut of Rock Hill head coach Gordy Collins.
Logan Hankins hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 22 seconds to play that tied the game at 50. But Decota McKenzie hit a 3-pointer with 12.8 seconds on the clock to give Wellston the lead.
Michael Graham converted one of two foul shots with 1.7 seconds left to set the final score.
“We played hard and gave a really good effort, we just gave them too many opportunities at the free throw line,” said Collins. “And we missed too many free throws of our own.”
Wellston connected on 20-of-31 free throws while the Redmen made just eight of their 17 attempts.
Hankins had 17 points to lead a balanced offense.
Kadin France had nine points and 12 rebounds, Jake Blagg had eight points — all in the second half — and two steals while Brayden Stamper added seven points.
Isaac Floyd grabbed six rebounds.
Jordan Lucas scored 16 points and was deadly at the foul line as he made 8-of-9 attempts for Wellston (1-0). Matt Simpson scored 11 points, McKenzie added 10 and Graham nine.
The game started slow with Wellston taking a 9-5 first quarter lead.
Lucas was 6-of-6 from the foul line in the second quarter and Jase Arthur score all six of his points as Wellston took a 24-21 halftime lead.
Hankins had six points in the quarter and Garrett Miller hit a 3-pointer for the Redmen.
The Rockets extended their lead to 37-30 at the end of the third quarter as Simpson scored eight points. Blagg scored four points for Rock Hill.
The Redmen offense came to life as they began their comeback in the fourth quarter.
Stamper scored five points including a 3-pointer and France had four points while Hankins had seven points including the trifecta to tie the game.
Rock Hill visited Green on Saturday and hosts St. Joseph on Tuesday.
In the reserve game, Rock Hill won 30-18 as Caleb Dillon had nine points and Caleb Davis eight.
Wellston    5    19    13    7    =    54
Rock Hill    9    12    8    20    =    50
WELLSTON (1-0): Rylan Molihan 0 0 0-0 0, Jase Arthur 2 0 2-5 6, Michael Graham 1 1 4-6 9, Decota McKenzie 2 1 3-5 10, Nick Heil 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Lucas 4 0 8-9 16, Brice Robinson 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Bodey 0 0 0-0 0, Eddie Smith 0 0 2-2 2, Matt Simpson 5 0 1-4 11. Totals: 14 2 20-31 54. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.
ROCK HILL (0-1): Cody Roberts 0 0 0-0 0, Jake Blagg 4 0 0-0 8, Garrett Miller 0 1 0-0 3, Brady Floyd 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Dillon 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Floyd 2 0 0-0 4, Logan Hankins 4 2 3-7 17, Brayden Stamper 0 1 4-6 7, Kadin France 4 0 1-4 9, Logan Reed 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 19-44 8-17 50. 3-point goals: 4-16. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: I. Floyd, Stamper. Rebounds: 27 (France 12, Floyd 6). Assists: 5 (Hankins 2, France 2). Steals: 4 (Blagg 2). Turnovers: 11.