Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — With leading scorer Alexis Hall lost for the season with a knee injury, Coal Grove coach Rick Roach said he was anxious to see how his team would respond to the setback.
He got his answer as the Lady Hornets came through with a 36-27 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Chesapeake Lady Panthers on Thursday.
“During a team meeting (Wednesday) we talked about challenges and how this was just a challenge that we would have to deal with and everyone on the team would have to step up,” said Roach.
Coal Grove (8-2, 4-1) was led by Destiny Dolen with 12 points. Emily Compliment had nine points including 7-of-8 at the foul line while Addi Dillow scored eight.
Chesapeake (5-4, 3-2) was led by Brooke Webb with 12 points while Natalee Hall scored eight.
Hall had seven rebounds and five assists, Maddie Ward had five rebounds, Webb three steals and two blocks and Karli Davis two blocks.
Chesapeake led 8-4 after the first quarter but Dolen had five points as Coal Grove took a 14-12 halftime lead.
Dillow hit a 3-pointer and Dolen scored four points as Coal Grove extended its lead to 26-20 after three quarters.
Webb and Hall combined for all eight of Chesapeake’s points in the quarter.
Davis hit a 3-pointer and Webb had four points in the fourth quarter, but Compliment was 6-of-6 at the foul line and Dillow hit another 3-pointer as Coal Grove secured the win.
“I felt we came out sloppy in the first half and couldn’t get in any rhythm, but that’s what Chesapeake’s box-and-one does to a team. In the second half we came out and played our game,” said Roach.
“We have been trying to keep Dillow a secret this year. She had been coming in and giving sub minutes here and there. Tonight, she showed that she can shoot, dribble, pass and play a little defense. I was impressed with how Compliment dealt with the box and got to the free throw line in the second half. Dolen’s intensity on both ends of the court was a huge plus in this game.”
Coal Grove was 11-of-45 from the field for the game for 24 percent but 12-of-16 at the foul line. Chesapeake was 12-of-39 for 31 percent from the field but made only 2-of-4 free throws.
On Monday, Coal Grove hosts Ironton and Chesapeake visits Fairland.
Coal Grove    4    10    12    10    =    36
Chesapeake    8    4    8    7    =    27

COAL GROVE (8-2, 4-1): Addi Dillow 1 2 0-0 8, Halie Frazier 0 0 0-0 0, Bailey McKnight 0 0 1-2 1, Emily Compliment 1 0 7-8 9, Makayla Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Kasey Murphy 2 0 0-0 4, Destiny Dolen 4 0 4-6 12, Lauren Crum 1 0 0-0 2, Jaidyn Griffith 0 0 0-0 0, Emileigh Bryant 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11-45 12-16 36. 3-pt goals: 2. Fouls: 4. Fouled out: None.
CHESAPEAKE (5-4, 3-2): Haley Stapleton 0 0 0-0 0, Karli Davis 1 1 0-0 5, Maddie Ward 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Hicks 0 0 0-0 0, Brooke Webb 5 0 2-4 12, Natalee Hall 4 0 0-0 8, Shia Ervin 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12-39 2-4 27. 3-pt goals: 1. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.