Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — The Coal Grove Hornets can thank their defense.
With the offense struggling early, the Hornets turned to their defense in a 52-31 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Rock Hill Redmen on Tuesday.
Rock Hill (0-10, 0-4) was thinking upset by taking a 10-8 first quarter lead. Logan Hankins drained a pair of 3-pointers to help give the Redmen the early lead.
Jordan Case had four points for Coal Grove.
The Hornets rallied to take a 24-12 halftime lead by holding the Redmen to just two points in the second quarter.
Aaron Music scored six points, Alijah Roman came off the bench to provide a spark with five points, and Cory Borders had all five of his points including a 3-pointer for Coal Grove.
Hankins had the only basket for Rock Hill.
Sam Angelo hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored seven points in the third quarter as Coal Grove extended the lead to 37-24. Five different players scored for the Redmen.
The Hornets’ defense went back to work in the fourth quarter by limiting Rock Hill to seven points as they pulled away to the 21-point win.
Roman scored five points as he and Angelo each hit 3-pointers to key the offense.
Music scored 13 points to lead a balanced attack for Coal Grove (7-3, 2-2). Roman and Angelo scored 10 points each.
Hankins was the only Rock Hill player in double figures with 12 points. Kaden France added six.
On Friday, Rock Hill hosts Portsmouth and Coal Grove visits Chesapeake.
Coal Grove    8    16    13    15    =    52
Rock Hill    10    2    12    7    =    31
COAL GROVE (7-3, 2-2): Aaron Music 6 0 1-5 13, Cory Borders 1 1 0-0 5, Jordan Case 3 0 0-0 6, Jeb Joens 2 0 0-0 4, Sam Angelo 0 3 1-2 10, Alijah Roman 3 1 1-2 10, Nate Harmon 1 0 0-0 2, Payton Smith 1 0 0-0 2, Damian Jiles 0 0 0-0 0, David Byrne 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 5 3-9 52. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.
ROCK HILL (0-10, 0-4): Jake Blagg 1 0 2-2 4, Logan Hankins 3 2 0-0 12, Braden Stamper 1 0 0-2 2, Jaret Bacorn 2 0 0-2 4, Kaden France 3 0 0-0 6, Cody Roberts 0 0 0-0 0, Garrett Miller 0 0 0-2 0, Brady Floyd 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Floyd 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Ross 0 0 0-0 0, Logan Reed 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 2 2-8 31. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.