Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Emily Compliment doesn’t like seeing junk defenses. Coal Grove coach Rick Roach doesn’t like seeing junk defenses.
Destiny Dolen, Kasey Murphy and Bailey McKnight didn’t seem to mind.
With Portsmouth use a box-and-triangle to stop Compliment, Dolen had 14 points, Murphy 12 and McKnight 11 as the Lady Hornets beat the Lady Trojans 54-23 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Thursday.
“I have other girls who can score and that was evident with three of my starters in double figures,” said Roach.
“Dolen was unstoppable in the first half. McKnight took some good shots and was able to knock down some 3s. It was good to see Murphy get to the rim and finish some easy shots.”
Dolen also had eight rebounds and seven steals of Coal Grove’s 13 assists.
“We had one day of practice with seven kids. I’m glad we got to play. It was good to get out of the house and play,” said Roach lamenting the recent bad weather.
Jasmine Eley scored nine points for Portsmouth.
Dolen had four points and McKnight hit a 3-pointer as Coal Grove took an 11-6 first quarter lead. Eley scored four for the Lady Trojans.
Coal Grove pulled away to a 25-11 halftime lead as Dolen and Murphy combined for 10 points in the second quarter.
Murphy had four more points and McKnight hit another triple in the third quarter as Coal Grove extended the lead to 36-19. Kylisha Kearns got four points in the quarter for Portsmouth.
The Lady Hornets put the game away in the fourth quarter by outscoring Portsmouth 18-4.
McKnight hit another 3-pointer and scored five points and Compliment had four points as six different players scored.
On Monday, Coal Grove travels to Fairland and Portsmouth hosts South Point.
Portsmouth    6    5    8    4    =    23
Coal Grove    11    14    11    18    =    54
PORTSMOUTH (NA): Jasmine Eley 4 0 1-3 9, Kylisha Kearns 3 0 0-0 6, Destiny McKenzie 1 0 0-1 2, Sharia Kearns 0 0 0-0 0, Shai Howard 0 0 0-0 0, Alayla Bolden 0 0 0-0 0, Jayden Rickett 2 0 2-2 6, Aireyana Thurman 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10-59 3-6 23. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.
COAL GROVE (11-3, 6-2): Addie Dillow 3 0 1-2 7, Halie Frazier 0 0 0-0 0, Bailey McKnight 1 3 0-0 11, Emily Compliment 3 0 0-0 6, Makayla Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Kasey Murphy 5 0 2-4 12, Destiny Dolen 7 0 0-0 14, Jaidyn Griffith 1 0 0-0 2, Emileigh Bryant 1 0 0-0 2. Totals; 24-57 3-6 54. 3-pt goals: 3. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.