Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Patience is a virtue. It’s also a good way to get a win.
The Coal Grove Lady Hornets practiced patience on Monday as they beat the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 41-26 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
“We came out in this game knowing that we needed to play a little more patient than we did last week,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.
“Destiny Dolen played excellent defense on (Jasmine) Eley. Dolen has slimmed down this year which has made her quicker, which helped with getting a lot of rebounds.”
Lauren Crum made a pair of 3-pointers and scored 15 points to lead the Lady Hornets (1-1, 1-0). Addi Dillow knocked down three 3-pointers as she scored 13 in the winning effort.
Eley scored 12 points for Portsmouth (1-2, 1-1).
“Dillow did a better job of knocking down some outside shots in this game. I was very happy with the play of Crum. She was outsized the majority of the game but battled the whole game. She has really improved her overall game this year,” said Roach.
Dillow hit a pair of 3-pointers as Coal Grove took a 12-4 first quarter lead.
The defense held Portsmouth to only one field goal by Hannah Hughes in the second quarter while Dillow scored four points and the Lady Hornets opened up a 23-6 halftime lead.
Coal Grove struggled offensively in the third quarter with only five points while Eley scored four points and Nia Trinidad hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 28-15.
But Crum got the half hand and scored 13 of her points in the fourth quarter including two 3-pointers and 3-of-5 at the foul line.
On Thursday, Coal Grove visits Fairland and Portsmouth travels to South Point.
Portsmouth 4 2 9 11 = 26
Coal Grove 12 11 5 13 = 41
PORTSMOUTH (1-2, 1-1): Jasmine Jasmine 2 2 2-2 12, Nia Trinidad 1 1 0-1 5, Hannah Hughes 2 0 1-3 5, Jaiden Rickett 0 0 0-2 0, Aireyana Thurman 0 0 0-0 0, Layla Kegg 2 0 0-0 4, Lyic Brown 0 0 0-0 0, Ashanti Richardson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10-45 3-8 26. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.
COAL GROVE (1-1, 1-0): Ellis Holmes 0 0 0-0 0, Addi Dillow 2 3 0-0 13, Baylee McKnight 0 0 0-2 0, Caitlyn Dillon 0 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Rylee Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Kaleigh Murphy 1 0 1-2 3, Rylee Cashman 0 0 0-0 0, Abbey Hicks 0 0 0-0 0, Destiny Dolen 2 0 2-2 6, Lauren Crum 3 2 3-4 15, Jaiden Griffith 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 15-56 6-10 41. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.