Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Once the Coal Grove Lady Hornets lit the pilot light, things began to heat up.
Coal Grove shook off a slow start and came back to hold off the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 50-45 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday.
“We got down 5-0 to start the game but then we warmed up,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach. “They were playing very physical and fouling on our drives to the basket. However, we converted six from the free throw line in (the first quarter). Addi and Baylee scored their usual, but the offense from Dolen was a bonus.”
Addi Dillow had 17 points to lead the Lady Hornets (9-2, 5-1) with Baylee McKnight and Destiny Dolen scored 11 each.
Riely Schreck had 17 points for Ironton (4-7, 4-3). Haylee Stevens added eight points and Lydia Hannan six.
Ironton started the game with a 5-0 run but Dillow hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points while Dolen got four points and McKnight a triple as Coal Grove rallied to take a 19-13 lead.
Schreck and Hannan scored four points each and Stevens hit a trifecta for Ironton.
The Lady Hornets pulled away to a 32-22 halftime lead as Dillow hit another trey and scored five points. Coal Grove also went 4-of-7 at the foul line.
Schreck hit a 3-pointer and two foul shots while Sophie Caines had four points including 2-for-2 at the line to keep Ironton within striking distance.
Lauren Crum and McKnight each hit 3-pointers as Coal Grove outscored Ironton 11-8 in the third quarter to lead 43-30. Four different players had baskets for Ironton.
“We were up as much as 12 or 13 but couldn’t push it anymore. I really think our 3-point shooting surprised them,” said Roach.
Schreck drained a pair of 3-pointers and Stevens hit a trey along with a basket as Ironton began to rally in the fourth quarter.
But McKnight was 3-for-4 at the line to help the Lady Hornets get the win.
A big difference in the game came at the foul line where the Lady Hornets converted 14-of-24 attempts and Ironton managed only 4-of-4 attempts.
“We tried to slow it down in the fourth, but they picked up their defense so we had to respond with a couple of run outs,” said Roach.
On Thursday, Ironton visits Portsmouth and Coal Grove goes to South Point.
Coal Grove 19 13 11 7 = 50
Ironton 13 9 8 15 = 45
COAL GROVE (9-2, 5-1): Addi Dillow 3 3 2-2 17, Baylee McKnight 0 2 5-7 11, Rylee Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Kaleigh Murphy 0 0 2-4 2, Abbey Hicks 2 0 0-0 4, Destiny Dolen 4 0 3-5 11, Lauren Crum 0 1 0-0 3, Jaiden Griffith 0 0 2-4 2. Totals: 9 6 14-24 50. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.
IRONTON (4-7, 4-3): Riley Schreck 3 3 2-2 17, Samantha LaFon 2 0 0- 4, Lydia Hannan 3 0 0-0 6, Elli Williams 1 0 0-0 2, Kameren Arden 1 0 0-0 2, Haylee Stevens 1 2 0-0 8, Jaiden Rogers 0 0 0-0 0, Abbey Patterson 0 0 0-0 0, Sophie Caines 2 0 2-2 6. Totals: 13 5 4-4 45. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.