Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

GALLIPOLIS — The Coal Grove Lady Hornets were on a two-game losing streak and began Thursday’s game as though it would be three.
But enough was enough as the Lady Hornets came to life in the second quarter and rolled past the Gallipolis Blue Angels 71-40 to remain tied for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference with Fairland at 8-2.
Coal Grove (13-4) fell behind 18-15 in the first quarter as Mandy Petro and Preslee Reed scored six points each.
Addi Dillow kept Coal Grove close with eight points.
Then came the wake-up call in the second quarter as Coal Grove outscored Gallipolis 20-6 to lead 35-24 at the half.
Lauren Crum hit a 3-pointer and score five points and Jaiden Griffith, Abbey Hicks and Dillow scored four points each.
“We started the first quarter like we had just lost two in a row,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach. “We did not adjust defensively and gave up easy baskets.
“The second quarter was much better and it continued into the second half. Offensively, we moved the ball well against the zone.”
The offense kicked into high gear in the third quarter as Baylee McKnight hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points with Griffith scoring five points and Destiny Dolen four to make it a 58-33 game.
Junon Ohmara had six points including 4-of-4 at the foul line for Gallipolis in the quarter.
McKnight continued to keep the foot on the gas as she hit another trey and scored nine points.
McKnight finished with 19 points — all in the second half — while Dillow had 16 and Dolen 10. Griffith added nine p oints and Crum seven.
“I was happy with (Jaiden Griffith’s post play tonight. She is coming along nicely. My others starters played their roles nicely and are continuing to do what I ask of them: working hard,” said Roach.
Petro scored 13 and Brooklyn Hill 10 for Gallipolis (6-11, 3-7).
On Monday, Coal Grove goes to Rock Hill and Gallipolis visits South Point.
Coal Grove 15 20 23 13 = 71
Gallipolis 18 6 9 7 = 40
COAL GROVE (13-4, 8-2): Elli Holmes 0 0 0-0 0, Addi Dillow 8 0 0-0 16, Baylee McKnight 5 3 0-1 19, Kaesie Gwilliams 0 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Rylee Harmon 1 0 0-0 2, Kaleigh Murphy 1 0 2-2 4, Abbey Hicks 0 0 4-4 4, Destiny Dolen 4 0 2-4 10, Lauren Crum 2 1 0-0 7, Jaiden Griffith 4 0 1-2 9. Totals: 28-82 9-13 71. 3-pt goals: 3. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.
GALLIPOLIS (6-11, 3-7): Brooklyn Hill 3 1 1-2 10, Mandy Petro 6 0 1-2 13, Katie Carpenter 0 0 0-0 0, Preslee Reed 2 0 3-4 7, Koren Truance 1 0 0-0 2, Junon Ohmara 2 0 4-4 8, Chasity Adams 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-41 9-12 40. 3-pt goals: 1. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.