Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — It was like sleep walking, only with a basketball.
The Coal Grove Lady Hornets won a key game on Monday against Ironton when they celebrated senior night as well, then came right back on Tuesday to play the Greenup County Lady Musketeers.
Despite playing sluggish defense, the Lady Hornets overcame a 36- point performance by Maggie Miller to get a 68-53 win.
“We were a little slow defensively most of the night,” said Coal Grove coach Rick Roach. “Miller is one of the toughest guards we have seen all year. She was able to score and we didn’t have much of an answer.”
Baylee McKnight scored 17 points and Addi Dillow 16 to lead four players in double figures for Coal Grove (17-4). Destiny Dolen and Lauren Crum scored 12 each.
McKnight hit a pair of 3-pointers and had seven points with Dillow netting six to give Coal Grove a 14-10 first quarter lead.
Miller scored six for Greenup (4-20).
Crum had a 3-pointer and seven points, Dolen six and Abbey Hicks four more as Coal Grove went up 31-20 at the half.
Miller scored eight in the quarter.
The Lady Musketeers cut a point off the lead in the third quarter as Miller had 11 points and Madison Hill hit a 3-pointer and scored five points.
But Dillow had six points, McKnight five, Dolen four and Crum a trifecta to keep the Lady Hornets in front.
Greenup was forced to four but Coal Grove hit 8-of-10 free throws to seal the outcome.
Dillow was 4-for-5 at the line while McKnight and Kaleigh Murphy made two each.
Miller scored 11 points in the quarter for Greenup.
“Early in the game, they couldn’t defend our guards and we got to the basket and finished or found the open post play,” said Roach.
“They adjusted with a zone which caused us some issues, but Baylee and Crum were able to knock down some outside shots and when they closed on our shooters, Dolen was able to get the ball inside and score.”
Coal Grove hosts South Point on Thursday.
Greenup 10 10 19 14 = 53
Coal Grove 14 17 18 19 = 68
GREENUP COUNTY (4-20): Maggie Miller 14 1 5-11 36, Madison Hill 2 1 2-2 9, Rachel Bush 0 0 0-0 0, Lexi Carroll 2 0 0-0 4, Lauren Hannah 0 0 4-8 4, Emma Frazier 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-52 11-21 53. 3-pt goals: 2. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Hannah.
COAL GROVE (17-4): Addi Dillow 6 0 4-5 16, Baylee McKnight 1 4 3-5 17, Kaleigh Murphy 2 0 2-2 6, Destiny Dolen 6 0 0-0 12, Lauren Crum 3 2 0-0 12, Abbey Hicks 2 0 0-0 4, Rylee Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Elli Holmes 0 0 0-0 0, Caitlyn Dillon 0 0 0-0 0, Jaiden Griffith 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 26-70 10-14 68. 3-pt goals: 6. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Murphy.