Lady Hornets ovecome slow start to win sectional opener
Published 10:24 pm Monday, February 11, 2019
Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com
JACKSON — The Coal Grove Lady Hornets always seem to start slow. But they always seem to finish fast.
The Lady Hornets continued that pattern on Monday as they beat the Rock Hill Redwomen 57-32 in the Division III sectional tournament.
“We started sloppy, then we started running our offense well but just couldn’t finish,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.
“At the half, we talked about picking up the pace and (Addi) Dillow did just that which allowed us to scored and stretch our lead.”
Dillow had a basket in the first quarter and then knocked down four in the second quarter as Coal Grove went from a 12-5 first quarter lead to 31-15 at the half.
Dillow finished with a game-high 16 points while Baylee McKnight hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points for the Lady Hornets (19-4).
“McKnight also did a good job of shooting the 3-ball. I was really proud of my starters (Destiny) Dolen and (Lauren) Crum giving up contested shots to find open players for a better shot,” said Roach.
Rock Hill (5-17) was led by Rileigh Morris with 11 points including nine in the first half.
The Lady Hornets will play another Ohio Valley Conference member when they play South Point at 2:45 p.m. Saturday in the sectional finals.
Besides Dillow, McKnight hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter as Coal Grove outscored Rock Hill 19-10.
McKnight knocked down two more triples in the third quarter and six other players all had a basket as the Lady Hornets extended the lead to 49-23.
Dillow had four points in the fourth quarter before Roach emptied the bench.
Kylee Howard and Savannah Cade each hit 3-pointers in the quarter for Rock Hill.
Rock Hill 5 10 8 9 = 32
Coal Grove 12 10 18 8 = 57
ROCK HILL (5-17): Kelsey Olderham 1 0 0-0 2, Savannah McGraw 0 0 0-0 0, Makayla Scott 2 0 0-2 4, Keilie Adams 2 0 0-0 4, Aleigha Matney 0 0 1-2 1, Kylee Howard 0 2 0-0 5, Paige Bailey 0 0 0-0 0, Autumn Porter 0 0 1-2 1, Rileigh Morris 5 0 1-1 11, Makenzie Hanshaw 0 0 0-0 0, Savannah Cade 0 1 0-0 3. Totals: 13-39 3-7 32. 3-pt goals: 3. Fouls: 7. Fouled out: None.
COAL GROVE (19-4): Elli Holmes 0 0 0-0 0, Addi Dillow 8 0 0-0 16, Baylee McKnight 1 4 0-0 14, Caitlyn Dillon 0 0 0-0 0, Kaesie Gwilliams 0 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Rylee Harmon 0 0 0-0 0, Kaleigh Murphy 1 1 2-2 7, Rylee Cashman 0 0 0-0 0, Abbey Hicks 1 0 0-0 2, Destiny Dolen 3 0 1-2 7, Lauren Crum 4 0 0-0 8, Jaiden Griffith 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 24-57 4-6 57. 3-pt goals: 5. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.