Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — The one thing the Coal Grove Hornets needed to do against the Fairland Lady Dragons was to play team ball in order to win.
They did and they did.
The Lady Hornets used a team effort as they beat the Lady Dragons 65-49 in a key Ohio Valley Conference game that gave them a two-game lead in the league race.
“I think tonight we finally realized that we are a team made up of multiple great players,” said Coal Grove coach Rick Roach.
“Everyone who played gave their team great effort and that’s what won the game. Dillow showed great poise running the point, made good choices when to drive and wen to get the ball to the open man.”
Addi Dillow proved to be the best of the best for Coal Grove as she scored 28 points. Abbey Hicks scored 14 points and Kaleigh Murphy had 12 points.
“Murphy showed great toughness. She got hit hard on a shot going to the basket and then a few minutes later took an incidental knee to the back of her leg. But she came back in and played even harder,” said Roach.
“Hicks has been battling sickness the past week but didn’t let it slow her down. She played tremendous defense and knocked down some huge shots. (Jaidyn) Griffith and (Rylee) Harmon played strong around the basket. (Caitlin) Dillon and (Ellie) Holmes were able to give great minutes the entire game.”
Fairland (7-8, 6-2) got 13 points each from Bailey Roland and Tomi Hinkle.
Coal Grove (10-4, 8-0) led 12-11 after the first quarter as Dillow had 7 points and Hicks 5. Hinkle scored 5 for Fairland.
The Lady Hornets stretched the led to 28-23 at halftime as Dillow drained three 3-pointers and scored 11 points in the second quarter.
Jenna Stone and Emma Marshall had 3-pointers in the quarter for Fairland.
Coal Grove blew the game open in the third quarter as the pulled away to a 50-36 lead behind Hicks who hit two trifectas and scored 8 points.
Roland hit a trey and had 7 points.
The Lady Hornets were sent to the foul line often in the fourth quarter and converted 9-of-16 free throws.
Dillow was 4-of-4 and Holmes 2-of-2 to lead the clutch foul shooting.
Hinkle scored 6 points and Miaa Howard hit a triple and scored 5 points for Fairland.
On Monday, Fairland is at South Point and Coal Grove host Gallipolis.
Coal Grove 12 16 22 15 = 65
Fairland 11 12 12 14 = 49
COAL GROVE (10-4, 8-0): Ellie Holmes 1 0 2-2 4, Addi Dillow 7 3 5-5 28, Caitlin Dillon 0 1 0-0 3, Katie Deeds 0 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Autumn Hicks 0 0 0-0 0, Kaleigh Murphy 4 0 4-8 12, Abbey Hicks 1 3 3-6 14, Kylee Harmon 1 0 1-2 3, Kenadee Keaton 0 0 1-2 1, Jenna Hicks 0 0 0-0 0, Jaidyn Griffith 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-50 16-27 65. 3-pt goals: 7. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.
FAIRLAND (7-8, 6-2): Emma Marshall 1 1 3-4 8, Harlie Lyons 0 1 0-0 3, Bailey Roland 5 1 2-2 13, Jessica King 0 0 0-0 0, Tomi Hinkle 6 0 1-2 13, Jenna Stone 1 1 0-1 5, Libby Judge 0 0 0-0 0, Miaa Howard 1 1 1-2 6, Kirsten Orsbon 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 19-57 6-13 49. 3-pt goals: 5. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Stone.