Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Is there a pattern forming here?

For the second straight game, the Coal Grove Lady Hornets struggled early with their offense, then played a strong second half as they rallied to win.

The Lady Hornets trailed by 13 points at the half but stormed back to beat the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 47-38 Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“Same story, different game,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.

“We started off not doing what we practice. We adjusted a few things at halftime. We talked about doing the little things to get a win and I had kids come off the bench and do that.”

Jacy Jones had 17 points but freshman Emily Compliment scored 21 points including 7 of 10 at the foul line.

“Jones scored her points as she usually does. However, the difference was Compliment. At South Point she wasn’t finishing around the basket. Tonight she was able to calm down and relieve pressure from Jones,” said Roach.

Portsmouth (0-3, 0-2) took a 10-8 first quarter lead and was up 30-17 at the half as Jada Jenkins scored 7 points Faith Lee hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter.

But Jones had 8 points and Compliment 6 as Coal Grove outscored Portsmouth 16-4 in the third quarter to get within 34-33.

The Coal Grove duo combined for 9 points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Hornets held the Lady Trojans to 4 points and rallied for the win.

Portsmouth 10 20 4 4 = 38

Coal Grove 8 9 16 14 = 47

PORTSMOUTH (0-3, 0-2): Faith Lee 1 2 0-0 8, Sharia Kearns 2 0 0-0 4, Jada Jenkins 7 0 1-1 15, Peighton Williams 0 2 0-0 6, Mya Williams 1 0 3-5 5. Totals: 11 4 4-7 38. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (2-0, 2-0): Jacy Jones 4 2 3-4 17, Sydney Conley 0 0 0-0 0, Kaylee Beals 1 0 0-0 2, Emily Compliment 7 0 7-10 21, Leah Crum 2 0 1-3 5, Leslie Mulkey 0 0 0-0 0, Kasey Murphy 0 0 0-0 0, Lauren Meyer 0 0 0-0 0, Summer Willis 1 0 0-0 2, Maddy McKenzie 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-57 11-17 47. 3-point goals: 2-18. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.