Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Forget any letdown. It was take-off time for the Coal Grove Lady Hornets.
Coach Rick Roach cautioned his team about a letdown and they responded as the Lady Hornets routed the Rock Hill Redwomen 71-31 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday.
“I talked about the sluggish start at Gallipolis last week. I told them I did not want to see it. Every starter responded and worked their tails off on defense,” said Roach.
Coal Grove (13-4) remains tied for first in the league with Fairland.
The Lady Hornets came out firing as they took an 18-3 lead. Baylee McKnight had four steals and five points, Kaleigh Murphy scored eight points and Lauren Crum hit a 3-pointer.
Rileigh Morris made three foul shots for Rock Hill.
“McKnight did a great job defensively and shooting the ball,” said Roach.
“Another bright spot was the play of Murphy. She has played great defense all year but I’ve wanted to see her score more. Tonight, we were able to run the court and create some good looks allowing her to get to the basket and finish.”
The lead went to 33-11 at the half as McKnight hit a 3-pointer and scored five points and Crumm had six more points. Kylee Howard had three points for Rock Hill.
The Lady Hornets didn’t let up in the third quarter as they outscored Rock Hill 25-5 to build an insurmountable 58-14 lead.
Addi Dillow scored 10 points and McKnight hit three 3-pointers. Howard had a trey for the Redwomen.
Coal Grove was 7-of-9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter with Elli Holmes getting three points.
Aleigha Matney scored all seven of her points for Rock Hill and Savannah McGraw added a 3-pointer.
McKnight finished with 19 points to lead four players in double figures as Coal Grove (13-4, 9-2) remained tied for first place in the OVC.
Dillow and Murphy scored 14 each and Crum added 11 points.
Matney led Rock Hill while Morris and Howard had six points each.
“The last time we played Rock Hill, we allowed (Makayla) Scott to score too much. (Destiny) Dolen played great shutdown defense on her,” said Roach.
Coal Grove goes to Chesapeake on Thursday. Rock Hill hosts Portsmouth West on Wednesday and Portsmouth on Thursday.
Coal Grove 18 15 25 13 = 71
Rock Hill 3 8 5 15 = 31
COAL GROVE (13-4, 9-2): Elli Holmes 1 0 1-2 3, Addi Dillow 6 0 2-2 14, Baylee McKnight 2 5 0-2 19, 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 5 0 4-4 14, Rylee Cashman 0 0 2-3 2, Abbey Hicks 1 0 2-4 4, Destiny Dolen 0 0 0-0 0, Lauren Crum 4 1 0-0 11, Jaiden Griffith 1 0 2-2 4. Totals: 26-68 13-19 71. 3-pt goals: 6. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.
ROCK HILL (3-14, 0-11): Kelsey Olderham 2 0 0-0 4, Savannah McGraw 0 1 0-0 3, Makayla Scott 1 0 0-2 2, Keilie Adams 0 0 0-0 0, Aleigha Matney 1 1 2-2 7, Kylee Howard 1 1 1-2 6, Paige Bailey 0 0 0-0 0, Autumn Porter 1 0 1-3 3, Rileigh Morris 1 0 4-5 6, Makenzie Hanshaw 0 0 0-0 0, Savannah Cade 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10-33 8-15 31. 3-pt goals: 3. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.