Anson, Kitts answer challenge in Lady Hornets win regular season finale

COAL GROVE — This was a case of the big girls coming up big.

The Coal Grove Lady Hornets called upon their two tallest players to step up against the height of the Green Lady Bobcats on Wednesday.

The Lady Hornets’ Jenna Anson and Izzy Kitts did just that as Coal Grove beat the Lady Bobcats 50-39 in a non-league game.

“We wanted to challenge their big girls and bring extra bodies when they got in the paint,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Nick Miller.”Izzy (Kitts) and Jenna (Anson) defended them well.”

Another big reason for the win was a big shooting night from Emma Lively who knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 25 points for the Lady Hornets (17-5).

“I’m happy that Emma had a big night. It helped us to win the game and hopefully will carry over into the tournament,” said Miller.

“I think it was a good tournament tune-up for both teams.”

Coal Grove took a 14-10 first quarter lead as Lively drained a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points.

Abbie Knapp scored all 10 of Green’s points in the quarter including a 3-pointer.

The Lady Bobcats cut the deficit to just 23-22 at the half as Knapp had 6 more points and Laney Strickland got 3 points.

Anson was 4-of-4 at the foul line while Lively hit another trey and scored 5 points for Coal Grove.

The Lady Hornets held Green to just 5 points in the third quarter and opened a 39-27 lead as Lively drilled another pair of 3-pointers while Kitts and Anson scored 4 points each.

Addy Christian hit a 3-pointer and Knapp added a basket for Green (16-4).

Lively and Anson scored 4 points each in the fourth quarter to thwart any comeback attempt.

Strickland nailed a 3-pointer and scored 7 points while Knapp was 5-for-6 at the line but that was not enough to overtime the Lady Hornets’ lead.

Anson finished with 12 points and Kitts scored 8.

Knapp had 23 points for Green with Strickland getting 10.

Miller took a moment to offer condolences to the family of Green’s Elizabeth McBee.

“Our sympathies go out to Elizabeth McBee and her family on the tragic loss of her grandfather today,” said Miller.

Coal Grove will play Belpre at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Southeastern High School in the district tournament.

Green will face the winner between Symmes Valley and New Boston in the district tournament at 6:15 p.m. at Lucasville Valley High School.

Green 10 12 5 12 = 39

Coal Grove 14 9 16 11 = 50

GREEN (16-4): Sydney Bainer 0 0 0-0 0, Addison Blizzard 0 1 0-0 3, Laney Strickland 3 1 1-1 10, Addy Christian 0 1 0-0 3, Olivia Blevins 0 0 0-0 0, Abbie Knapp 6 1 8-12 23. Totals: 9 4 9-15 39. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (17-5): Palin Hunter 0 0 1-2 1, Haili McKnight 0. 0 0-0 0, Kendall Taylor 1 0 0-2 2, Karli Shore 0 0 0-0 0, Shay Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Emma Lively 5 5 0-0 25, Izzy Kitts 3 0 2-2 8, Jenna Anson 2 0 8-10 12, Rebekah Dome 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12 5 11-16 50. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.