COAL GROVE — The Young Ones.
Unlike the movie where there is a drought for water, the Coal Grove Lady Hornets’ have an experience and height drought that Coach Nick Miller must try to overcome.
“We only have three players who have a driver’s license,” said a joking Miller. “We don’t have a whole lot of experience. We’re playing teams for the most part with a lot of juniors and seniors. We start five sophomores who start and a junior and a freshman who come off the bench.
“So, we are very young and unfortunately the top end of our league is as good as it’s ever been. In the middle of the pack there are some good teams. Last year we had some seniors who got us through some games that were close.”
One of the returning starters is 5-foot-2 sophomore point guard Kendall Taylor.
“Kendall plays a lot of travel ball. She’s probably played more basketball than any other kid in our program,” said Miller.
“She’s has a good head for the game, understands the game as well as anybody we have and handles the ball well even against Fairland who tries to pressure the ball.”
The shooting guard is 5-8 sophomore Emma Lively and Miller said “she’s smart kid and a streaky 3-point shooter. When she gets on a roll, she can really fill it up.”
The small forward is 5-8 sophomore Izzy Kitts who got a lot of playing time last season.
“We’d like to see Izzy take over the role Olivia Noel had last year as the slasher and driver.She has the physical ability to do it, she just needs the confidence to do it,” said Miller.
The other forward is sophomore Jenna Anson who is a returning starter and is currently the team’s leading scorer. Joining her on the backline will be 5-8 sophomore Kasey Vanderhoof.
“Jenna does a really nice job around the basket. She has a high motor,” said Miller. “Kasey played some last year. We’re so small I decided to go with her. She’s provided some physicality inside and we’re hoping she can get to where she can score five or six points a game.”
The top players off the bench currently are Shay Collins and 5-6 freshman Harmonee Boggs.
“Shay is a streak shooter. Last year in a jayvee game she made seven straight 3s. She’s small, but she has the ability to come in and score,” said Miller.
“A girl we are hopeful for is Harmonee Boggs. She’s an athletic kid. She shoots the ball well. She’s had some training and you can see that she’s improving. We’re hoping she can come in and give us some time off the bench.”
Miller said Portsmouth and Fairland are at the top of the league but several other teams are close and have some talent.
Coal Grove Lady Hornets
2024-25 Basketball Roster
No. Player Pos. Ht. Gr.
1 Addison Meyer G 5-05 Fr.
2 Haili McKnight G 5-00 Fr.
3 Kendall Taylor PG 5-02 So.
5 Kalli Vanderhoof F 5-09 So.
10 Kasey Vanderhoof F 5-08 So.
11 Shay Collins PG 5-02 Jr.
12 Emma Lively F 5-08 So.
14 Rianna Best G 5-04 Fr
15 Christa Fry G 5-05 Fr.
20 Izzy Kitts F 5-08 So
21 Jenna Anson C 5-09 So.
22 Addison Best G 5-04 Fr,
23 Harmonee Boggs F 5-06 Fr.
25 Sophie Short C 5-09 So.
41 Abbie Deeds G 5-02 Sr.
Head coach: Nick Miller
Assistant coaches: Bryan Mulkey, Haley Bartram
Coal Grove Lady Hornets
2024-25 Schedule
November
23 SOUTHEASTERN (L, 41-54)
27 at Symmes Valley (W, 45-35)
December
3 at Fairland# (L, 23-73)
6 GALLIPOLIS# (L, 33-52)
10 SOUTH POINT# (L, 40-49)
13 PORTSMOUTH# 6:00
17 at Chesapeake# 6:00
21 FAIRVIEW, Ky. 12:00
28 TOLSIA, W.Va. 6:00
January
3 at Ironton# 6:00
7 ROCK HILL# 6:00
11 at River Valley 6:00
13 FAIRLAND# 6:00
16 at Gallipolis# 6:00
20 at Fairview, Ky. 6:00
23 at South Point# 6:00
27 at Portsmouth# 6:00
30 CHESAPEAKE# 6:00
February
1 at Tolsia, W.Va. 6:00
3 at Rock Hill# 6:00
6 IRONTON# 6:00
8 at Green 6:00
#-Denotes OVC game
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