Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — After falling into their comfort zone, the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings let things get a little uncomfortable.

The Lady Vikings built a 15-point halftime lead, then held on in the fourth quarter to beat the Western Lady Indians 47-42 Thursday in a Southern Ohio Conference I game.

“We got comfortable. We came out and got a big lead the first half and we came out the second half and didn’t play with the same intensity,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker.

“We were lucky to get out of there with a win, but it was a big win for us. With the tournament draw coming up and another game Saturday, we need to put ourselves in as good of a position as we can for the tournament seeding,” said Walker.

Merranda Hayes had 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals to lead the Lady Vikings (9-11, 7-6). Megan Johnson scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Kalli Hunt added 8 points and 7 rebounds, Kayla Hayes had 8 points and Sarah Crabtree grabbed 7 rebounds.

Johnson scored 6 points in the first quarter as Symmes Valley bolted to a 15-4 lead.

Merranda Hayes scored 9 points in the second quarter as the Lady Vikings extended the lead to 29-14 at the break.

Kaitlyn Paynes scored all 6 of her points in the third quarter as the lead went to 45-28.

But the Lady Vikings managed just 2 points — Johnson was 2 for 2 at the foul line — in the fourth quarter as Western mounted a late rally.

“I think we were a little flat. We were coming off an emotional win on Monday and then we had the long bus ride and they just took it to us in the fourth quarter,” said Walker.

The Lady Vikings host Manchester Saturday with the jayvee game beginning at 1 p.m.

“We were lucky to get out of there with a win, but it was a big win for us. With the tournament draw coming up and another game Saturday, we need to put ourselves in as good of a position as we can for the tournament seeding,” said Walker.

Sym. Valley 15 14 16 2 = 47

Western 4 10 14 14 = 42

SYMMES VALLEY (9-11, 7-6): Malenna Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Merranda Hayes 4 1 1-2 12, Breanna Brumfield 0 0 0-0 0, Gracie Waddell 1 0 1-1 3, Kayla Hayes 4 0 0-0 8, Kalli Hunt 4 0 0-0 8, Megan Johnson 4 0 2-2 10, Sarah Crabtree 0 0 0-3 0, Kaitlyn Payne 3 0 0-2 6. Totals: 21-49 4-10 47. 3-point goals: 1-2. Rebounds: 12 offense, 19 defense = 31 (Hunt 7, Crabtree 7, Johnson 6, Waddell 5). Assists: 10 (Waddell 3). Steals: 13 (Me. Hayes 4). Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.

WESTERN PIKE (NA): Haley Knauf 1 0 0-0 2, Erin Brewster 1 0 0-0 2, Mowery Wilson 2 0 0-0 4, Brittany Reader 4 1 0-0 11, Lexi Coulson 0 0 0-0 0, Chrissy Woods 6 0 0-0 12, Liz Jackson 4 0 3-4 11. Totals: 18 1 3-4 42. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.