Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

If the Symmes Valley Vikings and St. Joseph Flyers game were a ride at Kings Island, it would be a rollercoaster.

Both teams played up and down with the Vikings finishing on an upward swing as they pulled away late to beat the Flyers 63-48 on Saturday.

“I have always been big on conditioning and it showed in the fourth quarter,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders. “I was satisfied with how we played.”

Conditioning was important for the Vikings who were playing their fourth game in six days due to re-scheduling of weather-postponed games.

“We played well in spurts. We had too many turnovers. It’s been our biggest problem all year. We just aren’t consistent,” said Flyers’ coach Jeremy Williams.

“But give Symmes Valley credit. They have a well-balanced team. They’re physical and they play good defense.”

Symmes Valley (10-9) had four players in double figures. Tyler Rowe scored 13, D.J. Miller had 12 points, Clayton Tony got 11 points and Austin Baldwin came off the bench to score 10.

Troy Scott had a game-high 17 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Flyers (6-13). Hunter Pemberton scored 12 points, Eli Lewis had 7 rebounds and 5 blocked shots and Justin Mahlmeister added 8 points and 4 assists.

“Scott and Pemberton played real well. Chris Lewis did a nice job defensively. All three are sophomores, so that’s a good sign,” said Williams.

Dylan Malone scored all 8 of his points in the first quarter as the Vikings took an 18-9 lead. Mahlmeister had all 8 of his points in the quarter for the Flyers.

St. Joseph reversed the play in the second quarter. Scott and Grant Geswein combined for 10 points and the Flyers tied the game at the half, 24-24.

Symmes Valley eased ahead 38-36 at the end of the third quarter as Rowe, Tony and Jonathan Kouns scored 4 points each.

Pemberton hit a pair of 3-pointers and Scott scored 6 points to keep the Flyers close.

The Vikings began to pull away in the fourth quarter. Miller scored 9 points as the Vikings outscored the Flyers 25-12.

On Tuesday, the Vikings host South Gallia and the Flyers entertain Portsmouth Notre Dame.

Sym Valley 18 6 14 25 = 63

St. Joseph 9 15 12 12 = 48

SYMMES VALLEY (10-9): Alec Herrell 0 0 0-0 0, Jonathan Kouns 2 1 2-2 9, Zane Wheeler 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Pelletier 0 0 0-0 0, D.J. Miller 1 2 4-6 12, Austin Baldwin 4 0 2-3 10, Clayton Tony 3 1 2-3 11, Dylan Malone 4 0 0-1 8, Tyler Rowe 6 0 1-2 13. Totals: 20 4 11-17 63. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None

ST. JOSEPH (6-13): Hunter Pemberton 1 3 1-2 12, Grant Geswein 1 0 2-2 4, Cole Willis 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Chris Lewis 1 0 0-0 2, Troy Scott 6 0 5-7 17, Eli Lewis 2 0 1-2 5, Joseph Payton 0 0 0-0 0, Shannon Litton 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Mahlmeister 3 0 2-2 8, Trey Young 0 0 0-0 0, Lane Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-38 11-15 48. 3-point goals: 5-14. Rebounds: 21 (E. Lewis 7, Scott 6). Assists: 10 (Mahlmeister 4). Steals: 7 (Payton 3, Scott 2). Blocked shots: 7 (E. Lewis 5). Turnovers: 20. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.