Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

POMEROY — Turnovers proved to be a real turn off for the Symmes Valley Vikings.

The Vikings were guilty of 24 turnovers including 12 steals by Waterford as the Wildcats pulled off a 57-40 win on Wednesday in the Division IV sectional finals.

“We missed a lot of key shots and turned the ball over. Waterford came ready to play, but we just didn’t execute,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

Symmes Valley started the game well by taking a 14-9 lead. Waterford rallied with an 8-2 run and took a 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After falling behind 21-16 in the second quarter, the Vikings went on a 7-2 run that tied the game 25-25 at the half.

Tyler Rowe scored inside to begin the second half and put the Vikings ahead for what proved to be the last time.

Waterford took over from that point on. The Wildcats scored 12 unanswered points and surged ahead 37-27.

Austin Baldwin and D.J. Miller scored to end the run and get the Vikings within 37-31 to end the quarter.

Brian Moore made a foul shot and Tanner Pottmeyer hit a layup as Waterford went up 40-31 to start the fourth quarter.

Dylan Malone had a putback but Pottmeyer hit an 18-footer, Eli Strahler made a layup and Austin Shriver sank a pair of free throws and the Wildcats’ lead was stretched to 46-33.

Clayton Tony’s foul shot got the Vikings within 46-34, but they would get no closer the rest of the game.

Rowe and Miller scored 10 points each to lead the Vikings who finished the season 12-11. Austin Baldwin grabbed seven rebounds.

Moore scored 19 points and Shriver had 12 points — he was 8-of-8 at the foul line — to pace the Wildcats (9-13).

Waterford plays Sciotoville East at 8 p.m. Monday in the district semifinals at Ohio University.

Waterford 17 8 17 15 = 57

Sym. Valley 16 9 8 7 = 40

WATERFORD (9-13): Brian Moore 4 2 5-8 19, Austin Shriver 2 0 8-8 12, Eli Strahler 2 0 0-0 4, Cody Paxton 7 0 1-4 15, Jacob McCutcheon 0 0 0-0 0, Tanner Pottmeyer 1 0 0-0 2, Tryston Crawford 0 0 0-0 0, Mitch Ginther 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Bauerbach 0 0 0-0 0, Joe Pugh 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-43 15-22 57. 3-point goals: 2. Rebounds: 27 (Porter 6, Moore 5, Strahler 5, Shriver 4, Paxton 4). Assists: 11: Moore 3, Pottmeyer 3). Steals: 12 (Moore 6). Turnovers: 17.

SYMMES VALLEY (12-11): Alec Herrell 0 0 0-0 0, Jonathan Kouns 3 0 0-1 6, Zane Wheeler 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Pelletier 0 0 0-0 0, Ryan Gibson 0 0 0-0 0, D.J. Miller 5 0 0-2 10, Jacob Graybeal 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Baldwin 2 0 0-0 4, Seth Jarrell 0 0 0-0 0, Clayton Tony 1 1 1-3 6, Dylan Moore 2 0 0-0 4, Tyler Rowe 3 0 4-4 10, Matt Rutt 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-43 5-10 40. 3-point goals: 1. Rebounds: 23 (Baldwin 7, Tony 4). Assists: 4. Steals: 8 (Rowe 3). Turnovers: 24.