Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — It’s been a learning process for the Symmes Valley Vikings, and head coach Donnie Saunders said class is just beginning.

The Vikings’ young team played well with the exception of the second quarter in a 51-48 Southern Ohio Conference loss to the Green Bobcats on Tuesday.

“We grew up a lot tonight, it just came down to the second quarter,” said Saunders.

“Green played pretty well. They had a big second quarter and we’re really inexperienced and we had trouble with their transition.”

Jarod Sheppard scored 18 points and Collin Webb added 10 points to lead the Vikings (0-4, 0-3).

Green was led by Ryan Gaffney with 12 points and Andy Chavarria with 10.

Webb scored 5 points as the Vikings took a 15-9 first quarter lead.

But Symmes Valley managed just 3 points in the second quarter and Josh Karshner hit a pair of 3-point goals as Green rallied to take a 30-18 halftime lead.

Sheppard scored 11 points in the third quarter as the Vikings closed to within 38-35.

But Ryan Gaffney had 6 points in the fourth quarter as Green held on for the win.

Symmes Valley hosts Beaver Eastern on Friday.

Green 9 21 8 13 = 51

Sym. Valley 15 3 17 13 = 48

GREEN (NA): Hunter Lewis 2 0 1-2 5, Brody Stormes 3 0 0-2 6, Ryan Gaffney 4 0 4-9 12, Andy Chavarria 2 1 3-7 10, Mark Allen 4 0 0-2 8, Josh Karshner 0 2 0-0 6, Aaron Johnson 2 0 0-0 4, Tyler Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 3 8-22 51. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Allen A. Johnson.

SYMMES VALLEY (0-4, 0-3): Josh Dial 2 0 0-0 4, Collin Webb 2 1 3-5 10, Shawn Belville 2 0 2-2 6, Blake Sells 0 0 1-4 1, Payton Hayes 0 1 1-3 4, Devin Eplin 0 0 0-0 0, Eric Baldwin 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Klaiber 2 0 1-1 5, Jarod Sheppard 6 0 6-12 18. Totals: 14 2 14-27 48. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Klaiber, Belville.