Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Things seem to go a lot better when you’re making baskets.

The Symmes Valley Vikings scored a season-high in points as they routed the Buffalo (W.Va.) Bisons 70-46 on Saturday.

“Things finally kicked in. We made some baskets tonight. Buffalo is athletic, but we shot the ball better,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders. “They’re learning from their losses. They took another step tonight.”

Symmes Valley (1-5) was led by Collin Webb with 22 points and Payton Hayes with 20 including five 3-pointers. Shawn Belville added 10 points to the win.

Logan Hunt had 17 points to pace Buffalo (0-3).

Hayes scored 9 and Jacob Klaiber 6 points in the first quarter as the Vikings jumped in front 21-12.

“We got off to a good start. We keep telling them not to lose their confidence. It’ll come,” said Saunders.

Webb erupted for 16 points in the second quarter to offset 10 points by Hunt as Symmes Valley extended the lead to 41-26.

The Vikings outscored the Bisons 29-20 in the second half as Hayes hit three more 3-pointers.

Symmes Valley visits South Gallia on Tuesday.

Buffalo 12 14 8 12 = 46

Sym. Valley 21 20 16 13 = 70

BUFFALO (0-3): Logan Hunt 2 4 1-2 17, Austin Hensley 1 2 1-2 9, Jarrett Bailey 1 0 0-2 2, Tyler Morlachetta 3 0 1-3 7, Ty Smith 2 0 0-0 4, Nicholas Whittington 0 1 0-2 3, Ethan Burgess 0 1 0-0 3, Jacob Easton 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 9 8 4-13 46. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (1-5): Josh Dial 1 0 0-0 2, Collin Webb 8 2 0-0 22, Shawn Belville 5 0 0-0 10, Blake Sells 1 0 0-0 2, Payton Hayes 1 5 3-5 20, Devin Eplin 1 0 0-0 2, Eric Baldwin 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Klaiber 4 0 0-0 8, Matt Rutt 2 0 0-0 4, Chayden Renfroe 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 7 3-7 70. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Klaiber.