Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Symmes Valley realized that “quit” is a four-letter word.

Trailing most of the game, the Lady Vikings rallied in the fourth quarter to edge the Rock Hill Redwomen 55-53 on Monday.

“We just didn’t quit tonight. We fought sickness and foul trouble and we still found a way to win. We played great situational basketball and executed the game plan,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker.

Meranda Hayes scored 16 points and 2 assists while Kaitlyn Payne got 14 points and 10 rebounds as three players reached double figures.

After getting 13 points and 15 rebounds against New Boston, Jensyn Shepherd had 11 points and 10 rebounds for a second straight double-double.

Breanna Brumfield had 6 rebounds for the Lady Vikings (6-9).

“It was a great team effort tonight. I couldn’t be prouder of my players and coaching staff. It was a true team effort,” said Walker.

“We preach the word together and we were tonight. We got in foul trouble early and we got great minutes out of everyone on the bench.”

Kaci Russell scored a game-high 22 points to pace Rock Hill (5-11). Madison Damron and Samantha Dillon added 8 points each.

“(Coach Greg Damron) does a great job and his girls play hard. It’s always a great game when our teams get together,” said Walker.

Rock Hill got 3-pointers from Jill Hairston and Damron to help take a 15-8 first quarter lead.

Payne scored 5 points as the Lady Vikings cut the deficit to 24-18 at the half. Russell got 6 points for the Redwomen.

Each team had 12 points in the third quarter and it was 36-30.

Payne had 8 points and Hayes 7 points and the Lady Vikings converted 8 of 11 from the foul line in the fourth quarter comeback.

Russell scored 6 and Damron 5 for the Redwomen.

On Thursday, Symmes Valley visits Wellston and Rock Hill hosts Coal Grove.

Rock Hill 15 9 12 17 = 53

Sym. Valley 8 10 12 25 = 55

ROCK HILL (5-11): Jill Hairston 0 2 1-2 7, Madison Damron 1 2 0-0 8, Anna Darby 1 0 3-7 5, Patty Riffe 0 0 3-4 3, Caitlyn Meadows 0 0 0-0 0, Samantha Dillon 2 0 4-6 8, Kyleigh Noel 0 0 0-2 0, Kaci Russell 5 2 6-10 22. Totals: 9 6 17-31 53. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Darby.

SYMMES VALLEY (6-9): Kaitlyn Crabtree 0 0 0-0 0, Sierra Ross 0 0 0-0 0, Breanna Brumfield 0 0 4-4 4, Elly Fulks 1 0 0-2 2, Meranda Hayes 6 1 1-3 16, Kaitlyn Payne 4 0 6-9 14, Maddie Scott 2 0 0-0 4, Payton Walsh 2 0 0-1 4, Jensyn Shepherd 5 0 1-2 11. Totals: 20 1 12-21 55. Fouls: 26. Fouled out: Brumfield, Walsh.