Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — Let’s see, offense? Check. Rebounding? Check. Defense? Check and double check.
The Symmes Valley Vikings used a strong defensive effort to get past the Green Bobcats 60-48 in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Friday.
“I know you’ve got to score, but rebounding and solid defense won this game,” said Vikings’ coach Saunders.
“We played good defense, especially in the fourth quarter. That quarter was the best we’ve played all season.”
The Vikings scoring came from Jarod Sheppard with 19 points and Payton Hayes with 16 points.
“It was a great team win. Everyone who played contributed,” said Saunders. “I even have to give the student section some credit. They were outstanding and really motivated our players.”
Green (2-1, 0-1) was led by Tanner Kimbler with 19 points. Tayte Carver scored 13 and Aaron Johnson 11.
Green took a 14-9 first quarter lead but Sheppard scored 6 points in the second quarter as Symmes Valley (2-1, 1-0) came back to take a 29-26 halftime lead.
The Bobcats made the comeback run in the third quarter and went ahead 41-39.
But the Vikings’ defense took over in the fourth quarter while Sheppard took care of the offense.
Sheppard scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and Chayden Renfroe held Kimbler scoreless in the quarter as the Vikings outscored the Bobcats 23-7.
The Vikings hosts Rose Hill Christian on Tuesday.
Green          14    12    15    7    =    48
Sym. Valley    9    20    10    23    =    60
GREEN (2-1, 0-1): Tanner Kimbler 3 3 4-4 19, Tayte Carver 3 2 1-2 13, Aaron Johnson 5 0 1-5 11, Zack Huffman 0 0 1-3 1, Justin Deerfield 1 0 0-0 2, Alex Hughes 0 0 1-2 1, Caden Blizzard 0 0 1-2 1, Jake Carver 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 5 9-18 44. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Kimbler.
SYMMES VALLEY (2-1, 1-0): Levi Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Chayden Renfroe 1 2 1-2 9, Payton Hayes 3 2 4-4 16, Laykin Gothard 0 1 2-2 5, Austin Mannon 2 0 0-0 4, Hunter Adams 0 1 0-0 3, Jarod Sheppard 5 2 3-5 19, Brock Carpenter 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 16 7 11-13 60. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.