WILLOW WOOD - Getting better has its price. For Symmes Valley Vikings coach Alvin Carpenter, he’s paying the bill.

The Vikings held on in the second half and beat the Portsmouth East Tartans 54-51 In a Southern Ohio Conference game Tuesday.

“I think they’re just trying to see if they drive me crazy,” Vikings coach Alvin Carpenter said of the thrilling win.

“We are playing better. East always seems to play well against us. We’ve won three in a row, so hopefully we’re starting to turn the corner.”

Kyle Meadows had eight points in the first quarter as the Vikings went up 18-13.

Matt Owens scored seven points in the second quarter as the Vikings led 29-23 at the break.

East outscored the Vikings 13-8 in the third quarter as the Tartans close to within 38-36.

But Michael Humphrey had seven points in the fourth quarter as Symmes Valley came away with the win.

Meadows led a balanced offense with 14 points. Owens and and Humphreys scored 12 each.

Humphreys grabbed 12 rebounds and Meadows 10.

Jeff Swick scored 14 points and Alex Shope had 12 for East.

Ports. East13101315=51

Sym. Valley1811916=54

PORTSMOUTH EAST (NA): Jeff Swick 4 1 3-4 14, Nathan Williams 0 1 2-3 5, Kevin Scott 1 0 2-4 4, Adam Jones 2 0 0-0 4, John Luther 1 2 2-2 10, Shane Craig 1 0 0-2 2, Alex Shope 4 0 4-6 12. Totals: 13 4 13-20

51. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (7-8, 6-4): Kirk Shipley 0 1 1-4 4, Seth Saunders 3 0 3-4 9, Kyle Meadows 6 0 3-3 14, Matt Owens 3 2 0-2 12, Michael Humphreys 4 0 4-11 12, Alex Burnett 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 20-54

(3-10)

11-24

54. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 41 (Humphreys 12, Meadows 10). Turnovers: 14. Assists: 12 (Humphreys 6, Smith 4). Steals: 9 (Humphreys 5, Shipley 2). Block shots: 4 (Meadows 3).