By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

WILLOW WOOD — It was a good thing the forest fire risk was low on Friday because the Oak Hill Oaks were lighting it up.

The Oaks used a strong shooting performance to beat the Symmes Valley Vikings 68-36 in the season opener.

“They shot the ball well and we didn’t,” said Vikings’ coach Jerome Fuller. “We’ve got to get better and play harder.”

Symmes Valley was just 12 of 54 from the field for 22 percent and only 3 of 13 from 3-point range. The Vikings were without senior Tyler Wilson due to a knee injury.

Luke Hammond hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 20 points to lead Oak Hill. Nick Gaines scored 14 points and Drew Haislop scored 11 points including a pair of trifectas. The Oaks made six 3-pointers.

Austin Baldwin had 8 points to lead the Vikings.

Hammond scored 7 points in the first quarter as Oak Hill raced to an 18-8 lead. It was 31-14 at the half.

Gaines knocked down 8 points in the third quarter as the Oaks extended the lead to 51-23.

Oak Hill 18 13 20 17 = 68

Sym. Valley 8 6 9 13 = 36

OAK HILL (1-0): Garin Stiltner 1 1 2-2 7, Nathan Kidd 0 0 1-2 1, Nick Gaines 6 0 2-4 14, Drew Haislop 1 2 3-4 11, Jordan Fisher 1 0 0-0 2, Kyle Love 2 1 2-3 9, Luke Hammond 5 2 4-4 20, Josh Kaiser 1 0 2-6 4. Totals: 17 6 16-25 68. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (0-1): Alec Herrell 2 1 0-0 7, Zane Wheeler 0 2 0-0 6, Dylan Pelletier 1 0 2-3 4, D.J. Miller 0 0 0-0 0, Lane Wilson 0 0 1-2 1, Tanner Conley 2 0 1-2 5, Austin Baldwin 4 0 0-1 8, Mitch Corn 0 0 3-4 3, Tyler Rowe 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 12-54 9-14 36. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Rowe. 3-point goals: 3-13. Rebounds: 28 (Rowe 7). Steals: 3. Blocked shots: 3. Turnovers: 12.