By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

ROCKSPRINGS — The will to win.

The Symmes Valley Vikings were determined to win, and Tyler Rowe’s free throw with 3.8 seconds left did just that as they edged the Waterford Wildcats 51-50 to win the Division IV sectional title on Tuesday at Meigs High School.

“We wanted it,” said Vikings’ coach Jerome Fuller. “They left the door open and we took advantage of it. We gave ourselves a chance to win and never quit.”

D.J. Miller had 13 points to lead a balanced Vikings’ offense. Austin Baldwin had 12 points and 9 rebounds, Rowe had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists while Alec Herrell added 10 points and 3 assists.

Tate Lang led Waterford (10-11) with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Austin Shriver had 12 points and 7 assists. Braden Burer grabbed 10 rebounds.

The game was tight throughout. Waterford led 14-13 after the first quarter and it was 26-25 at the half.

Waterford pulled away to a 43-38 lead after the third quarter despite 11 points by Miller.

“Miller stepped up and hit some shots for us,” said Fuller.

The Wildcats took a 47-40 lead with five minutes left, but the Vikings went on a 10-0 run to take a 50-47 led.

After the Vikings missed two foul shots, Austin Hilverding put up a 3-pointer that hit the rim and bounced high into the air before dropping through the basket to tie the game with a minute left.

The Vikings (8-14) were holding the ball for a final shot only to turn it over with eight seconds left. The Wildcats missed a shot and Rowe was fouled getting the rebound. Rowe hit one of his two free throw attempts with 3.8 seconds left to give the Vikings the win.

“They have a real player in Tate. He had 18 points, but Baldwin actually did a nice job on him,” said Fuller.

The Vikings will play South Webster at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Ohio University in the district semifinals.

Sym. Valley 13 12 13 13 = 51

Waterford 14 12 17 7 = 50

SYMMES VALLEY (8-14): Alec Herrell 3 1 1-2 10, Johnathan Kouns 0 0 0-0 0, D.J. Miller 2 3 0-0 13, Lane Wilson 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Wilson 0 1 0-0 3, Tanner Conley 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Baldwin 6 0 0-0 12, Mitch Corn 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Rowe 4 0 3-7 11. Totals: 21-48 4-9 51. 3-point goals: 5-12. Rebounds: 28 (Rowe 11, Baldwin 9). Assists: 11 (Rowe 4, Herrell 3). Steals: 8 (Miller 3, Kouns 2). Turnovers: 23. Blocked shots: 2. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.

WATERFORD (10-11): Brian Moore 1 1 0-2 5, Austin Hillverding 0 2 1-2 7, Bradn Burer 3 0 1-3 7, Austin Shriver 3 1 3-4 12, Matt West 0 0 1-2 1, Tate Lang 7 0 4-11 18, Eli Stahler 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-56 10-24 50. 3-point goals: 4. Rebounds: 31 (Lang 13, Burer 10). Assists: 14 (Shriver 7). Steals: 18 (Moore 8). Turnovers: 14. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.