Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — It wasn’t the Grand Canyon, but it was definitely a pretty deep hole.

The Symmes Valley Vikings fell behind by 14 points at halftime and never recovered as they lost 63-53 to the Portsmouth Clay Panthers Monday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We got down too far against them. They’re too good of a team. They can answer,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

The Vikings were plagued by 19 turnovers and trailed 33-19 at the half. However, they came back to outscore Clay 34-30 in the second half.

“They’re big and they forced some turnovers. We started blow but we played pretty good in the second half,” said Saunders.

After falling behind 14-9 at the end of the first quarter and getting outscored 19-10 in the second quarter, Seth Jarrell hit a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter as the Vikings cut the deficit to 46-34.

Dylan Malone scored all 7 of his points in the fourth quarter for the Vikings to offset 8 points by Clay’s Michael Schmidt, but the Panthers converted 9-of-11 from the foul line to prevent any comeback hopes.

Jonathon Kouns had 13 points and Tyler Rowe scored 11 points to lead the Vikings (5-2, 3-1).

Clay (5-4, 3-1) was led by Eldin Sarajlic and Schmidt with 18 points each.

The Vikings play at Western on Friday.

Ports. Clay 14 19 13 17 = 63

Sym. Valley 9 10 15 19 = 53

PORTSMOUTH CLAY (5-4, 3-1): Adam Cooper 1 1 2-2 7, Aaron Phipps 1 0 0-0 2, Conner Phipps 0 0 1-2 1, Zach Phillips 0 1 0-0 3, Eldin Sarajlic 5 0 8-11 18, Michael Schmidt 8 0 2-4 18, Mason Pelphrey 2 0 2-2 6, Isaach Hines 1 1 3-4 8. Totals: 18 3 18-25 63. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (5-2, 3-1): Dylan Malone 2 1 0-0 7, Seth Jarrell 1 2 0-0 8, Kurt Adams 1 1 0-0 5, Jonathon Kouns 4 0 5-7 13, Jacob Klaiber 2 0 4-6 8, Tyler Rowe 5 0 1-2 11, Ryan Gibson 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 16 4 9-15 53. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: None.