Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Don’t check your engine. That clicking you hear is just fine with Symmes Valley Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

The Vikings’ offense was hitting on all cylinders Friday as they rolled to an 86-73 win over the Western Indians in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“Everything was clicking. If they don’t have the turnovers, they can score a ton of points. Western is a good team. I was concerned with that,” said Saunders.

The Vikings (10-5, 7-3) rolled up the point total despite 25 turnovers.

Johnathan Kouns had 21 points to lead four players in double figures. Tyler Rowe and Dylan Malone scored 18 each and Jacob Klaiber had 11.

Dakota Garrett scored a game-high 27 points for Western (6-11, 6-5). Nick Shanks scored 16 and Dylan Lee had 10.

Kouns scored 10 points and Ryan Gibson had five of his eight in the first quarter as the Vikings took a 24-16 lead.

Rowe scored nine in the second quarter as the Vikings built a 47-34 halftime lead.

The Vikings led 64-49 after three quarter, but Garrett got hot and scored 16 points in the fourth quarter as the Indians cut the deficit to nine points.

The Vikings didn’t waiver as they hit 8-of-11 from the foul line down the stretch with Rowe going 3-of-4. Collin Webb and Rowe scored five points each in the quarter.

Western 16 18 15 24 = 73

Sym. Valley 24 23 17 22 = 86

LATHAM WESTERN (6-11, 6-5): Dylan Stevens 1 0 0-0 2, Dylan Lee 2 2 0-0 10, Chase Fite 0 0 0-0 0, Dakota Garrett 6 5 0-2 27, Ethan Riggs 2 0 1-2 5, Blake Wolfe 0 0 1-2 1, Nick Shanks 7 0 2-7 16, Bryce Brewster 2 0 4-8 8, Bandon Brewster 2 0 0-2 4. 22 7 8-23 73. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None

SYMMES VALLEY (10-5, 7-3): Dylan Malone 8 0 2-2 18, Collin Webb 2 0 1-1 5, Kurt Adams 1 1 0-0 5, Jonathan Kouns 9 1 0-2 21, Jacob Klaiber 4 0 3-3 11, Tyler Rowe 7 0 4-5 18, Ryan Gibson 3 0 2-2 8. Totals: 34 0 12-15 86. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.