Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Now that was a growth spurt.

The Symmes Valley Vikings came of age with a key 55-44 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans on Friday.

The Vikings are now 11-5 overall and 9-3 in the SOC. Notre Dame is 16-4 and 10-3 in the SOC. Eastern leads the league at 11-2.

“The kids grew up tonight. They took a big step. I hope it continues,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

Jonathan Kouns had 22 points to lead the Vikings. Dylan Malone scored 11 and Jacob Klaiber added 10.

Jack Kayser scored 13 and Trevon Turner 10 for the Titans.

Malone and Kouns combined for all 10 Vikings’ points in the first quarter and the game was tied at 10.

Kouns got nine points in the second quarter as Symmes Valley took a 29-20 lead at halftime.

Turner scored eight points in the third quarter to match the Vikings’ total and Notre Dame closed to within 37-32.

The Titans never got closer than five points the rest of the game and the Vikings shot all of their free throws in the fourth quarter as they converted 12-of-18 from the line. Klaiber was 4-of-4 and Kouns went 2-for-2.

“The second quarter is where we got our separation on them, then we hit our foul shots in the fourth quarter,” said Saunders.

Sym. Valley 10 19 8 18 = 55

Notre Dame 10 10 12 12 = 44

SYMMES VALLEY (11-5, 9-3): Dylan Malone 3 1 2-4 11, Kurt Adams 0 0 0-0 0, Jonathan Kouns 7 2 2-2 22, Jacob Klaiber 3 0 4-4 10, Tyler Rowe 3 0 2-4 8, Ryan Gibson 1 0 2-4 4. Totals: 17 3 12-18 55. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (16-4, 10-3): Dakota Smith 2 1 1-2 8, Jack Kayser 4 1 2-4 13, Will Haney 0 0 0-0 0, Will Toleman 1 0 2-5 4, Trevon Turner 2 2 0-0 10, C.J. Smith 1 0 0-0 2, Daniel Ogg 2 0 3-6 7. Totals: 12 4 8-17 44. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Toleman.