Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Maybe it was just the first game of the season, but the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings need to get a few things worked out.

The Lady Vikings were unable to maintain a lead as they lost 50-48 in overtime to the Portsmouth Clay Lady Panthers on Monday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“At times we didn’t play well with the lead. We have to learn to play with a lead. We played like we were behind,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker.

The Lady Vikings also struggled from the field. They made just 16 of 71 field goal attempts for 23 percent.

“We played hard. I was proud of that. We just need to shoot better and take better percentage shots,” said Walker.

Meranda Hayes had 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals to lead the Lady Vikings.

Kaitlyn Payne added eight points, nine rebounds and four steals.

Lexie Gilliand scored 21 points and Cassie Wolf 13 to pace Clay (1-1).

Sierra Ross scored five points as the Lady Vikings took a 12-10 first quarter lead. And it was 21-17 at the half.

Clay got within 32-31 at the end of the third quarter despite eight points by Hayes.

Clay converted 9 of 16 at the foul line in the fourth quarter to lead 48-46.

With six players having fouled out, the Lady Vikings’ bench became vital. Freshman Maddy Scott hit two foul shots with 0.07 seconds left to tie the game and force the overtime.

“We had to use our bench and we had four freshmen play who have never been in a varsity game. That was a lot to ask of them,” said Walker.

Clay made just 6 of 16 from the line in overtime, but Wolfe added a basket as the Lady Vikings managed just a 3-pointer by Breanna Brumfield and 3 of 6 from the line.

Symmes Valley hosts Green Thursday in a league game.

Symmes Valley 12 9 11 10 6 = 48

Portsmouth Clay 10 7 12 13 8 = 50

SYMMES VALLEY (0-1, 0-1): Kaitlyn Crabtree 0 0 1-2 1, Sierra Ross 1 1 0-0 5, Kinsey Kazee 0 0 0-0 0, Breanna Brumfield 2 0 0-0 6, Elly Fulks 0 1 0-0 3, Meranda Hayes 6 1 3-5 18, Kaitlyn Payne 2 1 1-2 8, Shaylah Tibbs 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsea Massie 0 0 2-2 2, Kinzie Kitts 0 0 0-0 0, Kassie Baldwin 0 0 0-0 0, Maddie Scott 1 0 3-6 5, Jensyn Shepherd 0 0 0-2 0. Totals: 16-71 10-19 48. 3-point goals: 6-24. Rebounds: 17-O, 19-D = 36 (Hayes 10, Payne 9). Assists: 6 (Hayes 3). Steals: 10 (Payne 4, Hayes 3, Brumfield 3). Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 35. Fouled out: Hayes, Payne, Ross, Scott, Shepherd, Brumfield.

PORTSMOUTH CLAY (1-1, 1-0): Cami Whitley 2 0 3-6 7, Hunter Adams 2 0 2-4 6, Lexie Gilliland 5 0 11-11 21, Regan Osborn 0 0 2-8 2, Danielle Cline 0 0 1-4 1, Danielle Everman 0 0 0-0 0, Sydney Osborn 0 0 0-2 0, Cassie Wolf 5 0 3-9 13. Totals: 14 0 22-51 50. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Whitley, Wolfe.