Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — The young Symmes Valley Vikings have been struggling, so the last thing they needed to see Friday night was the unbeaten Eastern Eagles.

Eastern took over sole possession of first place in the Southern Ohio Conference with a 75-36 win over the Vikings.

“We’re just not scoring. We need to be a little more patient with our shot selection,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“But we were no match for them tonight. They’re a good team.”

Josh Thacker scored 23 points and Garrett Fitch add 10 points as 10 different players scored for Eastern (5-0, 3-0).

Jacob Klaiber had 13 points and Collin Webb 7 for the Vikings (0-5, 0-3).

Thacker scored 9 points in the first quarter to jump-start the Eagles who took an 18-5 lead. They led 38-17 at the half and never looked back.

The Vikings played Buffalo, W.Va., on Saturday and visits South Gallia on Tuesday.

Eastern 18 20 16 21 = 75

Sym. Valley 5 12 8 11 = 36

BEAVER EASTERN (5-0, 3-0): Tyler Hale 1 0 0-0 2, Clay Martin 1 0 2-4 4, Garrett Fitch 2 2 0-0 10, Brennan Bobst 2 0 3-6 7, Ben Hesson 2 0 3-4 7, Ethan Leist 2 1 2-3 9, Quintin Alley 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Thacker 10 1 0-2 23, Hunter Thornsberry 0 0 0-0 0, Dalton Tomlinson 2 0 0-0 4, Austin Creech 2 1 0-0 7, Ethan Green 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 25 5 10-19 75. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (0-5, 0-3): Levi Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Dial 0 1 0-0 3, Collin Webb 3 0 1-3 7, Shawn Belville 0 0 1-2 1, Blake Sells 1 0 0-0 2, Payton Hayes 0 0 5-6 5, Devin Eplin 1 1 0-0 5, Jacob Klaiber 5 0 3-4 13, Matt Rutt 0 0 0-0 0, Chayden Renfroe 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 2 10-15 36. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Klaiber.