Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Vikings keep taking steps in the right direction.

Coming off their first league win at New Boston on Tuesday, the Vikings showed yet more improvement despite a 45-41 Southern Ohio Conference loss to the Western Indians on Friday.

“It was a big improvement. We were right there, we just needed to make a few more plays,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“We played really well defensively, we just missed some shots.”

Shawn Belville scored 14 points and Collin Webb had 10 points to lead the Vikings (2-7, 1-4).

Bryce Brewster had 13 points and Zack Herman hit three 3-pointers to lead Western.

Webb scored 6 points to match 6 points by the Brewster as each team scored 10 points in the first quarter.

Western pulled away to a 21-16 halftime lead and Brewster scored 7 more points in the third quarter as the Indians outscored the Vikings 18-11 to go up 39-27.

Belville scored 10 points in the first quarter as the Vikings got within 42-39, but they couldn’t get any closer as Western escaped with the win.

Symmes Valley played at Ironton St. Joseph on Saturday.

Western 10 11 18 6 = 45

Sym. Valley 10 6 11 14 = 41

WESTERN: Dylan Stevens 1 0 3-6 5, Adam Smithson 2 0 0-0 4, Dylan Lee 1 1 0-0 5, Zack Herman 0 3 0-0 9, Gaige Robinette 2 1 0-1 7, Blake Wolfe 0 0 0-0 0, Brandon Brewster 0 0 2-4 2, Austin Hersman 0 0 0-0 0, Bryce Brewster 5 0 3-4 13. Totals: 11 5 8-15 45. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (2-7, 1-4): Josh Dial 0 0 0-0 0, Collin Webb 5 0 0-0 10, Shawn Belville 4 1 3-4 14, Blake Sells 0 0 0-0 0, Payton Hayes 1 1 2-3 7, Devin Eplin 0 0 0-0 0, Jase Patterson 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Klaiber 1 0 0-0 2, Matt Rutt 2 0 1-3 5, Jared Shepherd 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 14 2 7-12 41. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.