Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — From beginning to the end is like day and night for the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings.

After blowing an 8-point lead early in the season and losing to Western, the Lady Vikings built another 8-point lead but held on for a 56-50 upset of the Lady Indians on Thursday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“The difference between the beginning of the season until now is we’ve grown up. We’ve learned to play with a lead,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker.

“We’re clicking better right now and we’ve got some confidence. The girls believe they can play with anyone. I’m an proud of their effort.”

A key factor in the win for Symmes Valley (7-11, 4-6) was 22 assists including six each by Kaitlyn Payne and Meranda Hayes and five by Breanna Brumfield.

“We passed and shared the ball well. The girls really played unselfish,” said Walker.

Jensyn Shepherd turned in a strong game against Western’s big center Chrissy Woods. Shepherd had 18 points and six rebounds.

Haynes and Payne scored 12 points each while Payton Walsh grabbed 10 rebounds. Payne had eight boards and Hayes five.

Erin Brewster scored 14 and Mallorie Williams and Woods 10 each for Western who fell to 14-3.

Williams and Hayes matched each other with 6 points each as the Indians led 13-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Brewster scored 7 points and Kylie Tong as the lead went to 31-24 at the half. Shepherd scored 8 for the Lady Vikings.

Payne had 6 points as Symmes Valley rallied to take a 40-37 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Shepherd and Payne combined for 9 points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Vikings maintained their lead.

Symmes Valley hosts South Gallia on Monday.

Sym. Valley 12 12 16 16 = 56

Western 13 18 6 13 = 50

SYMMES VALLEY (7-11, 4-6): Sierra Ross 0 0 0-0 0, Breanna Brumfield 0 1 4-6 7, Elly Fulks 0 0 0-0 0, Meranda Hayes 6 0 0-0 12, Kaitlyn Payne 5 0 2-10 12, Maddie Scott 0 0 0-0 0, Payton Walsh 3 0 1-2 7, Jensyn Shepherd 8 0 2-2 18. Totals: 23-60 9-20 56. 3-point goals: 1-4. Rebounds: 10-O, 29-D = 39 (Walsh 10, Payne 8, Shepherd 6, Hayes 5). Assists: 22 (Payne 6, Hayes 6, Brumfield 5). Steals: 20 (Brumfield 8, Haynes 4, Walsh 4). Turnovers: 22. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.

LATHAM WESTERN (14-3): Haley Knauff 0 0 0-0 0, Erin Brewster 4 1 3-4 14, C.C. Shanks 3 0 2-4 8, Mallorie Williams 4 0 2-7 10, Kaylee Shepherd 0 0 0-0 0, Chrissy Woods 2 1 3-5 10, Kylie Tong 4 0 0-1 8. Totals: 17 2 10-21 50. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.