Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — The Symmes Valley Vikings were as hot as the Western Indians, but then the fire went out.

Western used a big fourth quarter to pull away from the Vikings for a 69-50 Southern Ohio Conference win on Friday.

“We stayed with them for three quarters and then just ran out of steam,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“We’re not playing bad, we just have to make some plays. Losing Klaiber hurt. Their pressure finally got to us in the fourth quarter with him out.”

Jacob Klaiber scored 17 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter to lead the Vikings (3-13, 2-9). Collin Webb added 11 points.

Nick Shanks scored a game-high 19 points for Western (11-7, 10-2) while Dylan Lee added 10 points.

Klaiber scored 9 points in the first quarter as the Vikings trailed just 15-14. Shanks had 6 points in the quarter for Western.

Each team scored 14 points in the second quarter and the Indians were up just 29-28 at the half.

Shanks scored 7 points in the third quarter as Western improved its lead to 46-40.

Lee got 7 points in the fourth quarter as the Indians outscored the Vikings 20-10 to pull away to the win.

The Vikings hosted St. Joseph on Saturday and visit Rock Hill on Tuesday.

Sym. Valley 14 14 12 10 = 50

Western 15 14 17 23 = 69

SYMMES VALLEY (3-13, 2-9): Levi Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Dial 0 0 0-0 0, Collin Webb 13 0-2 11, Shawn Belville 3 1 0-0 9, Blake Sells 1 1 2-3 7, Payton Hayes 1 0 2-2 4, Devin Eplin 0 0 0-0 0, Jase Patterson 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Klabier 7 0 3-7 17, Matt Rutt 0 0 0-0 0, Jarod Sheppard 0 0 0-10, Chayden Renfroe 0 0 0-0 0, Forrest Humphrey 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 14 5 7-15 50. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Klaiber.

WESTERN (11-7, 10-2): Dylan Stevens 3 0 1-3 7, Lane Knauff 3 0 0-0 6, Adam Smithson 2 0 0-0 4, Dylan Lee 2 1 3-4 10, Zack Herman 0 0 0-0 0, Ethan Riggs 0 0 0-0 0, Gaige Robinette 2 1 2-2 9, Vojtech Cizinsky 1 0 1-2 3, Blake Wolfe 0 1 0-0 3, Nick Shanks 7 1 2-5 19, Austin Hersman 0 0 0-0 0, Bryce Brewster 2 0 0-2 4, Brandon Brewster 0 0 4-6 4. Totals: 20 4 13-24 69. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.