Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — All the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings needed was a little traction.

The Lady Vikings put the chains on their wheels and rode away with a 68-65 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Western Lady Indians on Monday.

Trailing at the half, the Lady Vikings put together a strong fourth quarter to remain unbeaten in the SOC.

“The first half it was like we were stuck in mud. The first half we had 20 turnovers and we were only down five points. It was an ugly game,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Alvin Carpenter. “It was a total reversal the second half.”

Symmes Valley (4-1, 4-0) fell behind 12-6 after the first quarter but Jensyn Shepherd scored 7 points in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 26-23.

After falling behind by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, Breanna Brumfield had 8 points for the Lady Vikings as both teams scored 20 points and it was 46-43.

Symmes Valley rallied in the fourth quarter as Kaitlyn Payne scored 6 points including 4-of-4 at the foul line. The Lady Vikings were 6-of-8 from the line over the final two minutes.

“We got down quite a bit and came back. We played our best ball in the fourth quarter. If you play well when the game is on the line, it’s a sign you’re growing up,” said Carpenter.

Shepherd had 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Lady Vikings. Brumfield had 11 points, 6 assists and 6 steals.

Kaitlyn Payne grabbed 11 rebounds to go with 4 assists and 5 steals. Meranda Hayes and Payton Walsh scored 11 points each.

Erin Brewster scored 17 points, C.C. Shanks 15 points, Kylie Tong 14 and Kaylee Shepherd 10 to lead Western (4-2, 3-2).

On Thursday, the Lady Vikings host Portsmouth Notre Dame for first place in the league.

Sym. Valley 6 17 20 25 = 68

Western 12 14 20 17 = 65

SYMMES VALLEY (4-1, 4-0): Kaitlyn Crabtree 1 0 2-2 4, Sierra Ross 1 0 0-0 2, Breanna Brumfield 2 2 1-2 11, Jensyn Shepherd 0 1-1 15, Meranda Hayes 5 0 1-3 11, Kaitlyn Payne 2 0 4-4 8, Maddie Scott 1 0 2-2 4, Kassie Baldwin 1 0 0-0 2, Payton Walsh 3 0 5-8 11. Totals: 25-62 16-22 68. 3-point goals: 2-8. Rebounds: 38 (Shepherd 15, Payne 11). Assists: 17 (Brumfield 6, Payne 4). Steals: 16 (Brumfield 6, Payne 5). Blocked shots: 3 (Payne 2, Baldwin 1). Turnovers: 31. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

LATHAM WESTERN (4-2, 3-2): Erin Brewster 4 2 3-8 17, C.C. Shanks 4 1 4-6 15, Mallorie Williams 4 0 1-2 9, Kaylee Shepherd 4 0 2-3 10, Kylie Tong 6 0 2-2 14. Totals: 22 3 12-21 65. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Shanks.