Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CROWN CITY — That’s the way to start.
The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings opened the season with a pair of wins as they beat Beaver Eastern 63-48 on Monday in a Southern Ohio Conference game and followed with a 56-51 win over the South Gallia Lady Rebels on Tuesday.
“It might have been ugly the last two days, but we’re 2-0 with two wins on the road,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Alvin Carpenter.
“We played well at times but it’s early and we’ve got a long way to go. We have to play more consistent and we have to have a better shot selection at times.”
Jensyn Shepherd poured in 33 points and had 11 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the Lady Vikings over South Gallia.
Kaitlyn Crabtree added 10 points and had 13 rebounds in the win. Rachael Hayes added 10 points and 10 assists.
South Gallia took a 13-10 first quarter lead with Crabtree getting five points.
Shepherd went to work and had 12 points in the second quarter as the Lady Vikings took a 24-22 halftime lead.
Hayes got seven of her points in the third quarter as Symmes Valley extended its lead to 42-28.
Shepherd scored 12 of the Lady Vikings’ 14 points in the fourth quarter.
On Monday, Shepherd had 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots in the win over the Lady Eagles.
Crabtree had 11 points, 12 rebounds and four steals, Hayes 10 points, 10 assists and four steals, and Hailee Littlejohn grabbed 11 rebounds.
Shepherd scored eight points in the first quarter as the Lady Vikings went in front 21-10.
Crabtree had six points in the second quarter as the lead grew to 34-16 at the half.
Hayes scored six points in the third quarter as each team scored 15 points and it was 49-31.
The Lady Vikings host New Boston on Thursday.
Sym. Valley    10    14    18    14    =    56
South Gallia    13    9    6    23    =    51
SYMMES VALLEY (2-0): Kaitlyn Crabtree 3 1 1-4 10, Payton Hunter 0 0 0-7 0, Jensyn Shepherd 14 0 5-6 33, Rachael Hayes 3 0 4-5 10, Kaylee Cade 0 1 0-0 3, Emily Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Hailee Littlejohn 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Sells 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Gorby 0 0 0-0 0, Ellie Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals 22-56 10-22 56. 3-point goals: 2-8. Rebounds: 51 (Crabtree 13, Shepherd 11). Steals: 11 (Hayes 5, Hunter 4). Blocked shots: 9 (Shepherd 6). Turnovers: 21. Assists: 17 (Hayes 10, Hunter 4). Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Shepherd, Littlejohn.
SOUTH GALLIA (NA): Faith Poling 0 0 10-14, Alyssa Cremeans 0 4 1-2 13, Amaya Howell 0 2 3-4 9, Olivia Hornsby 1 0 4-6 6, Aliyah Howell 1 0 1-2 3, Erin Evans 2 1 3-4 10, Christina Griffith 0 0 0-0 0, Kiley Stapleton 0 0 0-0 0, Brooke Campbell 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 4 7 22-30 51. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.
Monday’s Game
Sym. Valley    21    13    15    14    =    63
Eastern     10    6    15    17    =    48
SYMMES VALLEY (1-0, 1-0): Kaitlyn Crabtree 5 0 1-2 11, Jensyn Shepherd 8 0 3-6 19, Taylor Sells 4 0 1-2 9, Rachael Hayes 4 0 2-2 10, Kaylee Cade 2 0 2-2 6, Hailee Littlejohn 4 0 0-0 8, Payton Hunter 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Gorby 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Ellie Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24-74 9-14 63. 3-point goals: 0-14. Rebounds: 53 (Crabtree 12, Littlejohn 11, Shepherd 10). Assists: 16: Hayes 10). Blocked shots: 10 (Shepherd 8). Steals: 13 (Crabtree 4, Hayes 4). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.
BEAVER EASTERN (NA): Jenny Dearth 1 0 1-3 3, Olivia Hatfield 0 1 1-2 4, Morgan Legg 3 1 0-0 9, McKenzie Greenz 1 3 1-2 12, Paige Carter 3 1 1-2 10, Andrea Lester 5 0 0-0 10. Totals: 13 6 4-8 48. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.