Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — It took a little time, but it was worth it for the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings.
Leading by nine points at the half, the Lady Vikings erupted for 35 points in the second half and placed four players in double figures as they beat the Western Lady Indians 65-48 in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Monday.
Rachael Hayes had 19 points to go with four assists and four steals to lead the Lady Vikings (10-7, 6-6). Kaitlyn Crabtree had a big game with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Jensyn Shepherd battled through foul trouble and had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Kylie Deer added 10 points, six assists and three steals.
Sylvia Evans got 21 points and Haley Whitt scored 17 points for Western.
Hayes scored six points and Crabtree four as the Lady Vikings took a 12-8 first quarter lead.
The lead went to 30-21 at the half as Deer and Hayes scored six points each. Evans had seven points for the Lady Indians.
Symmes Valley outscored Western 22-10 in the third quarter to open up 52-31.
Crabtree scored seven points with Deer, Shepherd and Hayes scoring four points each.
In the fourth quarter, Shepherd scored six points including 2-of-2 at the line to prevent any Western comeback hopes.
Symmes Valley hosts South Gallia on Wednesday and visits Green on Thursday.
Western    8    13    10    17    =    48
Sym. Valley    12    18    22    13    =    65
WESTERN (NA): Taylor Horner 0 0 0-0 0, Sylvia Evans 7 1 4-12 21, Haley Whitt 3 0 11-14 17, Brooklyn Tackett 2 0 0-0 4, Carson Walls 0 0 0-0 0, Sierra Bowles 0 0 0-0 0, Mea Henderson 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Miller 1 0 0-0 2, Maid Tong 0 0 0-0 0, Kylie Tong 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 15 1 15-26 48. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.
SYMMES VALLEY (10-7, 6-6): Kaitlyn Crabtree 7 0 2-4 16, Payton Hunter 1 0 0-0 2, Kylie Deer 5 0 0-0 10, Jensyn Shepherd 4 0 4-4 12, Taylor Sells 1 0 0-0 2, Rachael Hayes 9 0 1-2 19, Kaylee Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Hailee Littlejohn 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 29-68 7-11 65. 3-pt goals: 0-10. Rebounds: 15-O, 25-D = 40 (Shepherd 13, Crabtree 10). Assists: 20 (Deer 6, Crabtree 5, Hayes 4). Steals: 13 (Crabtree 4, Hayes 4, Deer 3). Blocks: 3 (Sells 2, Crabtree 1). Turnovers: 19. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Shepherd.