Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — The Symmes Valley Vikings turned into control freaks.
The Vikings took control of the game early and went on to post their first win of the season by beating the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 68-61 in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Friday.
“We came out and played really well in the first quarter and took control of the game. It was the best defense and ball movement we have had all season,” said Vikings’ coach Chad Coffman.
“We got in some foul trouble in the first half and they were able to make a run heading into halftime. In the second half, we withstood their runs and were able to get a big road win.”
Drew Scherer led the Vikings with 21 points while brothers Jack and Luke Leith combined for 35 points. Jack had 20 points and Luke 15.
Jackson Clark had a game-high 33 points and Ben Mader 16 points to pace the Titans (0-5, 0-3).
Jack Leith scored eight points while Alec Carpenter and Trenton Turner each hit 3-pointers as the Vikings jumped out to a 20-6 first quarter lead.
Clark scored 11 points including a 3-pointer in the second quarter as the Titans cut the deficit to 34-23 at the half.
Scherer and Jack Leith combined for 11 points in the quarter.
The Titans used three triples by Mader and six points from Clark to rally in the third quarter and get within 48-43.
In the fourth quarter, Luke Leith scored nine points while Scherer had five points including 3-of-6 at the line and Jack Leith was 3-of-5 from the charity stripe as the Vikings outscored the Titans 20-18.
Clark scored 12 points in the quarter that included a 3-pointer and 5-of-6 at the line. Mader added a trey and a foul shot as the duo accounted for 16 of the Titans’ points.
Symmes Valley visits Sciotoville East on Tuesday.
Sym. Valley 20 14 14 20 = 68
Notre Dame 6 17 20 18 = 61
SYMMES VALLEY (1-5, 1-3): Jacob Sites 0 0 0-0 0, Luke Leith 7 1-4 15, Jack Leith 8 0 4-7 20, Drew Scherer 8 0 5-8 21, Alec Carpenter 0 1 0-0 3, Josh Ferguson 0 0 1-2 1, Trenton Turner 1 1 3-4 8, Toby Smathers 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 2 14-26 68. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.
PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (0-5, 0-3): Cole Harrell 0 0 0-0 0, Ben Mader 0 4 4-6 16, Jackson Clark 10 2 7-11 33, Caleb Nichols 2 1 0-0 7, Ethan Kammer 1 0 2-2 4, Gabe Pettay 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 13 7 14-21 61. 3-pt goals: 7. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.