Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings saved their best for last.
The Lady Vikings put together their best all-around game in the regular season finale on Saturday as they beat the Eastern Lady Eagles in a Southern Ohio Conference game.
Rachael Hayes scored 26 points including three 3-pointers while Taylor Sells had 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead the Lady Vikings (13-9, 7-7).
Jenna Malone added 12 points, four steals and three assists, Emily Johnson 13 rebounds and Kylie Deer five assists.
“Hayes had a really good game offensively. Sells played her best game of the year on both ends,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Alvin Carpenter. “Hunter, Malone and Deer played really well defensively in the second half.”
Abby Cochenour hit five 3-pointers and scored 25 points for Eastern. Mackenzie Greene and Morgan Saulsbury added 11 points each.
Five different players scored as the Lady Vikings led 14-12 after the first quarter. Saulsbury had nine points for Eastern.
Hayes hit a 3-pointer and scored eight points and Sells also had a trey and scored six points as the Lady Vikings extended their lead to 31-23 at the half. Cochenour had two 3-pointers and 10 points in the quarter.
The Lady Vikings led 49-40 after three quarters as Hayes got nine points and Sells six. Greene and Cochenour both had two 3-pointers for the Eagles.
In the fourth quarter, Malone scored seven of her points while Hayes hit a 3-pointer and scored six points. Greene and Cochenour combined for nine points.
Symmes Valley faces Federal Hocking at 8 p.m. Thursday in the sectional tournament at Meigs.
Eastern 12 11 17 12 = 52
Sym. Valley 14 11 18 17 = 66
BEAVER EASTERN (NA): Skylar White 0 0 1-4 1, Addison Cochenour 0 1 0-0 3, Mackenzie Greene 1 3 0-0 11, Morgan Saulsbury 2 2 1-1 11, Abby Cochenour 4 5 2-3 25, Shaelyn Tomlison 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 7 11 5-10 52. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.
SYMMES VALLEY (13-9, 7-7): Jenna Malone 3 1 3-6 12, Payton Hunter 0 0 0-1 0, Meredith Humphreys 0 0 0-0 0, Kylie Deer 0 0 1-2 1, Taylor Sells 5 2 2-4 18, Rachael Hayes 7 3 3-5 26, Ellie Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Kaylee Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsi Gothard 0 0 0-0 0, Hailee Littlejohn 1 0 1-2 3, Emily Johnson 2 0 0-0 4, Spring Ross 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 25-63 10-20 66. 3-pt goals: 6-16. Rebounds: 20-O, 21-D = 41 (Em. Johnson 13, Sells 11). Assists: 12 (Deer 5, Malone 3). Steals: 10 Hunter 4, Malone 4). Blocks: 3 (Sells 3). Turnovers: 14. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.