Redwomen slip past Lady Vikings in OT, 55-52
Published 7:30 pm Thursday, December 21, 2023
![](https://www.irontontribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Lyons-Saunders-web-200x300.jpg)
Rock Hill Redwomen’s Kassidy Lyons (1) applies defensive pressure to Symmes Valley Lady Vikings guard Lydia Saunders during Wednesday’s game. Rock Hill won 55-52 in overtime. (Tim Gearhart Sports Photos/For The Ironton Tribune)
By JIM WALKER
jim.walker@irontontribune.com
PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redwomen got a big win as their big players came up big.
J’lynn Risner and Hope Easterling combined for 37 points as the Redwomen beat the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings 55-52 in overtime on Wednesday.
“It was a huge win. I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. These girls are more concerned about the other person’s success than their own. I’m fine with them winning or losing. They’re growing and they’re learning every game,” said Rock Hill coach Eric Bailey.
“Symmes Valley has a good team. They play hard. They always play hard. Symmes Valley is probably the best rebounding team we’ve played except for Fairland and Portsmouth.”
A huge win usually means a huge performance and the Redwomen got it as Risner had 21 points and 19 rebounds, Easterling scored 17 points and Emma Scott netted 12 points.
Symmes Valley (7-2) was led by Desiree Simpson with 13 points, Lydia Saunders had 12 points each while Kaitlyn Maynard scored 10 points.
Jordi Ellison scored 4 points as 5 different players scored and the Lady Vikings took a 12-7 first quarter lead.
Scott hit a 3-pointer for Rock Hill.
The Redwomen (3-4) rallied to take a 20-19 halftime lead as Easterling scored 6 points and Scott hit another 3-pointer as she scored 4 points.
Saunders had 4 of the Lady Vikings’ 7 points.
The Redwomen went ahead 33-30 at the end of the third quarter as Scott hit another trifecta and scored 5 points while Risner went 4-of-5 at the foul line.
Kaitlin Maynard scored 4 points and twin sister Kaylee Maynard hit a 3-pointer for the Lady Vikings.
But the Lady Vikings tied the game in the fourth quarter as Simpson scored 7 of her points and Ellison was 3-of-4 at the foul line.
The Lady Vikings converted only 4-of-7 free throws in the quarter and just 8-of-16 for the game.
Risner scored 5 points including 3-of-4 at the foul line. Easterling added 4 points.
In overtime, Risner scored all but 2 of Rock Hill’s 9 points while Saunders had 4 of Symmes Valley’s 6 points.
“My team isn’t playing perfectly, but what I like about them is they like to be coached, They don’t pout, they don’t hang their heads. We’re finding ways to do things. All our girls contributed. Sammy (Bamer) didn’t score a lot but she played well,” said Bailey.
Symmes Valley visits Minford on Thursday while Rock Hill visits Fairview, Ky., on Saturday.
Sym. Valley 12 7 11 15 6 = 52
Rock Hill 7 13 13 13 9 = 55
SYMMES VALLEY (7-2): Lydia Saunders 5 0 2-8 12, Kaylee Maynard 0 1 0-0 3, Hailee Beckett 1 0 0-0 2, Jordi Ellison 2 0 4-6 8, Brenna Tibbs 2 0-0 4, Desiree Simpson 6 0 1-2 13, Kaitlin Maynard 5 0 0-2 10. Totals: 21 1 7-16 52. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Simpson.
ROCK HILL (3-4): Kassidy Lyons 0 0 0-0 0, Emma Scott 1 3 1-2 11, Samantha Bamer 0 0 1-2 1, Blayr Knipp 1 0 0-0 2, Hope Easterling 6 0 5-7 17, Gracie McFann 0 0 0-0 0 Abby Schug 1 0 0-0 2, J’lynn Risner 6 0 9-17 21. Totals; 15 3 16-28 55. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Easterling.