Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Donnie Saunders hopes all his games go as well as his first with Symmes Valley.

Saunders celebrated his first game as the Vikings’ head coach with a 67-43 win over the Rock Hill Redmen on Tuesday.

“We didn’t play too bad. We’ve got some more work to do, but I can’t complain for opening night. That’s a good win for the kids,” said Saunders.

“We did a better job taking care of the ball. I was pleased with our effort. We need to get better defensively and we will.”

Tyler Rowe had 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Vikings. Alec Herrell had 12 points and 3 steals, Tanner Conley scored 11 points and Austin Baldwin added 9 points and 8 rebounds.

Joey Stidham scored 10 points and Austin Collins 8 to lead the Redmen (0-2).

Rowe converted 6 of 8 free throw attempts in the first quarter as the Vikings took a 16-10 lead.

With point guard D.J. Miller on the bench in the second quarter with foul trouble, Herrell stepped up and scored 7 points as Symmes Valley built a 32-17 halftime lead.

The Vikings pulled away to a 48-28 lead after three quarters.

Symmes Valley was 25 of 55 from the field for 45 percent including 20 of 40 from 2-point range.

Rock Hill 10 7 11 13 = 43

Sym. Valley 16 16 16 19 = 67

ROCK HILL (0-2): Aaron Dalton 0 0 0-0 0, Alex Nance 2 0 1-2 5, Evan Morris 2 0 0-0 4, Joey Stidham 1 2 2-2 10, Austin Collins 2 1 1-4 8, John Jenkins 0 1 1-1 4, Jacob Falls 2 0 0-0 4, Chandler Haskins 0 0 0-0 0, Shane Harper 1 0 1-2 3, Layden Delawder 3 0 0-1 6. Totals: 13 4 5-12 43. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (1-0): Alex Herrell 4 1 1-1 12, John Kouns 0 0 0-0 0, Zane Wheeler 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Pelletier 0 0 0-0 0, D.J. Miller 1 2 0-0 8, Tanner Conley 5 0 1-2 11, Austin Baldwin 3 1 0-0 9, Mitch Corn 1 0 0-0 2, Clayton Toney 1 1 0-2 5, Dylan Malone 1 0 3-5 5, Tyler Rowe 4 0 7-9 15. Totals: 25-55 12-19 67. 3-point goals: 5-15. Rebounds: 39 (Rowe 11, Baldwin 8, Malone 5). Steals: 11 (Herrell 3). Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

RESERVES: Symmes Valley 52-22. SV leader: Dylan Malone 15. RH leader: Aaron Dalton 7.