Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Vikings had a little trouble shaking off the rust, but Jarod Sheppard got oiled up in the second half.
Sheppard scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as the Vikings rallied in the fourth quarter to edge the Rock Hill Redmen 44-42 on Tuesday.
The Vikings (4-2) were 18-of-50 from the field for only 36 percent and connected on a meager 3-of-16 form behind the arc. They were only 5-of-12 from the foul line.
“We haven’t played in 11 days and that might have had an affect us. We have to shoot the ball better. We had shots but they didn’t fall,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.
“But the defense carried us and Sheppard had a big second half.”
Chayden Renfroe had 6 rebounds and Hunter Adams 5 for the Vikings. Laykin Gothard got 3 steals and 3 assists.
Mason Darby scored a game-high 29 points — 14 in the second half — to lead the Redmen (1-5).
“Darby is a nice player. He plays well around the rim. We adjusted our defense to stop him. Adams and (Levi) Cade boxed him up in the fourth quarter,” said Saunders.
Renfroe scored 5 of his 7 points in the first quarter to match 5 points by Darby as Symmes Valley took a 15-8 lead.
Darby scored 9 points in the second quarter as the Redmen cut the deficit to 23-20 at the half.
Darby scored 11 points in the third quarter as Rock Hill went up 33-31. Sheppard had all 8 of the Vikings’ points.
Sheppard got 8 more points in the fourth quarter while the Vikings held Darby to 3 points as they outscored Rock Hill 13-9 to get the win.
Tyler Damron scored all 6 of his points in the fourth quarter for the Redmen.
Rock Hill hosts Chesapeake next Tuesday while Symmes Valley entertains St. Joseph next Wednesday.
Rock Hill    8    12    13    9    =    42
Sym. Valley    15    8    8    13    =    44
ROCK HILL (1-5): Tyler Damron 2 0 2-4 6, Tim Adkins 1 0 0-0 2, Isaac Floyd 0 0 0-0 0, Logan Hankins 0 0 1-2 1, Nate Malone 0 0 0-0 0, Mason Darby 10 1 5-9 28, Braden Stamper 0 0 0-0 0, Jaret Bacorn 2 0 1-2 5, Kadin France 0 0 0-2 0. Totals: 15 1 9-17 42. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.
SYMMES VALLEY (4-2): Levi Cade 1 0 0-0 2, Chayden Renfroe 1 1 2-2 7, Payton Hayes 0 0 0-0 0, Laykin Gothard 2 0 2-5 6, Austin Mannon 0 0 0-0 0, Hunter Adams 3 0 1-3 7, Jarod Sheppard 6 2 0-2 18, Brock Carpenter 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 18-50 5-12 44. 3-point goals: 3-16. Rebounds: 25 (Renfroe 6, Adams 5). Assists. 9 (Gothard 3). Steals 8 (Gothard 3). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.