By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PORTSMOUTH — The torch has been passed.

The Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans clinched a share of the Southern Ohio Conference title with a 74-49 win over the defending champion Symmes Valley Vikings on Friday.

Notre Dame is now 18-2 and finishes 13-1 in the SOC, tied with Beaver Eastern for first place. The Titans were 9-13 last season.

The Vikings — who lost six seniors off last year’s title team and have just one senior this year — are now 7-12 and 6-7 in the league.

Kevin Lewis scored 18 points including four 3-pointers to lead four Titans in double figures. Brad Pierron scored 16, J.P. Kayser 14 and Tyler Noel 10.

Symmes Valley’s Austin Baldwin had a game-high 19 points.

The Vikings opened up a 17-9 lead to start the game, but the Titans ran off 12 unanswered points to lead 21-17 at the end of the first quarter.

Notre Dame outscored the Vikings 18-10 in the second quarter to open up a 39-27 halftime lead.

The Titans outscored the Vikings 16-11 in the third quarter to make it 55-38.

The Vikings hosted Western Pike on Saturday.

Symmes Valley 17 10 11 11 = 49

Notre Dame 21 18 16 19 = 74

SYMMES VALLEY (7-12, 6-7): Alec Herrell 2 1 1 8, Johnathan Kouns 0 1 0-0 3, D.J. Miller 1 1 2 7, Wilson 2 0 0 4, Austin Baldwin 2 3 6 19, Mitch Corn 2 0 0 4, Tyler Rowe 2 0 0 4. Totals: 11 6 9 49.

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (18-2, 13-1): Kevin Lewis 1 4 4 18, Joey Storey 2 0 0 4, Tyler Noel 2 0 6 10, J.P. Kayser 4 2 0 14, Michael Mader 3 0 3 9, Brad Pierron 7 0 2 16, Daniel Ogg 0 0 2 2. Totals: 19 6 17 74.