Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Now that’s the kind of defense coach Donnie Saunders has been looking for.

Symmes Valley limited the Green Bobcats to 11 first half points — 3 in the first quarter — as the Vikings rolled to a 53-36 Southern Ohio Conference win on Tuesday.

“I was real pleased with my defense. We were able to mix it up and it worked,” said Saunders.

“I liked our start holding them to 11 points the first half, but we can’t have 23 turnovers. They didn’t force 23 turnovers, we just didn’t take care of the ball.”

Austin Baldwin had 12 points and 5 rebounds to lead a balanced Vikings’ offense. Dylan Malone scored 9 points, Tyler Rowe had 8 points and 6 rebounds and Alec Herrell got 7 points and 5 rebounds.

Tyler Crace scored 8 points for Green (1-6, 1-2).

After the Vikings jumped out to a 29-11 halftime cushion, Green outscored Symmes Valley 16-13 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 42-27.

Baldwin scored 6 points and Herrell had 5 points in the quarter to keep the Vikings ahead.

“Our defense wasn’t bad in the third quarter. (Green) scored off our turnovers, not our defense,” said Saunders.

Rowe scored 6 of his points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings outscored Green 11-9 to seal the win.

Green 3 8 16 9 = 36

Sym. Valley 16 13 13 11 = 53

GREEN (1-6, 1-2): Steven Blanton 2 0 2-2 6, Ryan Gaffney 1 0 0-0 2, Rob Applegate 2 0 0-2 4, Clay Applegate 2 0 1-4 5, Trent Marcum 2 0 2-2 6, Mark Allen 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Crace 3 0 2-2 8, Caleb Johnson 0 1 0-0 3. Totals: 13 1 7-12 36. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (3-3, 2-1): Alec Herrell 0 2 1-2 7, D.J. Miller 1 1 1-2 6, Tanner Conley 1 0 0-0 2, Austin Baldwin 4 1 1-2 12, Mitch Corn 1 0 0-0 2, Clayton Toney 2 0 0-2 4, Dylan Malone 4 0 1-1 9, Tyler Rowe 3 0 2-2 8, Seth Jerrell 1 0 0-1 2. Totals: 17 4 7-11 53. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 25 (Rowe 6, Herrell 5, Baldwin 5). Assists: 10 (Miller 3, Toney 3). Steals: 9 (Rowe 3). Turnovers: 23. Blocked shots: 6 (Baldwin 2, Toney 2).