Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — After falling behind in the first quarter, rumor has it the Symmes Valley coach Donnie Saunders took a page from the Black Eyed Peas and sang “Let’s Get It Started In Here” to his Vikings.

Okay, maybe Saunders sang a different song but it worked as the Vikings rallied to take the lead and went on to beat the Green Bobcats 64-42 Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We got off to a slow start, but we played pretty good after that. Green was hot as a firecracker to start the game and we missed a couple of layups,” said Saunders. “But we settled down and did a better job defensively.”

Caleb Johnson and Trent Marcum each hit a pair of 3-pointers as Green took a 19-12 first quarter lead. Kurt Adams had a pair of triples for the Vikings.

But the Vikings outscored Green 14-4 in the second quarter to take a 26-23 lead at the half.

“We didn’t panic and came back a little bit at a time,” said Saunders. “We’re starting to get some balance. We just need to cut down on our turnovers.”

Jonathon Kouns scored 6 points in the third quarter and the Vikings stretched the lead to 45-35.

Ryan Gibson scored 6 points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings continued to pull away.

Kouns and Tyler Rowe scored 15 points each and Adams had 13 to lead the Vikings (2-1, 1-0).

Marcum scored 17 for the Bobcats (0-4, 0-2).

“We’re improving, so I’m pleased with that. But I’m not pleased we lost,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

“We did do a better job of valuing each possession.”

In the reserve game, Collin Webb and Jase Patterson scored 8 points each as the Vikings won 55-17.

Green 19 4 12 7 = 42

Sym. Valley 12 14 19 18 = 64

GREEN (0-4, 0-2): Brody Stormes 2 0 2-2 6, Trent Marcum 1 5 0-0 17, Ryan Gaffney 3 00-0 6, Chris Applegate 1 0 2-3 4, Hunter Lewis 1 0 1-1 3, Caleb Johnson 0 2 0-0 6. Totals: 8 7 5-6 42. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (2-1, 1-0): Dylan Malone 3 0 2-2 8, Seth Jarrell 1 0 0-0 2, Kurt Adams 2 3 0-1 13, Jonathon Kouns 7 0 1-1 15, Jacob Klaiber 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Rowe 7 0 1-3 15, Ryan Gibson 3 1 0-0 9. Totals: 24 4 4-7 64. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.