Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Now that’s what you call lockdown defense.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings held Portsmouth Clay to single digit scoring in three of the four quarters as they beat the Lady Panthers 43-31 on Saturday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“This was a great win for our girls,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker. “I was really pleased with how we played defensively, especially in the first half.”

The defense came up with 19 steals as Kaitlyn Payne had six and Meranda Hayes five.

Payne led the offense with 15 points, Hayes scored 10 and Payton Walsh added 8 points for the Lady Vikings (8-12, 5-7).

Payne had 11 rebounds, Walsh seven, Breanna Brumfield six and Jensyn Shepherd five. Brumfield also had three assists.

Lexie Gilliland had a game-high 23 points for Clay (8-12, 7-6).

Payne hit a 3-pointers and scored 5 points in the first quarter as the Lady Vikings went up 9-6.

Sierra Ross and Brumfield hit trifecta in the second quarter as Symmes Valley pulled away to a 21-10 lead at the half.

Gilliland scored 14 of her points in the third quarter as both teams scored 16 points. Hayes scored 6 points and Payne also had 6 points as she made three free throws and it was 37-26.

Payne was 4-of-4 at the line in the fourth quarter as the Lady Vikings outscored Clay 6-5. Gilliland had all 5 of Clay’s points in the fourth quarter.

“We let them score and got comfortable in the third quarter, but we re-focused and had the best fourth quarter we’ve had all year. We really grew up and played well with a lead. We ran some clock and played smart basketball,” said Walker.

The Lady Vikings host Sciotoville East at 6 p.m. Wednesday on senior night.

Ports. Clay 6 4 16 5 = 31

Sym. Valley 9 12 16 6 = 43

PORTSMOUTH CLAY (8-12, 7-6): Cami Whitley 0 0 2-3 2, Hunter Adams 1 0 0-0 2, Lexi Gilliland 5 3 4-5 23, Olivia Berry 1 0 0-0 2, Danielle Cline 0 0 0-0 0, Cassie Wolfe 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 8 3 6-8 31. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Whitley.

SYMMES VALLEY (8-12, 5-7): Sierra Ross 0 1 0-0 3, Breanna Brumfield 0 1 0-0 3, Elly Fulks 1 0 0-0 2, Meranda Hayes 5 0 0-1 10, Kaitlyn Payne 1 2 7-10 15, Maddie Scott 1 0 0-0 2, Payton Walsh 3 0 2-2 8, Jensyn Shepherd 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-53 9-13 43. 3-point goals: 4-14. Rebounds: 18-off. 18-def. = 36 (Payne 11, Walsh 7, Brumfield 6, Shepherd 5). Assists: 9 (Brumfield 3, Hayes 2, Payne 2). Steals: 19 (Payne 6, Hayes 5). Turnovers: 14. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.