Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — Oh those missed free throws.
The Symmes Valley Vikings were on the verge of huge upset on Tuesday but missed free throws proved to be the difference in a 55-54 double overtime loss to the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans.
The Vikings converted on 4-of-11 free throws while the Titans were 14-of-19 at the line.
“We played pretty well. We just came up a little short. We’ve got to make our foul shots. Notre Dame has a nice team,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.
“It was a good game. Everyone played hard. We probably could have taken care of the ball a little better.”
Jarod Sheppard scored 16 points and had eight rebounds to lead the Vikings (4-4, 1-2). Brock Carpenter had 10 points and nine rebounds while Payton Hayes got 11 points.
Trevon Turner scored 18 points, Isiah Johnson 17 and Sam Kayser 11 for the Titans.
Johnson got eight points in the first quarter as the Titans went up 10-9. Sheppard and Chayden Renfroe combined for seven of the Vikings’ points.
Sheppard scored eight points in the second quarter as the Vikings rallied to take a 24-18 halftime lead.
Turner and Kayser combined for 14 points in the third quarter as Notre Dame got within 38-35.
The Titans tied the game in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Carpenter and Turner matched each other with four points and it was 50-all.
Hayes hit a 3-pointer in the second overtime to give the Vikings a one-point lead but Johnson got four points as the Titans rallied for the win.
The Vikings go to East on Friday and New Boston on Saturday.
Notre Dame    10    8    17    9    6    5    =    55
Sym. Valley    9    15    14    6    6    4    =    54
PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (NA): Isiah Johnson 6 0 5-6 17, Sam Kayser 4 1 0-0 11, Trevon Turner 6 0 6-8 18, Grant Sparks 3 0 2-3 8, Aaron Bazler 0 0 1-2 1, Ben Mader 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 1 14-19 55. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.
SYMMES VALLEY (4-4, 1-2): Levi Cade 1 0 0-0 2, Chayden Renfroe 2 1 1-2 8, Payton Hayes 4 1 0-0 11, Laykin Gothard 3 0 0-2 6, Hunter Adams 0 0 1-2 1, Jarod Sheppard 8 0 0-1 16, Brock Carpenter 4 0 2-4 10. Totals: 24-61 4-11 54. 3-point goals: 2-12. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 28 (Carpenter 9, Sheppard 8). Blocked shots: Carpenter 2. Turnovers: 22.