Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — It’s the same old story. Everywhere I go, I get slandered. Libeled. I hear words I never heard in the Bible.”
Simon and Garfunkel sang the song “Keep the Customer Satisfied” way back in 1969, but the words seem to resonate with the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings in the current basketball season.
Another bad shooting night was the downfall for the Lady Vikings as they failed to hand onto a lead and lost 46-40 to the Green Lady Bobcats in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Thursday.
“We played really well defensively,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Shannon Pierce. “Payton Hunter and Kylee Thompson did a nice job on Kimbler. We just couldn’t score enough. It’s been the story of our year.”
Payton Hunter hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points with Jenna Malone added 4 points as the Lady Vikings took an 11-4 first quarter lead.
Kasey Kimbler had 6 points and Kimberly Brown made a 3-pointer as Green cut the deficit to 17-15 at the half. Kylee Thompson scored 4 for the Lady Vikings.
Malone and Rachael Hayes scored 4 each as Symmes Valley held onto its lead at 27-25.
Kimbler scored 5 points and Anna Knapp knocked down a triple as each team scored 10 points in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Thompson had a 3-pointer and scored 8 points and Hayes hit a 3-pointer with just under two minutes that got Symmes Valley within 2 points.
But Green went to a stall ball offense to force the Lady Vikings to foul.
In the quarter, Knapp got hot and scored 8 points while Green converted 11-of-13 free throws.
Kimbler was 6-of-6, Kimberly Brown 2-for-4, Charli Blevins 2-for-2 and Sweeney had a 3-point play.
Malone and Thompson scored 12 points each to lead the Lady Vikings (5-14, 4-9).
Green (15-5, 11-2) was led by Kimbler with a game-high 19 points while Knapp scored 12 points.
The Lady Bobcats were 20-of-25 at the foul line and the Lady Vikings were 9-of-12.
Symmes Valley host Rock Hill on Monday.
Sym. Valley 11 6 10 13 = 40
Green 4 11 10 21 = 46
SYMMES VALLEY (5-14, 4-9): Jenna Malone 3 0 6-8 12, Payton Hunter 1 1 0-0 5, Taylor Sells 0 0 0-0 0, Rachael Hayes 2 1 0-0 7, Kaylee Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Lauren Wells 0 0 0-0 0, Kylee Thompson 3 1 3-4 12, Hailee Littlejohn 1 0 0-0 2, Spring Ross 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 11 3 9-12 40. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: None.
GREEN (15-5, 11-2): Anna Knapp 4 1 1-2 12, Kasey Kimbler 4 0 10-11 18, Kimberly Brown 0 1 4-6 7, Kame Sweeney 2 0 1-1 5, Charli Blevins 0 0 2-2 2, Kaylee Christian 0 0 2-2 2, Brelan Baldridge 0 0 0-1 0. Totals: 10 2 20-25 46. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.