By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Fans expect a battle in a backyard rivalry game, and they got it on Friday night.

In the season opener for both teams, the Symmes Valley Vikings held off a late charge by the Rock Hill Redmen to post a 46-38 win.

Ethan Smith scored 12 points while Jacob Cade and Will Jones scored 9 each to lead the Vikings. Blake Porter scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Redmen.

Smith scored 7 in first the quarter as the Vikings went up 13-4. Izaak Cox and Porter had the Rock Hill baskets.

Aydan Taylor hit a 3-pointer as 5 different players scored in the second quarter and the Vikings led 23-11 at the half.

Porter scored 5 points and Aaron Workman added a basket for the Redmen.

Cade had 4 points and Taylor hit another trey in the third and the Vikings stretched the lead to 36-22. Porter hit a 3-pointer and scored 7 of Rock Hill’s 11 points.

Porter drained another 3-pointer and scored half of Rock Hill’s 16 points in its fourth quarter comeback bid.

Cade scored 4 points and Will Jones 3 as the Vikings held on for the win.

Sym. Valley    13 10 13 10 = 46

Rock Hill 4 7 11 16 = 38

SYMMES VALLEY (1-0): Ethan Pinkerman 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Cade 4 0 1-2 9, Logan Simpkins 2 0 0-0 4, Ethan Smith 4 0 4-9 12, Tanner Corn 1 0 0-0 2, Will Jones 3 0 3-6 9, Aydan Taylor 1 2 0-2 8, Levi Owens 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 18-46 8-19 46. 3-pt goals: 2-15. Rebounds: O-11, D-22 = 33 (Smith 12, Cade 8). Assists: 5 (Smith 5), Steals: 5 (Jones 2). Turnovers: 25. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Smith.

ROCK HILL (0-1): Gavin Wissman 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Griffith 1 0 0-0 2, Braxton Harper 0 0 0-0 0, Levi Jenkins 0 0 0-1 0, Ethan Blagg 0 0 1-1 1, Izaak Cox 2 0 0-0 4, Rylan Barker 1 0 0-0 2, Kelan Davidson 1 0 1-2 3, Braiden Medley 1 0 0-0 2, Blake Porter 7 2 2-5 22, Aaron Workman 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 14 2 4-9 38. Totals: 17. Fouled out: Griffith, Cox.