WILLOW WOOD – Symmes Valley Vikings head coach Brent Wilcoxon knew his team would have a little trouble scoring Friday night, but this was more than anyone could have ever imagined.

Sunday, February 13, 2000

WILLOW WOOD – Symmes Valley Vikings head coach Brent Wilcoxon knew his team would have a little trouble scoring Friday night, but this was more than anyone could have ever imagined.

Leading scorer Justin Myers didn’t play due to a bad back and Brad Carpenter and J. T. Pierce were both sick. None of the three played, which would hurt the VIkings offense.

But 21.1 percent worth of hurt?

Yes, Symmes Valley was just 15 of 71 from the field for a meager 21.1 percent as the VIkings fell 59-46 to the Portsmouth Clay Panthers in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

"We knew we might struggle without them, but I never dreamed we’d shoot 21 percent," said Wilcoxon. "And a lot of those were good shots from in close. We beat ourselves because we couldn’t score."

Symmes Valley jumped out to a 13-10 lead the first quarter as K. D. Payne hit a pair of 3-pointers.

Anthony Owens scored seven points the second quarter as the Vikings held a 30-28 halftime lead. Rob Huff had eight points as Clay stayed close.

The Vikings shooting woes intensified the second half but the Panthers led just 44-40 after three quarters.

Symmes Valley scored just six points the fourth quarter as Clay began to increase its lead.

"We felt pretty good at the half. The second half we just couldn’t score," said Wilcoxon. "But I can’t fault our effort. Our kids play hard from start to finish."

Owens led the Vikings with 15 points and nine rebounds. Jeremy Copley also had nine rebounds.

Benji Richards scored 19 to lead Clay. Huff finished with 13.

Symmes Valley, 7-11 overall and 4-7, travels to South Gallia on Tuesday and visits Green on Friday.

PORTSMOUTH CLAY – 10 18 16 15 – 59: Benji Richards 8 0 3-4 19, Rob Huff 3 1 4-6 13, Andrew Large 4 0 1-3 9, Matt Large 1 1 0-0 5, Jake Davis 1 1 2-2 7, Travis Kilmare 2 0 1-2 5, Aaron Payne 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 19 3 12-19 59. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY – 13 17 10 6 – 46: Anthony Owens 3 1 6-8 15, Travis Wilson 4 0 0-2 8, K. D. Payne 0 2 0-0 6, Adam Corn 1 0 3-4 5, Josh Blanton 2 0 1-2 5, Chris Lafon 1 0 0-0 2, Noah Henson 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 15-71 (3) 10-17 46. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: Copley, Blanton. Rebounds: 41 (Owens 9, Copley 9). Assists: 8 (Payne 2, Blanton 2). Steals: 10 (Corn 3). Turnovers: 12.