Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — When the turnovers went down, the Green Bobcats’ chances went up.

Green committed only six of their 20 turnovers in the second half and the Bobcats rallied to beat the Symmes Valley Vikings 46-45 Monday in a Southern Ohio Conference I game.

“We cut down on turnovers in the second half. They didn’t really cause the turnovers. We didn’t take care of the ball. We were our own worst enemy,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

“Once we cut down on the turnovers, we started to get the shots and cut down on their opportunities. It was a good win. That was probably our best win.”

The Vikings had a good effort on offense in the first half, but their scoring began to dry up in the second half much to the frustration of head coach Donnie Saunders.

“We played OK defense, we just shut down offensively in the second half,” said Vikings’ coach Saunders. “We led most of the game and we played like we were behind.”

Tyler Crace scored 17 points to lead Green (6-12, 5-6). Trent Marcum had 12 points in the win.

Clayton Tony scored 11 points including three 3-pointers to pace the Vikings (9-7, 7-4). Tyler Rowe added 9 points and Dylan Malone 8.

D.J. Miller and Tony scored 4 points each in the first quarter as Symmes Valley took a 14-11 lead.

The Vikings pulled away to a 29-17 halftime lead as Austin Baldwin and Tony scored 4 points each in the second quarter.

Green started its comeback in the third quarter by narrowing the gap to 39-32.

Crace scored 7 points and Rob Applegate had 4 points and the defense limited the Vikings to just 6 points as the Bobcats rallied to outscore Symmes Valley 14-6 and take the win.

“Green responded and we didn’t in the fourth quarter,” said Saunders. “They came back and took it away from us. We had some opportunities, but the shots wouldn’t fall. Give credit to Green.”

The Vikings held a 33-25 rebound advantage, but both teams were guilty of 20 turnovers.

Sym. Valley 14 15 10 6 = 45

Green 11 6 15 14 = 46

SYMMES VALLEY (9-7, 7-4): Alec Herrell 1 1 0-0 5, Dylan Pelletier 0 0 0-0 0, D.J. Miller 2 0 0-0 4, Austin Baldwin 3 0 1-2 7, Clayton Tony 1 3 3-4 11, Dylan Malone 4 0 0-0 8, Tyler Rowe 3 0 3-4 9. Totals: 14 4 7-10 45. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

GREEN (6-12, 5-6): Steven Blanton 2 0 1-1 5, Brody Stomes 1 0 0-1 2, Rob Applegate 1 1 2-2 7, Clay Applegate 1 0 1-1 3, Tyler Crace 4 3 0-0 17, Trent Marcum 2 3 0-1 12, Mark Allen 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 7 4-6 46. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.