Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ATHENS — The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings couldn’t speed up the slowdown.

The Waterford Lady Wildcats built a big lead early, then turned to their stall game to prevent any comeback as they beat the Lady Vikings 51-24 Saturday in the Division IV sectional finals.

Waterford led 21-12 at the end of the first quarter and 41-18 at the half. Each team scored 2 points in the third quarter and the Wildcats outscored the Lady Vikings 8-4 in the fourth quarter.

“Our girls played hard. We were in a man defense, we were going for steals and pressuring the ball. I can’t fault our effort,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker.

Kalli Hunt scored 8 points and Megan Johnson had 6 points to lead the Lady Vikings (10-14).

Brooke Drayer scored 12 points while Chelsey Paxton and Dani Drayer scored 10 each for Waterford (17-6).

Walker thanked his seniors Kayla Hayes, Malenna Davis, Gracie Waddell and Taylor Michael.

“It’s going to be really strange not having them around. They’ve been with me since day one,” said Walker.

“The seniors helped lay the foundation for our program. We won 10 games this year and we won a tournament game. They helped get us moving in the right direction.”

Sym. Valley 12 6 2 4 = 24

Waterford 21 20 2 8 = 51

SYMMES VALLEY (10-14): Malenna Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Merranda Hayes 1 0 1-2 3, Breanna Brumfield 0 0 0-0 0, Gracie Waddell 0 0 2-4 2, Elly Fulks 0 0 0-0 0, Kayla Hayes 1 0 1-2 3, Kalli Hunt 2 0 4-8 8, Megan Johnson 3 0 0-0 6, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Payne 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Michael 0 0 0-0 0, Sarah Crabtree 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 8 0 8-16 24. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

WATERFORD (17-6): Sam Farley 1 0 0-0 2, Lakin Tolson 0 0 2-2 2, Hannah Dailey 2 0 1-2 5, Chelsey Paxton 5 0 0-1 10, Brooke Drayer 3 1 3-3 12, Taylor Hilverding 1 0 0-0 2, Dani Drayer 2 2 0-0 10, Randee Seevers 1 0 2-2 4, Regan Porter 1 0 0-1 2, Cassie Reed 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 16 3 10-13 51. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.