Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — President Franklin Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Symmes Valley coach Donnie Saunders had one other fear Friday: the New Boston Tigers.

Saunders was fearful of a letdown but the Vikings battled through a sluggish performance to beat New Boston 57-46 in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“It was one of those games when I was worried to death. We had a big win at Eastern and we were a little flat,” said Saunders.

“We still did a good job defensively and that’s what won it for us.”

Dylan Malone scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Vikings (4-1, 3-0). Jonathon Kouns scored 16 and Tyler Rowe added 11.

“Malone really did a nice job. But give New Boston credit. They were scrappy and played hard,” said Saunders.

Tyler Shonkwiler had 17 points for New Boston (0-5).

Malone scored 8 points in the first quarter as the Vikings took a 15-11 lead.

Kouns had 9 points in the second quarter to offset 6 by Shankwiler as the lead grew to 31-22 at the break.

Symmes Valley led 43-31 after three quarters and Malone socred 7 points in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.

The Vikings host South Gallia next Friday.

New Boston 11 11 9 15 = 46

Sym. Valley 15 16 12 14 = 57

NEW BOSTON (0-5, 0-3): Billy Nichols 3 1 0-0 9, Nate Payton 3 0 4-8 10, Jacob Slack 2 0 2-3 6, Tyler Shonkwiler 8 0 1-4 17, James Spicer 0 1 0-0 3, Ethan Porter 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 2 8-17 46. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Porter.

SYMMES VALLEY (4-1, 3-0): Dylan Malone 9 1 2-3 23, Seth Jarrell 0 0 0-2 0, Kurk Adams 0 0 0-0 0, Jonathon Kouns 6 0 4-6 16, Jacob Klaiber 0 0 3-4 3, Tyler Rowe 5 0 1-1 11, Ryan Gibson 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 22 1 10-16 57. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.