Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — It was more like a track meet than a basketball game.

In a fast-paced game, the Symmes Valley Vikings outlasted the Western Indians 72-68 Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“The defense wasn’t bad, both teams just hit some 3s and shot the ball well,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“It was an up and down game. I think we just had more stamina at the end.”

Kurt Adams led the Vikings with 17 points including five 3-pointers. Jacob Klaiber and Tyler Rowe scored 16 points each and Dylan Malone had 13.

Dakota Garrett had a game-high 28 points for Western as he knocked down eight 3-point goals. Nick Shanks had 18 points.

Adams scored 14 points in the first quarter including four treys as the Vikings took a 22-18 lead. Garrett hit three triples for the Indians.

Garrett had two more 3s and scored 8 points in the second quarter as Western came back to tie the game at the half 43-43. Rowe scored 6 points for the Vikings.

“Garrett was on fire and he did it with a hand in his face,” said Saunders.

The Indians went up 58-55 at the end of the third quarter despite 6 points by Klaiber.

But Klaiber got 6 more points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings rallied to outscored the Indians 17-10.

Symmes Valley is now 6-2overall and 4-1 in the SOC. The Vikings host Portsmouth Notre Dame Tuesday in a key SOC game.

Sym. Valley 22 21 12 17 = 72

Western 18 25 15 10 = 68

SYMMES VALLEY (6-2, 4-1): Dylan Malone 6 0 1-2 13, Seth Jarrell 0 0 0-0 0, Kurt Adams 1 5 0-0 17, Jonathon Kouns 3 0 0-0 6, Jacob Klaiber 8 0 0-2 16, Tyler Rowe 8 0 0-2 16, Ryan Gibson 2 00-0 4, Ben Ferguson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 28 5 1-5 72. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

WESTERN (NA, 3-3): Chase Fite 3 0 1-2 7, Nick Shanks 8 0 2-2 18, Dakota Garrett 2 8 0-0 28, Ethan Riggs 2 0 0-0 4, Dylan Lee 0 1 0-0 3, Blake Wolfe 0 1 1-2 4, Bryce Brewster 1 0 2-2 4. Totals: 16 10 6-8 68. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.