Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Now that’ the way to begin the season.

In a titanic battle of neighborhood rivals, the Symmes Valley Vikings used a 3-point goal by Collin Webb to edge the Rock Hill Redmen 72-69 in overtime on Friday.

Webb hit his fourth 3-pointer of the game from the corner with six seconds on the clock and the Vikings survived in the season opener for both teams.

“We played well in overtime. We had some kids step up and hit some big shots,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“We had a good effort. We played nine kids and they all made some plays to help. We got off to a good start. Rock Hill didn’t play bad. They played hard and they shot well.”

Webb had a game-high 24 points to lead the Vikings who made eight 3-pointers. Jarod Sheppard scored 16 points and Chayden Renfroe added 11.

Nathan Turvey led Rock Hill with 20 points including six shots from beyond the arc. The Redmen made 11 3-point goals.

Tyler Damron scored 13 points, Brady Knipp scored 12 and Trystan Matney 10 for Rock Hill.

The Vikings led 16-15 after the first quarter, but Rock Hill rallied to take a 37-31 halftime lead as Damron scored 6 points in the quarter and Knipp drained three treys.

Webb had 8 points to keep the Vikings close.

“We fouled too much and got them in the one-and-one. We made some crazy fouls that we shouldn’t have been making,” said Saunders.

“We’re trying to learn to expect to win. We had some possessions early and didn’t take advantage of our possessions in the first half and then we got in foul trouble.”

Symmes Valley outscored Rock Hill 16-9 in the third quarter to take a 47-46 lead.

But Turvey scored 8 points including a pair of triples in the fourth quarter as the Redmen tied the game at 60.

Sheppard scored 6 points in overtime to set up Webb’s game-winning shot.

On Tuesday, Symmes Valley visits South Gallia while Rock Hill goes to Green.

Sym. Valley 16 15 16 13 12 = 72

Rock Hill 15 22 9 14 9 = 69

SYMMES VALLEY (1-0): Chayden Renfroe 4 1 0-0 11, Collin Webb 4 4 4-4 24, Shawn Belville 2 0 0-0 4, Payton Hayes 0 2 0-1 6, Derrek Smith 1 0 1-1 3, Jase Patterson 0 0 0-0 0, Eric Baldwin 0 1 0-0 3, Forrest Humphrey 1 0 0-0 2, Jarod Sheppard 8 0 0-1 16, Levi Cade 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 8 5-7 72. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: Belville, Smith.

ROCK HILL (0-1): Tyler Damron 3 1 4-10 13, Nathan Turvey 1 6 0-0 20, Tim Adkins 1 1 2-2 7, Brady Knipp 1 3 1-7 12, Mason Darby 2 0 1-2 5, Jaret Bacorn 1 0 0-0 2, Trystan Matney 3 0 4-4 10. Totals: 12 11 12-25 69. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.