Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — All wins are good, but a win in the first game of the season just seems to taste better.
The Symmes Valley Vikings got a good taste in their mouths after opening the season with a 44-35 win over the South Gallia Rebels on Friday.
“It was a good win. It’s always nice to win that first game,” said Vikings’ coach Saunders.
“Our kids gave a really good effort across the board. We’ve got to shoot better, but our defense is what I’m most proud of. Our defense was outstanding. They didn’t get many open shots.”
Payton Hayes scored 13 points and Jarod Sheppard had 11 to lead a balanced offense.  Laykin Gothard added 7 points and Chayden Renfroe scored 6 points.
Curtis Haner scored 13 points and Caleb Henry 10 to lead the Rebels (0-1).
Gothard had 4 points in the first quarter to help offset 6 points by Haner as the Vikings took a 14-10 lead.
Hayes scored 4 points in the second quarter and it was 23-19 at the half
Sheppard got 4 points in the third quarter to match the Rebels total output as the Vikings extended the lad to 33-23.
Hayes put up 4 more points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings got their first win of the season.
Symmes Valley visits Oak Hill on Tuesday.
The Vikings’ jayvees won 35-17.
South Gallia    10    9    4    12    =    35
Sym. Valley    14    9    10    11    =    44
SOUTH GALLIA (0-1): Curtis Haner 4 1 2-2 13, Eli Ellis 0 0 1-2 1, Bryce Nolan 0 0 0-0 0, A. Stapleton 0 1 4-4 7, Joey Woodall 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Henry 5 0 0-6 10, Josh Jenry 1 0 2-2 4, Colton Bowers 0 0 -0 0, Austin Day 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 2 9-16 35. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.
SYMMES VALLEY (1-0): Levi Cade 1 0 0-1 2, Chayden Renfroe 3 0 0-1 6, Payton Hayes 3 1 2-4 13, Laykin Gothard 3 0 1-2 7, Austin Mannon, Hunter Adams 1 0 1-1 3, Jarod Sheppard 4 1 0-0 11, Brock Carpenter 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 17 2 4-9 44. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.