Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — Going back-to-back forced the St. Joseph Flyers to go face-to-face.
After a win against New Boston on Tuesday, the Flyers needed a tight defense on Wednesday to post a 50-43 win over the Symmes Valley Vikings.
“We played pretty well. We started slow and then we picked it up. Playing back-to-back nights had me kind of worried, and we were down a man with Tre (Neal) out, but we had some guys step it up,” said Flyers’ coach Rex Cooksey.
“The whole team’s defensive effort was excellent. We were right up in their face and they still hit shots. They have some kids who can get loose and get hot. They’ve got a nice team with some good athletes.”
Chase Walters had 18 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Flyers (4-5). Zac McGraw added 12 points and 7 rebounds while Zach Roach came off the bench to score 11 points.
Peyton Adkins added 5 assists and 2 steals with Clay Willis grabbing 6 rebounds.
The Vikings (4-3) were led by Payton Hayes with 13 points and Chayden Renfore with 11.
Renfroe and Hayes scored 5 points each as the Vikings took a 15-7 first quarter lead. Walters and McGraw combined for all of St. Joseph’s points.
The Flyers got going in the second quarter as Roach hit three trifectas and scored all 11 of his points. Walters added 6 points as St. Joseph took a 26-20 halftime lead.
Renfroe scored 4 points in the third quarter to offset a 3-pointer by Willis as the Vikings sliced the deficit to 35-30.
But Walters and McGraw combined for 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Flyers outscored the Vikings 15-13.
“I was proud of our kids for their patience and ball movement. Isaac (Whaley) had to run the point the whole game with Tre out and did a great job. He got the ball in right people’s hands,” said Cooksey.
Symmes Valley hosts Western on Friday. St. Joseph entertains Portsmouth West on Saturday.
St. Joseph    7    19    9    15    =    50
Sym. Valley    15    5    10    13    =    43
ST. JOSEPH (4-5): Isaac Whaley 1 0 0-2 2, Clay Willis 0 1 2-2 5, Zach Roach 1 3 0-0 11, Peyton Adkins 1 0 0-1 2, Zac McGraw 5 0 2-4 12, Chase Walters 7 0 4-4 18, Isaac Walker 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-43 8-13 50. 3-point goals: 4-15. Rebounds: 9-O, 17-D = 26 (McGraw 7, Walters 7, Willis 6). Assists: 13 (Adkins 5). Steals: 6 (Adkins 2, Walters 2). Turnovers: 15. Blocked shot: 1 (McGraw). Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.
SYMMES VALLEY (4-3): Levi Cade 0 0 1-4 1, Chayden Renfroe 4 1 0-0 11, Payton Hayes 2 3 0-0 13, Laykin Gothard 3 0 1-2 7, Hunter Adams 2 0 0-3 4, Jarod Sheppard 2 1 0-0 7, Brock Carpenter 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 5 2-9 43. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Renfroe.