By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Vikings are one step from the first goal.

The Vikings hopes of winning the Southern Ohio Conference basketball championship remained alive with an 88-33 blowout of the Western Indians Friday.

Symmes Valley is 16-3 overall and 11-2 in the SOC, one-half game behind Green who finished up its league schedule at 12-2 to clinch at least a share of the title.

The Vikings needed a win over Eastern on Saturday night to earn a share of the title. Green clinched a piece of the title by winning 72-62 at Eastern on Friday.

“The kids went out and took care of business. They didn’t’ take Western lightly and made sure they still had a chance to win the title,” said Vikings’ coach Jerome Fuller.

Not only did the Vikings keep their title hopes alive, but their 16th win set a new school record for most victories in a single season.

“Not very many people get to do that. The kids have worked hard to accomplish it. It’s something they can be proud of,” said Fuller.

Luke Taylor had 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Vikings.

Josh Craft finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Ryan Stanley and D.J. Miller added 12 points each.

Stanley had eight points in the first quarter as the Vikings took a 19-12 lead. Klay Park hit four 3-pointers for all of Western’s scoring in the quarter.

Symmes Valley outscored the Indians 21-5 in the second quarter to open up a 40-17 halftime lead.

Craft scored 12 points and Taylor eight in the third quarter as the Vikings racked up 30 points to blow the game wide-open at 70-24.

Park finished with 14 points for the winless Indians (0-20).

Western Pike 12 5 7 9 = 33

Symmes Valley 19 21 30 18 = 88

WESTERN PIKE (0-20, 0-14): Colton Ross 2 0 0-1 4, Bruce Knauff 0 2 1-2 7, Klay Park 1 4 0-1 14, Chandler Grooms 0 0 0-0 0, Colton Lightle 1 0 0-0 2, Dillon Guilkey 0 0 2-2 2, Robert Russell 0 0 0-2 0, Tyler Wessell 0 0 2-2 2, Cody Williams 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 5 6 5-11 33. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Grooms.

SYMMES VALLEY (16-3, 11-2): Alec Herrell 1 0 0-1 2, Brad Lemaster 1 1 0-0 5, Austin Baldwin 1 0 1-3 3, D.J. Miller 2 2 2-4 12, Corey Brown 2 0 1-2 5, Luke Taylor 6 0 4-7 16, Tyler Wilson 3 0 0-0 6, Tanner Conley 3 0 0-0 6, Josh Craft 8 0 0-3 16, Mitch Corn 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Rowe 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Patterson 1 1 0-0 5, Ryan Stanley 6 0 0-0 12. Totals: 34-52 4-15 8-20 88. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 4-15. Rebounds: 40 (Taylor 13, Craft 7). Assists: 20 (Craft 5, Lemaster 4). Steals: 15 (Brown 4). Turnovers: 15. Blocked shots: 3 (Stanley 3).

RESERVES: Symmes Valley 46-17. SV leader: Tyler Rowe 11.