CALEDONIA, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—When a team has several returning starters and quality depth, it usually equates to success.

Galion found that out in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game Thursday night. River Valley put 10 players in the scorebook and gained a 73-41 victory.

“River Valley is a tremendous team. Them and Mansfield Senior are probably two of the tougher opponents on our schedule this year. We knew what we were walking into,” Tigers head coach Tyler Sanders said.

“Tonight was about trying to match toughness and physicality. Obviously, they check the boxes with experience. We’re playing six sophomores and some seniors without a ton of varsity experience.”

Carson Myers, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, led the way with 18 points for River Valley. Sawyer Weston added 13 and Chase Smith 11. Myers added three steals and Weston four rebounds and three thefts.

In total, RV took advantage of 24 turnovers and had 18 steals, building a 37-22 halftime lead.

“We’re trying to play team basketball, share the ball and move the ball,” Vikings head coach Rodney Brown said.

The Vikings improve to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the MOAC. Galion slips to 1-7, 1-5.

“I was a little disappointed about halfway through the first quarter. I was like, why are we playing selfish? I got on them a few times about it, and they did a better job in the second half.”

Galion was led by seniors Max Albert and Quinn Miller with 8 points each. Jameson Glew added 7.

In the second half the Vikings opened up a 23-point lead after Galion had cut it to 10 points a couple of times in the second quarter.

“We didn’t shoot very well tonight and still scored 70 points. I think we’ve got a lot of the tools, but we need to polish them right now,” Brown added.

Balanced scoring has been a hallmark for River Valley.

“That’s the key for us. Being unselfish and sharing the ball. We’re hard to guard when we share it and when we move it. That’s what our MO is.”

Despite the score, Sanders said his squad didn’t quit.

“They’re really good at executing off turnovers. So, when we did turn it over, they made it hurt,” he said.

“I thought my kids battled hard and did a decent job on the glass until the final couple minutes of the game.”

RV held a 25-17 edge on the glass, led by Eli Snyder’s 6. Weston and Owen Osting added 4 rebounds each for the Vikings.

Dom Capretta had 4 caroms and Jack Rinehart added 3 off the bench.

“The effort and energy and heart were there. We just need to do a better job of execution,” Sanders said.

“Twice we got it to 10 and then they have just two or three dudes that make you pay. We had a couple bad defensive assignments there.”

The MOAC is competitive, with River Valley at the top, along with Marion Harding and Pleasant. It’s a bit more balanced this season, according to Sanders.

“Last year you knew who your juggernauts were. This year the rest of the league is any night if you step in and don’t play well, you’re going to lose.

“We’re making good gains and we’re competing. We’ve just got to get over the hump.”

The Tigers visit Lucas Saturday in nonleague play. River Valley travels to Columbus to face unbeaten Bishop Watterson (4-0).

“They play Pick North tomorrow (Friday), so I hope they’re 5-0 when we go play them,” Brown said.

“They’re good and keep replacing guys. We try to schedule the best teams we can. We want to get ready for that tournament run again.”

The Vikings fell in the Division II district championship last year to Bishop Hartley, 55-52.

Box score

Galion                9     13     12         7 — 41

River Valley     22     15     20      16 — 73

Galion (1-7, 1-5 MOAC): Shots 17-41; 3-pt. shots 5-15 (Jameson Glew, Brant Walker, Christian Bare, Quinn Miller, Max Albert); Free throws 2-7; Rebounds 17 (Dominic Capretta 4); Turnovers 24. Scoring: Jameson Glew 3 0 7, Dominic Capretta 1 0 2, Colton Flynn 1 0 2, Parker Tinch 3 0 6, Brant Walker 1 0 3, Christian Bare 2 0 5, Quinn Miller 3 1 8, Max Albert 3 1 8.

River Valley (7-1, 4-1 MOAC): Shots 27-63; 3-pt. shots 7-24 (Carter Myers 2, Peyton Ross, Chase Ebert, Chase Smith, Eli Snyder, Eyan Axline); Free throws 12-17; Rebounds 25 (Eli Snyder 6); Turnovers 13. Scoring: Owen Osting 1 1 3, Sawyer Weston 6 1 13, Peyton Rose 1 0 3, Luke Axline 2 1 5, Chase Ebert 2 2 7, Chase Smith 4 2 11, Hudson Pollock 0 1 1, Carter Myers 6 4 18, Eli Snyder 2 0 5, Eyan Axline 3 0 7.

JV: River Valley 53-24.

Other scores

Girls

Mansfield Christian 62, Crestline 11

Plymouth 51, Black River 34

Sandusky Perkins 41, Willard 37

Ashland Crestview 56, South Central 13

Riverdale 54, Elmwood 39

Pandora-Gilboa 59, Vanlue 25

Van Buren 46, Liberty-Benton 43

McComb 52, Arlington 27

Arcadia 52, Ada 30

Boys

Seneca East 52, New London 46

Shelby 68, Ontario 59

Tiffin Columbian 44, Vermilion 34

Tiffin Calvert 63, Norwalk St. Paul 46

Highland 63, Clear Fork 57

North Baltimore 38, Fremont St. Joseph 36