By Baylen Hite
News Now Warsaw
AKRON — So much can change in just seven days. Just ask Tippecanoe Valley head coach Joe Luce. The veteran coach in his 22nd season has helped his team reverse their 0-2 start and now hold a record of (3-2) after taking down John Glenn 52-46 on Saturday night.
The Vikings avenged a loss that was not forgotten by the group from earlier in the year. On Feb. 28, John Glenn ended the Vikings 2022-23 season in a 55-68 sectional defeat.
“We wanted to get this one for our seniors last season, this was the team that ended their careers and so we made it important when we saw this game on the schedule to remember that and play for them,” said coach Luce after the game.
Valley raced out to an early 12-3 lead after the 1st quarter. The Falcons would respond in the 2nd quarter though and cut the Valley lead down to 21-17 at the end of the half. Stephen Akase led the Vikings in scoring with 9 points at the half.
From that point, the 2nd half was nearly even. John Glenn’s Joe Chrapliwy helped keep the Falcons in striking distance with 12 points in the 2nd half. He would finish the game with 23 points.
Tippecanoe Valley had their own sharpshooter in the 2nd half with Ian Cooksey totaling four three-pointers in the game. Cooksey finished with a team-high 22 points. That also marked his second 20-plus point performance of the season.
The Vikings wouldn’t crack under pressure late in the game. The Falcons got the game within 2 points late in the 4th quarter but timely defense and free throw shooting kept them. at a distance. Valley’s Davis Cowan was calm at the line, knocking down four of the final seven Valley free throws to secure the win.
“I love the growth of this team, I’ve challenged them early and tonight they responded,” added coach Luce.
Valley Scoring
Ian Cooksey – 22 | Stephen Akase – 14 | Kyler Johnson – 6 | Davis Cowan – 5 | DeOndre Hamilton – 3 | Blain Sheetz – 2
Next Game | At Peru Friday | 7:05 PM (JV At 6 PM)
Listen along to the Vikings as they travel to battle tested (3-1) Peru on Friday night. The Legendary Rita Price will have the call on 107.3 WRSW.
