By Baylen Hite
News Now Warsaw
How it Happened
Led by junior Ian Cooksey’s 24 point career-high performance, the Vikings found win No. 1 on the early season.
Stephen Akase chipped in 15 points, and Deondre Hamilton added a career best 6 points.
Throughout the early part of the game, Valley made it a point to slow down Bremen’s leading scorer, freshman Chase Devine. The Vikings did that by shutting him out in the first half. Bremen’s lifeline was junior Silas Laidig who had 12 points on four made 1st half threes. Laidig wouldn’t score in the 2nd half.
In the second half is when Valley really clamped down defensively — particularly in the fourth quarter. Valley didn’t allow a field goal from the Lions. Bremen only scored 3 points via 3 free throws across the final 8 minutes.
Valley used a three point barrage to close out the game nailing 4 triples in the final frame.
“I really like this team. We knew when this season started and we built this schedule that we would be challenged and after Tuesday night we needed to respond,” said Valley head coach Joe Luce who tallied his 357 career victory.
Tippecanoe Valley’s youthful team took a big step forward with the win. The Vikings only turned the ball over 12 times — a season low for the group. Their effort on the glass was on full display, out rebounding Bremen 40-19.
Finally, the Vikings were able to scratch the itch of a victory and now prepare for seventh-ranked 1A Morgan Township (3-0) on Tuesday.
You can hear Tippecanoe Valley Boys Basketball on 107.3 WRSW again on Thursay when they meet potential sectional opponent John Glenn at the Rita Price-Simpson Court.
