AKRON -ÊThe first game of the new basketball season is a chance for coaches and players to get a feel for some of the strengths and weaknesses of the ball club. But the season opener can also give a team a sense of character that can define a team throughout the year.

Tippecanoe Valley learned a lot about the character of its team Wednesday night as the Vikings hosted South Bend St. Joseph's in the 2003 boys basketball season opener. The Vikings had to come back from seven points down midway through the fourth quarter to capture a 53-50 win in overtime.

"For our group of kids I think this is important," said Valley head coach Bill Patrick of his team's ability to come back from such a deficit. "I think this will be a plus for us in games down the road."

The Vikings did not play well throughout the first half. Breakdowns on defense led to fouls which put St. Joe on the foul line multiple times. The Indians built up a five-point halftime lead thanks to eight free throws in the first half.

A variety of zone defenses by Valley began to cause problems for the Indians to start the second half. The Vikings defense limited St. Joe to just two field goals in the third quarter and forced seven turnovers by the Indians.

That defense sputtered though in the fourth quarter as the St. Joe lead grew to seven. But once again the Vikings battled back and a little jump shot in the lane by Shane Drudge tied the score at 43-all with 1:28 left.

Two free throws by Stuart Jackson with 50 seconds left gave the Vikings their first lead since early in the first quarter. After holding the Indians scoreless on the defensive end ,though Valley turned the ball over bringing it back up court.

That turnover allowed St. Joe guard Johnny Davis to penetrate on the Indians next two possessions and draw fouls. Each time he hit one of his free throws to tie the score at 45 and send the game into overtime.

Once again in overtime it was Drudge that came up big for the Vikings. With one minute left the sophomore center hit another shot in the lane to put Valley up 51-50. A steal on the defensive end by Cory Vanlaningham with eight seconds left sealed the win for the Vikings.

Patrick thought after the game that a win under such a pressure situation provides good experience for his club.

"We have a lot of inexperience out there so to be able to comeback is a plus," said Patrick.

David Lash had a big game for the Vikings. He led the team in scoring and rebounding with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Vanlaningham added 13 points and Drudge ended up with 12.

Indians' John White caused problems for Valley all night under the basket. He finished with a team-high 18 points.

TIPPECANOE VALLEY 53, SB St. Joseph's 50, OT

Valley scoring: Denny 3-6 2-2 8; Parker 1-3 1-2 3; Vanlaningham 5-11 1-2 13; Gibson 0-0 0-0 0; Jackson 1-5 1-2 3; Lash 6-10 2-5 14; Drudge 5-8 2-5 12. Totals 21-43 18-25 53.

St. Joe scoring: Davey 0-0 0-0 0; Reardon 1-2 0-0 2; Johnson 2-3 0-0 4; Davis 2-5 5-7 9; Mackowiak 0-0 2-3 2; Deutsher 5-11 1-4 15; White 6-8 6-9 18. Totals 16-29 14-23 50.

Three-point field goals -ÊValley: Vanlaningham 2. St. Joe: Deutsher 3. Rebounds -ÊValley 23 (Lash 12, Drudge 4); St. Joe 14 (White 5). Assists -ÊValley 16 (Parker 4, Denny 4); St. Joe 11 (Davis 5). Steals -ÊValley 9 (Vanlaningham 3); St. Joe 6 (Davis 3). Total fouls (fouled out) -ÊTippecanoe Valley 20 (None), St. Joe 16 (None).

Records: Tippecanoe Valley 1-0; St. Joe 0-1.

JV - TIPPECANOE VALLEY 38, SB ST JOSEPH'S 32

Valley leaders -ÊO.B. Thompson 12, Aaron Reed 10 [[In-content Ad]]