Despite not both still being members of the Three Rivers Conference as was the case in year’s past, the Tippecanoe Valley and Rochester athletic programs have done a great job continuing the rivalry. On Friday night, the newest edition of the battle for the bell took place as the Viking boys basketball team throttled the Zebras 70-30 at home.
With Rita Price Simpson Court packed to the gills and ready to see their Vikings take on their longtime rivals, senior sharpshooter Riley Shepherd wasted no time in giving them something to cheer about, hitting two three pointers in the game’s opening minute to give his team a lightning-quick start.
Shepherd wasn’t the only Viking to begin the game on fire. As a unit, Valley came out on a mission, blitzing the Zebras with a suffocating defense as well as a high-powered offense. After just five minutes of game time, Tippy Valley had already gone up by double digits for the first time.
Another player leading the charge was sophomore Steven Akase. The 6’6” forward was a menace on both ends, using his height and stature to make it easy to score in the paint on one end while sending back a flurry of Rochester shot attempts away on the other end. Thanks to Shepherd and Akase leading the way, the Vikings were able to take an eight-point lead into the second quarter.
If there was one thing that kept the Vikings from putting the Zebras away early, it would be turnovers. While Valley was able to get just about anything they wanted when they shot the ball, more than a few possessions started to pile up where the home side was unable to put anything up before giving it away. Because of this, the visitors were able to hang around for a short time in the second quarter before the Vikings figured it out once more and went on another run.
Headlining this run was Akase, who was a machine down low, grabbing offensive rebounds for put-backs while also scoring unconventionally with a very nice euro step move. Junior Blain Sheetz was also critical to his team extending its lead, creating havoc with his defensive pressure and earning three first-half steals because of it.

    Junior Blain Sheetz of Valley sets his sights on the basket during Friday night's home game against Rochester. Photo by Gary Nieter

The defense of Valley was just as important in this one, as the home side was able to make life miserable for the Zebras throughout the game. Rochester didn’t reach double figures scoring as a team until the two minute mark of the second quarter. The size of the Vikings made it near impossible for the visitors to find any separation.
Going into the half, Valley had extended its lead up to 15, with Akase having scored eleven points to lead all scorers, and Shepherd right behind him with nine.
At halftime, Tippecanoe Valley honored a series of athletes by inducting them into the Wall of Honor, which is still currently under construction at the school. In total, 28 current and former Vikings across eight sports were honored in an extended halftime.
The Valley offense continued to keep it rolling as the third quarter got started, going up by 20 a few minute into the quarter. Shepherd continued his hot shooting night with another long distance make as well as a tough and-1 on a layup.
The extent of Rochester’s offense for the majority of the third quarter came from the free throw line. After a relatively whistle-free first half, the Zebras were able to draw more contact on their shot attempts in the second, getting the Vikings in foul trouble in the process.
It would not do much for the visitors, as Valley was operating like a well-oiled machine and there was no slowing them down. Ian Cooksey, who only had one make in the first half, more than doubled his scoring total with some tough made shots as the Viking lead crept closer to 30.
With two minutes left in the third, it reached that total as the Vikings continued to punish the Zebras. Sheetz, who had made his imapact almost exclusively defensively so far, got it going with four quick points at the end of the period.
Less than a minute into the fourth, Valley got its lead up to 35 to put the running clock into effect. The Vikings didn’t stop there, leaving their starters in as the game waned down. Shepherd continued what had already been a tremendous night with his fifth three of the game.
At about the halfway mark, both teams made the decision to empty their respective benches. Wes Parker and DeOndre Hamilton were among the players to fill up the score sheet in the game’s final minutes.
Akase and Shepherd tied for the game-high in scoring with 20 points each. Akase added 12 rebounds for a double-double. Cooksey scored 10 points while Kyler Johnson added eight.
Tippecanoe Valley (5-3) will take part in the Delta Holiday Classic starting on Wednesday.