AKRON – Coach Chris Kindig admitted his answer was going to be cliche. Taking things one game at a time, however, is in fact he and his Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team’s approach as the 41st annual IHSAA state tournament begins this week. It’s the same approach that led the Lady Vikings to the Class 3A state championship game last year. And it’s the same approach that has led Class 3A No. 4 Valley to a 21-1 record this season, a mark that includes a second-straight undefeated Three Rivers Conference record. Yes, Valley is the best team in Sectional 21. Yes, the Lady Vikings are playing the sectional on their home floor. And yes, Kindig and his team are keeping things in perspective. “We’re still going to have to play well,” said Kindig. “It doesn’t matter who we play, we have to play well. We can’t turn the ball over. We have to stay out of foul trouble ... we fought that the whole tournament last year, having a couple girls in foul trouble. “Things really tighten up when you get in the sectional. So, I really think the teams that play good defense are the ones that are gonna have the advantage, and we’ve played pretty good defense all year, as well as offense, too. “I know it’s cliche, but we’re really just going to take things one game at a time.” Valley opens tournament play Tuesday at 6 p.m. against a Wawasee team the Lady Vikings beat 72-38 last week. Wawasee is 8-14, but has won three of its last four games. And in talking about his team’s tournament draw, Kindig was once again quick to point out he and his squad are taking one game at a time and not overlooking anybody. “Well, I wasn’t particularly impressed with our draw, in terms of playing the same team twice within a week,” said Kindig. “It’d be nice to have the bye. You always wanna play fewer games if you can. “I think the girls are gonna be ready, and I think it really is an advantage to play at home, just in terms of not having to make travel arrangements and things like that. “I think the girls are gonna be ready to play. We’re gonna have to play three solid games, just like last year. Wawasee is no slouch. I realize we beat them last week, but they’ll change some things up on us, and we will too. But we’re gonna have to come out ready to play.” Also on Tuesday at Valley, Lakeland plays NorthWood at approximately 7:30 p.m. In Friday’s first semifinal game, West Noble plays either Valley or Wawasee, followed by Fairfield against either Lakeland or NorthWood. Saturday’s sectional championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Columbia City Regional to play the winner of the Garrett Sectional. Sectional winners at Norwell and Hamilton Heights also feed into the Columbia City Regional. “The formula we had last year for winning and going as far as we did was we had three or four girls score in double figures every night, and it wasn’t always the same three or four,” said Kindig. “I think we have seven or eight girls that are capable of doing that this year. I think these girls are confident. I think the experience factor is gonna help. And I think playing at home is gonna help.” The Lady Vikings have won 12 of their last 13 home games. Their only loss this season was a 50-44 setback to Westfield on Nov. 28. Westfield, a 4A team, is 20-3 heading into the state tournament. Junior Anne Secrest leads Valley with 17 points and eight rebounds per game, while junior Meredith Brouyette and sophomore Addy Miller score eight points per game, and senior Brynda Krueger and junior Hannah Dunn chip in with seven points per contest.
