Secrest leads Valley to 64-60 victory over NorthWood
Posted
Mark Howe-mhowe@timesuniononline.com
SYRACUSE – Victory can be especially sweet when it’s a long time coming and the stakes are high. After losing to No. 10 NorthWood 13 times over the past 10 years, often by double digits and including a game in last year’s sectional, the 14th time was the charm Friday night as ninth-ranked Tippecanoe Valley beat the Lady Panthers 64-60 in overtime of a Class 3A Sectional 21 semifinal at Wawasee High School. Lady Vikings head coach Chris Kindig had a feeling it would be a lucky Friday the 13th for his team. “For whatever reason, I felt like the girls weren’t going to be denied tonight. They made so many plays, hustle plays and played hard,” he said. “We got the ball in the right spots, especially in the second overtime, and I thought our defense was pretty good, especially in the overtimes. “With the way we practiced the last couple of days, I really felt good about this team, and I guess I’m not surprised (at the outcome). Out team is ‘forget about the me, it’s about the we’ and the ‘we’ won the basketball game tonight.” Valley got a huge game from Anne Secrest, who had five traditional three-point plays, was perfect with nine free throws, and finished with a double-double of 27 points and 17 rebounds. Taylor Trippiedi scored 14 points in the win, and Caylie Teel added 10 on 5-of-6 shooting from the field. Kindig agreed with naming Secrest the Times-Union Player of the Year, even if she played most of the second half with three fouls and almost the entire second overtime with four. “I’ve watched a lot of film, and watched a lot of teams, and she’s the best I’ve seen this year. I know I’m biased, and I understand that,” Kindig said. “Time and time again she makes the plays, rebounds, and plays great defense. I just wish we could keep her out of foul trouble a little bit more. I get a few extra gray hairs when she’s carrying three or four fouls in the game. “It’s also a tribute to her teammates; they’re very unselfish about getting her the ball, and she appreciates it, too.” On the other side of the court, the Lady Panthers, who finished the season with a 19-6 record, got 24 points from Jordyn Frantz and 17 from Haley Roe. After getting a first-round bye, Friday marked the first time since 2008 the Lady Panthers have failed to win at least one sectional game. Valley (21-2) will go for its first sectional title since 2007 when it battles fellow Three Rivers Conference member Whitko at 7:30 p.m. today. Valley beat the Lady Wildcats 42-38 on Dec. 20.
