Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PERU AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY
Tip-off: 6 p.m. tonight in Akron
Coaches: Terry Heavilon (Peru), Bill Patrick (Valley)
Records: Peru 4-0, Valley 3-1
Last Game: Peru 92, Wabash 38; Valley 69, Whitko 53
Last Year: Peru 80, T. Valley 62; Peru 111, Valley 107, 2 OT (Sectional)
Matchup: Tippecanoe Valley and Peru faced two times last season, and Peru won both games. Like last year, the Peru Tigers are averaging around 90 points per game. Peru is led by junior Brandon Jones and senior Steve Smiley. Both come in averaging 16 points per game. Jones also averages 9.0 rebounds per game. Valley is on a three-game win streak after defeating Columbia City, North Miami and Whitko. Brandon Eaton is leading the Vikings in scoring, and he netted 18 points in Valley's win over Whitko Friday. Three other Valley players scored in double figures against Whitko as well. Anthony Domenico, Noah Silveus and Dax Snyder added 14, 13 and 11 points respectively in that win.
Patrick: "They beat us twice last year, and they have seven kids back from last year's team. I expect the same type of game as last year. They play a full-court press for the full 32 minutes, and they can play nine or 10 players. They fast-break a lot and take a lot of shots. They have some good athletes. One guy is 6-6 and the rest are 6-2. There's a junior, Brandon Jones, who's one of the best players in the state. If we can handle the press and not commit a lot of turnovers, I think we can compete with them. If we have more than 20 turnovers, we are in trouble, but if we can keep the turnovers around 12 or 13, we may be all right."
Heavilon: "They lost some seniors and we lost some seniors. It's altogether different from last year. We're kind of developing a rivalry with them. With coach Patrick being coach Patrick, I'm sure he'll have the kids ready to play. I think it'll be tough, hard-fought game."
