Tippecanoe Valley Freshman Named Area Player Of The Year
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
AKRON – Asked to describe Anne Secrest, both the basketball player and the person, Tippecanoe Valley High School coach Chris Kindig used words like level-headed, hard-working, dedicated and mature. The truth behind Kindig's compliments is quickly revealed while watching the 15-year-old freshman play hoops for the Lady Vikings and by simply talking to her. “She's a very level-headed person,” said Kindig. “She's very mature. It's hard to believe she's only a freshman. The kids all like her. She's very easy to get along with. She's just a great kid.” She's also a pretty good basketball player, and after shooting 60 percent from the field and averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds this season, Secrest has been named Times-Union Area Player of the Year. She is the first Lady Vikings player to garner the award since Hannah Krueger in 2008. “I love basketball,” the 6-foot Secrest said in a phone conversation last week. “I love the intensity and the challenge. I like the fundamentals and just the whole game.” Secrest, the daughter of Mike and Mary Ann Secrest, said she began playing basketball at home with her brothers and first played on the school team in 3rd grade. At this time last year, Secrest was playing on the 8th grade team at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School. On Wednesday, wearing her No. 50 jersey, she'll play in her first state tournament game, as the Lady Vikings play Fairfield in Class 3A Sectional 21 action at NorthWood High School. If Valley is to win its sixth sectional title in program history and first since 2007, one can assume Secrest will have played a big role. “She's averaging a double-double,” said Kindig. “She’s a great rebounder. She's aggressive. Sometimes girls won't fight for position, but Anne is great at going after the ball.” In 18 games this season, Secrest has 10 double-doubles. Her season high in points is 23 in the season opener against Bremen, while her season high in rebounds is 16, a total she reached against both Northfield and Triton. Ask the modest and humble Secrest about her favorite moment this season, and rather than talking about a play she has made she talks about her teammates. “I'd say being around my teammates,” Secrest said when asked to talk about something memorable from her first varsity season. “This has been a fun year. We have a great group of girls. They're really good people. I just like being around them.” Secrest burst onto the varsity scene, scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the season opener against Bremen. Active on the hardwood, Secrest is certainly busy in her spare time too. Secrest is involved in 4-H, Junior Leaders, FFA and even pointed out that school is as important to her as basketball. Though she has three more years of high school, Secrest, who said her favorite teacher is Mrs. Paxton, wants to go to college and study for a career in Agriculture. Secrest lives on a farm with her family, and she said that's where she developed her work ethic. “My family taught me how to work hard,” said Secrest. “I have chores on the farm, and my family taught me how to work hard. I really want to play Division I basketball, and I want to study Agriculture. School is a big part of it too.” What's scary for Valley's opponents the next three years is that Secrest already has things in perspective and knows how to work hard. As she continues to develop her skills, she's only going to get better and better. “We've only scratched the surface with Anne,” said Kindig. “She's got three more years of high school. She puts in the time. She works hard and wants to improve. She's pretty good now, but it's scary to think how good she can be in three years.”
