Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON -ÊWhen the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings won Tuesday's first-round sectional game over Mishawaka Marian, they were happy for the win but knew they had their work cut out for them.
You see, after that first round victory, Valley had to face off against No. 9 (3A) Plymouth Friday night in the sectional semifinal game.
After finishing the season 5-15, and without leading scorer Tabitha Pratt, many believed Valley was in for a sure drubbing.
But although Valley fell to Plymouth, the Vikings surprised the naysayers by keeping up with the Pilgrims and giving them a run for their money.
In the end, Plymouth came out with a six-point win, 38-32.
The Vikings came out to play in the first quarter as Valley scored the first eight points of the game. Lynette Wilcox hit her first two shots while Jennifer Studebaker and Jamie Doud netted the next two to put Valley up 8-0.
Valley held Plymouth scoreless until the 2:43 mark when Lesley Blackburn hit a jumper to make the score 8-2.
Wilcox hit 1 of 2 free throws with 2:13 left in the quarter to put Valley up 9-4, but that was the last time Valley scored in the frame. Plymouth ended the first stanza on a rool as the Pilgrims scored eight straight points to take a 12-9 lead into the second frame.
Plymouth continued their run in the early part of the second quarter as they scored the first five points of the quarter. The Pilgrims went on to outscore the Valley squad 14-6 in the quarter and take a 26-15 advantage at the half.
Although Valley was down by 11 at the half, they were not out. After Plymouth netted the first two baskets of the second half, Valley went on a 12-0 run that cut the Pilgrim lead to three, 30-27.
Senior Erica Pontious was a major force in the run by scoring six points in the stretch. Studebaker, also a senior, netted four points during the Valley scoring explosion.
However, Plymouth scored the last four points of the third frame to take a 34-27 lead into the last quarter of play.
The Pilgrims also scored the first four points of the fourth stanza to increase their lead to 11, 38-27.
Studebaker, Wilcox and Kathy Prater combined for the last five points of the game, but Plymouth left with a 38-32 victory.
"Our defense only allowed them to score 12 points in the second half," said Valley coach Gary Teel. "It's unfortunate we didn't win the game. We won the effort factor, we won the hustle factor, but we just didn't win the score factor, and that's what it takes to move on."
Wilcox was the only Viking in double figures with 11 points; Studebaker and Pontious added eight points each.
"I can't say enough about Jen Studebaker and Erica Pontious," said Teel. "They are seniors, but I hate to see them go. They have play so hard this year, I couldn't have asked any more of them. They are quality people and I will miss them."
Valley finishes the season 6-16. Plymouth (No. 9 3A) will battle Rochester (No. 4 3A) in tonight's sectional fianl in a matchup of state-ranked teams.
"I am very pround of this team," said Teel. "We took an 18-3 state-ranked team down to the wire. I am so proud of them and their character. The way they came back and hung in there was great."
No. 9 (3A) PLYMOUTH 38
T. VALLEY 32
No. 9 (3A) PLYMOUTH 38, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 32
Plymouth 12 14 8 4 - 38
Valley 9 6 12 5 - 32
Valley FG FT R S Pts.
*Kindig 0-3 0-0 2 1 6
*Wilcox 4-9 3-4 8 3 11
*Studebaker 4-8 0-0 6 0 8
*Pontious 4-7 0-0 3 2 8
*Doud 1-6 0-0 0 1 2
Prater 1-3 1-2 4 4 3
Parker 0-1 0-0 2 0 0
Totals 14-37 4-6 25 11 32
Plymouth FG FT R S Pts.
*Benge 2-8 2-4 1 0 6
*Schlosser 0-0 0-0 1 0 0
*Blackburn 4-9 2-5 4 1 12
*Swihart 3-5 2-2 8 4 8
*Cox 0-3 1-2 3 0 1
Bunton 0-4 0-0 1 3 0
Palmer 3-3 2-2 5 1 8
Houin 1-1 0-1 2 0 3
Rubesha 0-0 0-0 1 0 0
Totals 13-32 9-15 26 9 38
Three-point goals -ÊValley 0-7 (Doud 0-2, Kindig 0-2, Wilcox 0-2, Pontious 0-1), Plymouth 3-15 (Blackburn 2-6, Houin 1-1, Bunton 0-3, Benge 0-5). Total fouls -ÊValley 17, Plymouth 13. Fouled out -ÊNone. Turnovers -ÊValley 19, Plymouth 23.
