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Tippecanoe Valley's boys golf team got the spark it needed from an unlikely source Wednesday, a freshman.
Drew Shafer, playing in the Vikings No. 2 spot, shot a 1-over-par 36 as the Vikings defeated North Miami 164-193 in a Three Rivers Conference match. Shafer, who put together his best round of the year, had shot a 46 on the same Rozella Ford Golf Course just one week ago.
"That was a nice score," Valley head coach Roger Moriarty said. "This was the score we were waiting on and he's capable of doing that. Shafer's a real solid golfer."
According to Moriarty, that kind of improvement can be expected from any of his four freshmen. However, the reverse effect could also be true on any given night because of the inconsistency associated with having four underclassmen among the varsity starting five.
"I think realistically we can shoot 158 or 157 night in and night out," Moriarty said. "But with freshmen we'll see that score jump around."
The Martins, Aaron and Andy, both shot a 42 to help out Valley's cause, while Brian Love tossed in a 44. Anthony Domenico finished up with a 47.
Moriarty felt like that 36 is a sign of things to come from Shafer now that he's broken through. He just needed that confidence boost in a competition to begin shooting scores in the 30s every time out. Now, Moriarty wants to see another of his golfers do that.
"Our next job is to get Andy (Martin) there one time," Moriarty said.
Andy Martin often shoots in the 30s in practice and, like Shafer, just needs to feel that success in a match setting to break through, according to Moriarty.
But for now, the Vikings are happy to be looking at a 3-1 record and an even better 2-0 conference record. And Valley will get to see three more conference teams on Saturday when the Vikings play at the Whitko Tournament.
"Whitko's still pretty strong," Moriarty said. "Rochester's strong. Realistically, I want to win it, but there's going to be some stiff competition. I'd really like to see how we stack up against teams like Wawasee and Manchester and teams that we'll see in the sectional."
Valley (3-1, 2-0) will begin play at the Whitko Invitational Saturday at 9 a.m. before hosting Culver on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 164, NORTH MIAMI 193
Valley - Aaron Martin 42, Drew Shafer 36, Andy Martin 42, Anthony Domenico 47, Brian Love 44
North Miami - Greg Deardorff 41, Andy Brower 56, Mike Gidley 54, Andy Miller 47, Casey Wydra 51
