Valley Comes Up Just Short Against NorthWood LAGRANGE – In a tough matchup in 3A sectional number 20, the Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team fell to No. 7 NorthWood Tuesday night 48-39 despite a 17-point effort by standout junior Sidney Wagner. From the get-go, NorthWood made their post presence felt offensively. Coming into the game, Tippecanoe Valley head coach Chris Kindig knew that limiting NorthWood’s dynamic post duo of Kate Rulli and Maddy Payne would be a tremendous challenge. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re the best combo in northern Indiana,” said Kindig about Rulli and Payne. “And the thing about NorthWood is that you can’t just worry about them or you’re going to get beat by 20. They have shooters all around the perimeter that can take advantage if you overplay their post players.” He continued on to praise NorthWood’s defense, stating that it was the best one Valley had played all year. “Their perimeter defenders can afford to make a few gambles because they know that Payne and Rulli are down there to deter anyone who drives,” he stated. “They’re a tough, tough team.” While Rulli had a quiet night in comparison to her season averages of 13 points and eight rebounds – she scored five points and grabbed a handful of boards – Payne made life miserable for the Vikings. In the first quarter alone, Payne scored five of her 23 points, nearly matching Valley’s total for the period. At the end of the first, the score stood at 10-6. In the second quarter, Valley’s offense came to life, scoring 12 en route to a 18-22 deficit at the half. Valley’s ability to share the ball stood out, with only Wagner scoring more than one basket in the period (2-of-3 shooting for five points). Behind another seven points from Payne, NorthWood pulled ahead quickly in the third; Valley faced a 15-point deficit around halfway through the period. In a remarkable comeback attempt, however, Valley nearly managed to pull within two on an and-one three-point shot by freshman Kaydence Mellot. “(Mellott) had to overcome some confidence issues earlier in the year, but she’s not playing scared anymore,” said Kindig. “She’s a gym rat. She shot well tonight, and (Wagner) was doing a good job of finding her open in the corners on her drives.” Unfortunately for Valley, the free-throw attempt did not go in, and Valley was never able to pull even the rest of the way as NorthWood once again stretched the lead to nine points. “I’m proud of how they played,” said Kindig. “We could have folded there in the third when we got down big, but we made it manageable.” The Lady Vikings finished the season with a 16-7 record.
