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Week 8 Hoops - with John Benke
It had been three weeks since the LaPorte Slicers played a game a Slicer Gym. A Dec 20th win over Michigan City was the last contest they had played there. But having a ten day layoff after a loss to Chesterton, gave the Slicers a chance to regroup.
Merrillville came to town Friday night. And with B.J. Jenkins lighting it up from the outside, scoring 15 first half points, the Pirates led 37-31. LaPorte trailed by double-digits in the third quarter, but rallied to cut the lead to three at 50-47,
Then Josh Fleming took over as LaPorte opened the fourth with an 11-1 run, to take a 58-51 lead. Fleming scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. Merrillville would fight back as Isaiah Wilson's two free throws with eight seconds left tied the game at 63-63
and the end of regulation. Merrillville took a 67-64 lead in the overtime, but Carter Perry made two free throws, and a driving lay-up to give LaPorte a 68-67 lead. Merrillville would retake a 69-68 lead, but a Jake Bowers free throw tied the game at 69-69. Then as
Merrillville played for the last shot, Josh Fleming knocked the ball loose, Zack Kiger picked it up, fired the ball down court to a streaking Fleming. Fleming's lay-up with even seconds left gave LaPorte a thrilling 71-69 overtime win, sweeping the Pirates for
the first time since 2003-2004. Fleming led LaPorte with 25 points, while Austin Alcorn added 20. B.J. Jenkins had 25 for Merrillville, while Jake Raspopovich scored 17.
On Saturday, 3-A #15 Plymouth came to Slicer Gym. LaPorte got another big game from Josh Fleming, as the Slicers improved their record to 6-6 with a 59-45 win. Austin Alcorn added 12 and Carter Perry scored 10 for the Slicers.
It was also a good week for the 4-A #9 Lake Central Indians. Despite playing without Tyler Wideman and Alex Ratic, Lake Central had no problems with Highland on Tuesday, winning 80-51. Highland was without 4 players, including leading scorers Jordan Minch and Brandon Reyes. Glenn Robinson Jr. led the Indians with 26 points.
On Friday night Crown Point traveled to St. John. The game was tied at 20-20 in the second quarter and apparently, the Crown Point cheering section had never heard the saying,"Let sleeping Big Dogs lie."
Because they started to heckle Glenn Robinson Jr. Big mistake. Robinson scored the next 12 points, leading the Indians on a 14-2 run. Lake Central cruised to a 74-54 victory. Robinson led all scorers with 22, Tye Wilburn and Tyler Wideman each had 11, and
Mike Miklusak chipped in with 10 points.
It also was a good week for the Michigan City Wolves. On Tuesday, they trekked south to Wheatfield, to play Kankakee Valley. Where strange things have happened to visiting teams over the years. But after the first quarter, which the Wolves led 15-11,
thanks to a three pointer by sophomore Richie Mitchell, Michigan City took control. The Wolves outscored the Kougars 29-12 over the second and third quarter, and rolled to a 62-37 win. Ryan Taylor scored a career high 18 points, and Taylor Lavery added 15.
On Friday the Wolves hosted Chesterton. Michigan City started fast, leading 21-11 after one quarter. The Wolves shot a sizzling 60% for the game, including 8-16 from behind the arc. Nine players scored for Michigan City in their 70-52 win. Ryan Taylor led
the Wolves with 15, while Lawrence Davis and Thomas Carlock each added 10. KeMonte Price led Chesterton with 12 points.
On Wednesday Chesterton outlasted Hobart 76-73 in double overtime, despite playing without center Matt Holba, due to a swollen knee. Donnie Johnson led four Trojans in double figures with 20,Cole Teal had 13, K.J. Zelenika scored 12, and Core Rusbold added 11.
The Valparaiso Vikings won their two games this week also. On Friday the Vikings went to Portage, and the Indians, thinking upset, jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Then Valparaiso put the clamps on defensively, forcing seven straight Portage turnovers, which
the Vikings turned into 12 straight points. Portage would be held to 34% shooting 10-27, while committing 20 turnovers in a 62-32 loss. John Mosser led the Vikings with 11 points and Quentin Palmer had a career high 10 points. The Vikings played without
Andrew Kittridge(flu) and Brody Wilson(knee).
On Saturday, it was the Vikings turn to go to Kankakee Valley and Brody Wilson, after missing the Portage game was ready.
Wilson scored 16 first half points, single handedly outscoring the Kougars as Valparaiso led 29-14. The Vikings at one point in the game held Kankakee Valley without a field goal for over eight minutes.Ten Vikings scored, as Valpo would lead by as many as
25, before winning 56-39. Wilson's 16 would lead Valparaiso.
The other Porter County team that went south on Saturday, did not fare as well. Portage went to Boone Grove and suffered their 12th straight loss 53-38. Jordan Callazo and David Jercha each scored 11 for the Indians.
KEY GAMES THIS WEEK
Tues Jan 17
Chesterton at Andrean
Michigan City at Munster.
Fri Jan 20
Crown Point @ Michigan City - Girls - VARCOM GAME OF THE WEEK
Michigan City at Crown Point
LaPorte at Valparaiso
Chesterton at Portage
Sat Jan 21
Lake Central at Merrillville
Notes....
I hate to post news like this, but felt I should. Longtime Valparaiso Viking broadcaster Dick Harlan passed away Friday. Dick started broadcasting in Mt. Carmel, Illinois in 1971, and was the "Voice Of The Vikings" since 1994. Dick was a true professional and will be sorely missed. Harlan was 65.
A memorial service/visitation will be from on Saturday Jan 21 from 3-5 at Moeller Funeral Home in Valparaiso, with a small service starting at 5 pm. Donations may be made on his behalf to the American Cancer Society, Riley Children's Hospital or Valparaiso Hospice Center.
