Today, we are blog-casting (I just made that up) from the track surrounding the Michigan City High School Gymnasium. The state's #8 Valpo Vikings are playing EMHS is the first round of the Michigan City Regional. The crowd is pretty divided into red and green. Apparently Munster defeated Mishawaka in the early game this morning. So the winner of this game will play Munster at 7:30 tonight CT.
1st Half
11:45 - Valpo wins the tip off. Valpo's defense this year has really been stellar, and the refs not calling so far sets the tone that they will let the kids play today.
11:47 - Brad Karp with a blow-by on a fast break, 2-0 Valpo
11:51 - Valpo starts running their 3-2 full court press and forces an Elkhart Memorial turnover. On the way down back down, the ref makes a terrible traveling call on Valpo leads to #52 bucket. 7-4 EMHS
End of 1st Quarter - 11-10 EMHS
11:58 - Anderson hits another three pointer for EMHS, Elkhart takes the lead, 14-10.
12:03 - Valpo unveils a 3-2 Zone, but Anderson hits another 3. 19-12 EMHS. Anderson is obviously the Chargers' best player.
12:04 - Anderson hits another 3. The ball just doesn't want to drop for Valpo tonight, as they miss another layup.
12:07 - Karp drives the lane and hits a layup, ending a Valpo scoring draught. Valpo responds to an EMHS missed jumper, but they can't seem to make a three.
12:09 - 5.7 seconds left in the second quarter and EMHS turns the ball over with less than three seconds left, but Humes misses a three to end the half.
1st Half Recap:
I don't have a stat sheet in front of me, but I can tell you turnovers are what is killing Valpo is the 1st half. There have been a lot of traveling calls, some warrented, some not. Also, Valpo has been shooting the three all day and not taking the ball to the basket. The good news is that Valpo has not played anywhere near their best basketball, and they are still in the game.
2nd Half
12:33 - After some technical difficulties, we rejoin you with EMHS 34, Valpo 30. Valpo almost drilled a 4/5 court shot as time expired to end the third.
12:38 - Valpo gets the ball to start the fourth quarter, but another turnover caused by a EMHS half court trap leads to a couple of EMHS free throws.
12:38 - Jerrick Suiter drops down low, picks up a rebound and plows his way up to the basket for two. 36-32 EMHS.
12:39 - Anderson misses a three and tries to fall as he is boxed out. You need to apply for your actor's guild card before we can give him any trophies.
12:40 - Suiter plows up again and gets fouled, leading to a couple of free throws for the Vikings. It seems as though Valpo is changing their strategy from "Shoot Threes" to "Pound It Down Low". Good in game adjustment because EMHS' big men are in foul trouble.
12:43 - Humes drives for another Valpo layup, bringing Valpo within two. Valpo has been down pretty much the whole game, but they really could pull off a comeback with 5:00 to go.
12:46 - Humes takes another shot down low, causing another EMHS foul. He makes both free throws, bringing the game to a tie with 3:46 to go. EMHS is forced to call a timeout. Both crowds are really into it (Valpo more, at the time), making it a great atmosphere for a high school basketball game in March.
12:49 - Valpo tries to respond to a three point play by shooting an open three from the wing, but to no avail. On the other end, Anderson misses another three, and does the falling-down act. Once? Ok. Twice? Getting annoying. Three times? Its a trend.
12:50 - Valpo (40) nails a three! Tie game. A loose ball brings up the physicality of the game, as Valpo forces a EMHS foul. 1-and-1, #10 makes both free throws. Gotta love that Valpo Free Throw Method. 41-39 Valpo takes the lead for the first time since early in the first.
12:52 - A missed three and a personal foul bring the game back to the free throw line. #52 has fouled out, and he is EMHS' only real big man available. Valpo makes both free throws of the 1 and 1, 43-39 Valpo.
12:53 - #10 EMHS banks in a three (are you kidding me?), bringing the score to 43-42. Valpo calls a timeout.
12:55 - 44-43 EMHS after a couple of questionable calls in a "deflection off Valpo" and a touch foul 30 feet away from the basket.
12:57 - Valpo gets the ball down to Humes, who gets a no-call foul, and EMHS calls a timeout. Valpo will probably foul here, making EMHS shoot free throws. 19.5 seconds left on the clock.
12:58 - Valpo (#20) is forced to foul, leading to a couple of made free throws by EMHS. 46-43, Valpo calls a timeout with 5.6 seconds left on the clock.
1:00 - With a little time left in the quarter, Valpo leans into a last second three but it missed, ending the Vikings season. Elkhart Memorial will go on to play the Munster Mustangs later on tonight.
Game Wrap Up: It was a great atmosphere for a great game that just didn't fall Valpo's way. I am not too sure about the consistentcy of the referee's calls today, but there's really nothing to do about it. A sectional title is something to be proud of.