In one of the most anticipated games of the year, Valpo headed across Campbell Street to take on the Chesterton Trojans in their last DAC matchup of the regular season. Jack Smiley and company took on two Junior All-Stars, Tyler Parrish and Justin Sims, on Friday night. 

 

The Vikings got into foul trouble early in the first; with five minutes left, they had already committed five fouls, allowing the Trojans to shoot two free throws for every foul moving forward. The entire quarter was action-packed, with both teams trading buckets. Jack Smiley scored nine points in the first quarter, and the Vikings finished with 13 points total, tied with Chesterton going into the second.

 

Caden Crowell started the second quarter off hot with seven points. The Vikings sat in a 2-3 zone for most of the quarter, forcing the Trojans to go on a three-minute scoring drought. They were stuck at 21 points until about a minute left when Tyler Parrish hit a three. Valpo kept growing their lead and eventually held as much as an eight-point lead. Going into halftime, the Vikings held the lead over the Trojans, 30-24. 

 

Valpo got themselves into even more foul trouble in the second half. Committing five fouls again within the first three minutes. The Trojans were able to fight back and eventually tie up the game with two minutes remaining in the quarter. Both teams kept fighting back and forth; Valpo had the lead, 42-39, headed into the fourth. 

 

Valpo’s senior guard, Jaden Adams, took control of the game in the final quarter, scoring all of his ten points in the fourth. Coming off the bench, he had a spark that motivated the whole team and changed the energy in the gym. The Vikings stayed up around four points for most of the quarter, and a three by Caden Crowell increased the lead, 55-47, and gave momentum back into Valpo’s hands. With a minute left, Trent Kimes was fouled and went 1/2 at the line, increasing the Vikings lead to four. After two free throws hit by Adams, Chesterton went down the floor and hit a three, 50-47, with Valpo still holding onto the lead. A layup by Amones and a miss from the Trojans ended the game, giving the Vikings the win 63-57. 

 

Jack Smiley led the attack with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Caden Crowell was right behind him with 16 points on 75% shooting. KJ Avery and Jaden Adams added 10 points each. This wraps up the DAC games for this season. Valpo will travel to Hammond Central next Friday for their last game of the season.