Valparaiso High School fell late in their Sectional Championship to Merrillville 50-47 after the Pirates’ Jeremiah Jones hit a deep three with 3.5 seconds left on the clock to seal the game.
The Vikings were led by senior Brad Karp’s 20 points, 17 of which game in the second half. Karp put the Vikings on his back, but came up just short in a great game.
Karp made two free throws with 43 seconds left on the clock to tie the game at 47. Merrillville held the ball, calling a timeout with 8.3 seconds to go. That’s when Jones hit the deep three to put Merrillville ahead for good.
The Vikings got nine points from Jerrick Suiter, seven from Andy Martin, and six from Adam Butterfield, who was forced to sit for a large portion of the game due to foul trouble.
It was a great season for the Vikings, and good luck to seniors Mark Hofferth, Brad Karp, Andrew Martin, Derek Kennett, and Rick Freeman.
Photos from the game can be viewed by clicking here.