Stiles’ big 4th quarter leads Valley past Culver Academy

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

AKRON — Corinna Stiles scored 11 points, and Kaydence Mellott added 10 for the host Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team in a 42-33 win over sectional rival Culver Academy at Rita Price Simpson Court on Nov. 8.

Held to two points through the first three quarters, Stiles outscored the entire Culver Academy team 9-6 in the fourth quarter. Her putback basket off a Mellott missed free throw with 3:06 left put Valley ahead for good at 33-32 and triggered a game-ending 11-1 run.

“It feels great,” Stiles said. “I think we came out and we were a little underestimating them. They were a lot stronger than we thought, a lot more physical. So I think once we figured that out and got down to what we needed to do, it was great.”

Moriarty hit a 3-pointer on Valley’s next possession to extend the lead to four.

“I think the difference for us was in that last three or four minutes of the game when we were able to continue to put pressure and turn them over and hit a few free throws here and there,” Valley coach Chris Kindig said. “It was a good win for these girls, but CGA, they’re going to be tough down the road.”

The game was tied 20-20 at halftime.

Mellott scored all four Valley points in the third quarter.

Valencia Miller and Dionna Craig scored 13 points apiece to lead the Lady Eagles (3-1).

Valley started the 2021-22 season on a four-game losing streak, including a loss to Culver Academy.

They are 3-0 so far this year.

“This year, we are a little bit more aware of each other,” Stiles said. “Last year, we lost Sidney Wagner, so we were trying to fill that spot. We felt a lot of pressure as all juniors coming up. Now I think we’re a little more confident and a lot tougher.”

Valley also put four players in double figures in winning the JV game 54-22. Lydia Craig scored 12, Gabby Gonzalez had 11, and Carlee Snyder and Millie Scorsone had 10 each.

Valley 42, Culver Academy 33

CULVER ACADEMY (33) (3-1)

Valencia Miller 5 2-4 13, Dionna Craig 5 1-4 13, Orendain 1 0-1 2, Lena Spiller 0 0-0 0, Reid Seddelmeyer 0 0-0 0, Brighton Bird 2 1-2 5, Jenna Kerr 0 0-0 0

TEAM: 13 4-11 33

VALLEY (42) (3-0)

Kaydence Mellott 3 3-8 10, Molly Moriarty 3 1-6 8, Macy Petersen 2 0-0 4, Corinna Stiles 2 7-7 11, Kelsey Cox 2 0-0 4, Lily Ault 1 2-2 5, Chesnee Miller 0 0-0 0

TEAM: 13 13-23 42

Three-point field goals:

Culver Academy 3 (Craig 2, Miller),

Valley 3 (Ault, Mellott, Moriarty)

Total fouls: Culver Academy 21, Valley 13

Score by quarters

Culver Academy 7 13 7 6 – 33

Valley 11 9 4 18 – 42