High School Spotlight: Valparaiso Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is still a few months away but with team workouts starting to take place, it is the perfect time to start previewing the season. In this series, we will be a look at some quick hitters, the top player, potential breakout player, other roster roster members and notable games of the upcoming season. For today's spotlight, we take a look at the High School Spotlight: Valparaiso Vikings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Hitters</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Finished 13-14 last season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lost to Chesterton in Sectionals </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ben Lieske was hired as head coach in the offseason</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1297042' first='Jack' last='Smiley'] </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smiley is a 6'2 lefty guard that knows how to stroke it from deep. As a player that seen in a rise in the in-state 2025 class, Smiley has become one of the top overall guards in the state in many people's eyes. Over the summer, he was much more aggressive on the offensive end showing his ability to create his own shot from the perimeter and attack the basket hard. The main thing that comes with Smiley is consistent play so if he is able to smooth that out, it would help him even more in the long run. But as far as potential, he is a D1 level guy. Expected to be the best player for the Vikings this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Breakout Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1158959' first='Alec' last='Platipodis']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'8 [player_tooltip player_id='1158959' first='Alec' last='Platipodis'] is a such a great big man complement to what Smiley brings not he floor. Along with a lanky, athletic size, he is a physical big that rim runs, good on the roll, and can protect the rim defensively. He is still a raw prospect in many ways, but has a lot of potential with more work. Showed signs of breaking out over the summer and could finalize that breakout in his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Important Roster Members:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1158232' first='Matt' last='Hofer']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1158744' first='Michael' last='Ridley'] </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561090' first='KJ' last='Avery']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Games (Confirmed)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Gary West (12/22)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs East Chicago Central (12/1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs Kankakee Valley (12/9)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Homestead Tournament (12/27)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Portage (1/5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Chesterton (2/16)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->