High School Spotlight: Valparaiso Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The High School Spotlight Series is back and we are excited to feature multiple teams throughout the state once again! The season is still a few months away, but it is never too early to look ahead at the high school season. We will be taking a look at some quick hitters, the top player(s), a potential breakout player, other roster members, and more for the upcoming season. For today's spotlight, we take a look at the Valparaiso Vikings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quick Hitters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Went 14-12 last season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lost to Chesterton in Sectionals. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Head Coach Ben Lieske starts his 4th year as head coach. He is 43-34 as a head coach.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the favorites to win Sectional 2. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2470670' first='Maddux' last='Wagner']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/levi-lindeman/"></a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few teams in the state are expected to have a big turnaround from last year to this season, and one of those teams that you can predict to do that is the Valparaiso Vikings. A big reason for that is the return of senior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2470670' first='Maddux' last='Wagner']. Wagner is a 6'8" power forward who can flat-out take over a game due to everything he can do on the floor. He is a versatile player who can stretch the floor and is always looking to finish above the rim. He will be a game-changer for the Vikings once again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Breakout Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2409537' first='Jesaias' last='Jankowski'] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/royce-bridgewaters/"></a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have a legit option in both the frontcourt and backcourt this season. The frontcourt is all Wagner, and when it comes to the backcourt, their top guy is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2409537' first='Jesaias' last='Jankowski']. Very impressive both on and off the ball, Jankowski is known as a knockdown shooter but also has the skills to make plays with the ball in his hands. He very well could be in for a big-time breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Key Roster Members</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nikola Kyres</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nas White </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2864856' first='Brayden' last='Waters'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2409534' first='Donnie' last='Clark'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2125696' first='Malachi' last='Ransom'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3575576' first='Adrian' last='Williams'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry Durnell </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden Hager </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MJ Shouse </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dezhon Knight</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->