VIKING ENERGY
‘Get going.’ That’s the message for Valparaiso’s Michael Flynn, and he does it against Crown Point as he and teammate Mason Jones lead the rout.
A starter earlier in the season, Valparaiso’s Michael Flynn came off the bench Friday night.
The senior guard/forward still made a significant impact in the Duneland Athletic Conference game against Crown Point.
“Coach (Barak) Coolman and my teammates have been telling me that I need to keep being confident in myself and attacking the basket to get going . ... When I get going and my teammates know I’m getting going, they keep getting me the ball,” he said.
Flynn scored seven of his 12 points in the first quarter as the Vikings took control early in a 72-42 win against the visiting Bulldogs.
Coolman has seen such flashes from Flynn in practices and games.
“He’s a great young man,” Coolman said. “He’s very humble. His teammates sometimes believe in him more than he does himself. But we know what he’s capable of doing. He’s continued to find his niche, find his role. He’s willing to do whatever we ask him to do.
“We’re bringing him off the bench because we feel that’s better for him and it helps the team. Being able to bring that firepower off the bench is a huge asset for us.”
Flynn scored seven points in less than two minutes against Crown Point (14-5, 4-2) as Valparaiso (18-3, 6-0) scored the final 13 points in four minutes in the first quarter. That run gave the Vikings a 20-5 lead as their defense set the tone.
“We really just brought out the energy right away,” Flynn said. “That was our goal. We wanted to land the first punch. We were well-prepared to do that.
“I just like to do whatever’s best for the team. I love to win. I love playing with my teammates.”
Flynn also has expanded his leadership role this season. He gained most of his previous varsity experience late last season.
“He’s continuing to find his groove,” Coolman said. “His teammates believe in him, and he’s starting to make some strides. He’s starting to peak at the right time also.
“He’s really smart. Sometimes
he overanalyzes. But when he lets go and plays and he’s feeling it, we know he’s a capable shooter, and he’s pretty crafty. It’s just coming into his own.”
Junior forward Mason Jones led Valparaiso with 24 points and 11 rebounds and added four assists. Freshman guard Jack Smiley had 11 points, and senior guard Blaine Dalton added 10.
Jones has continued to impress.
“He’s playing hard,” Coolman said. “He’s practicing hard. He’s probably the guy I ride the hardest on the team, and he’s responded. He’s starting to clean some stuff up, and it’s been fun to watch.
“He obviously has all the tools. He’s learning to play with that poise and pace to handle everything that’s been thrown at him.”
Junior guard AJ Lux topped Crown Point with 14 points, and senior point guard Drew Adzia had 13.
Valparaiso has won six
straight games in the series, including a sectional game last season, with Crown Point last winning in 2017.
“They did a great job on both ends of the floor,” Bulldogs coach Clint Swan said of the Vikings. “They hit some shots early, and they got back and matched up on our shooters. I did feel like we got some good looks, but they just didn’t go in.
“We were thoroughly dominated in every facet of the game. … Just a great effort on their part and not so great on ours.”
The win by Valparaiso, ranked No. 7 in the Class 4A state poll by Associated Press and No. 10 in the all-classes coaches poll, sets up a conference title game next Friday at top-ranked Chesterton (19-0, 6-0).
“It just shows how hard we’ve been working,” Flynn said. “Crown Point’s a great team. They’re really well-coached. They have some great players. We’re really just working hard in practice and trying to get as well-prepared as we can for sectionals and further on hopefully.”