VALPARAISO — It was a big one for Crown Point.
The Bulldogs last beat Valparaiso in 2017, the same year they last won the Duneland Athletic Conference. They last won in the Porter County hub in 2012.
The significance of Friday’s 58-55 win over the Vikings that clinched at least a share of the conference crown wasn’t lost on coach Clint Swan after the game.
“We take a lot of pride in being from the Region. We take a lot of pride in being in the DAC where you’re just constantly fighting for turf against teams like (Valparaiso),” Swan said. “This is a great win for us. It’s special.”
Crown Point (14-4, 5-1) will host Lake Central for its final DAC game next Friday.
“We didn’t win in this gym since 2012 so it meant a lot to Coach Swan and it meant a lot to us,” sophomore Dikembe Shaw said.
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Shaw had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the effort. He helped seal the win by hitting six free throws in the fourth quarter. He also grabbed two key rebounds in the final minutes.
Swan said those are plays that Shaw probably couldn’t make a year ago.
“I think mentally, I matured a lot more,” Shaw said. “I’m an extremely better player now. My confidence is through the roof.”
CP jumped out in front, with Shaw scoring the game’s first four points. Jack Svetich added five quick points and the Bulldogs led by a bucket after a frame.
Jack Smiley and the Vikings (16-5, 3-2) got on track in the second. He poured in nine points before halftime to bring his total to 13 and Valparaiso built a lead as big as eight. It was 28-25 at the break.
Smiley finished with 28 points, almost willing his team back in the second half. His 3-point attempt in the final seconds would've tied the game but it didn't fall.
“He’s awesome. I’m out of superlatives for that guy,” Swan said. “I don’t know why he’s not getting more attention from more Division I coaches. He’s a great player.”
The lead changed eight times in the second half. Crown Point didn’t grab it for good until a Shaw putback with just over a minute to play.
“We punched and they punched back. They punched us two or three times and we still came back,” Swan said. “We kept waiting for guys to fold and they just didn’t. It’s tough to win games like that on the road. It’s really hard to beat Valpo in games like that.”
The Bulldogs have been the most consistent team in a chaotic DAC this season. Their only loss was to Merrillville, which lost to Valparaiso by 17. Lake Central started 3-0 in the conference but lost the last two to Portage and Chesterton.
“I think we’re underrated. I think we’re extremely underrated,” Shaw said. “We’ve had great wins but I still think people underestimate us. Hopefully, we opened their eyes to the fact that we’re a good team.”
Jack Svetich led the Bulldogs with 18 points. Caden Crowell had 12 for the Vikings.