Valparaiso’s Blaine Dalton didn’t quite know how to process the attention.
He almost seemed embarrassed by the praise.
But the senior guard earned it.
Dalton scored 17 points Tuesday night in the Vikings’ 71-55 win against visiting 21st Century, which is ranked No. 2 in Class A in the poll by The Associated Press.
He entered the game with 20 points all season for the Vikings (6-0), who are ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, and he scored eight points last season.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this, to start varsity and show everybody what I have,” Dalton said.
“It’s not more of what I’ve done. It’s more of what the people around me have done — coaches, teammates, family. They put me in the right positions, give me the right opportunities.”
With Dalton choosing the path of humility, Valparaiso coach Barak Coolman interjected.
“Blaine has always been one of the toughest, hardest workers I’ve had in my program,” Coolman said. “We’ve had some pretty good guys, but he falls at that level.
“He said he waited his turn, but he actually worked for his turn. Unfortunately, he was backing up some pretty good guys last year. But he didn’t waver, and he just kept doing what he had to do to keep getting better and better. So when it was his time and the lights came on, he was ready. He’s going to have a great senior year for us.”
Dalton also played football during his sophomore and junior years. But he didn’t play the sport this past season.
“Football wasn’t really for me,” Dalton said. “I’ve always had a love for basketball, always had a soft spot in my heart. I knew it was what I wanted to focus on.”
Coolman saw the scenario unfold.
“Two years ago, Blaine really committed to becoming a basketball player,” Coolman said. “This offseason he just devoted all his time and energy to improving his skill level — because he had the toughness, he had the heart, he had the physical ability. But his skill level was behind. But he really committed to it and worked really hard, from 6 a.m. workouts to being in the gym every time we’re here and doing the stuff on his own. It’s paying off.”
Junior forward Mason Jones — who had 19 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against the Cougars (3-1) despite sitting the final 6:17 of the second quarter with two fouls — said he appreciates Dalton’s efforts.
“Not only is he one of the hardest workers in the gym, but his mentality’s one of the best too,” Jones said. “He’s going to get after it every time he steps on the court. He’s a great teammate. I’m thankful to have him.”
Dalton hit two free throws with one second left to give Valparaiso a 31-24 halftime lead and then scored seven straight points, including a 3-pointer, to make it 40-26 with 6:11 left in the third quarter.
After a dunk by DJ Moss drew the Cougars to 45-40 with 1:49 left in the third, Dalton scored with 11 seconds remaining, giving him nine points in the quarter and the Vikings a 52-41 advantage.
“He does all the little things,” Coolman said. “Scoring was a great plus for him, and he’s a great scorer. But he’s willing to do whatever the team needs. He’s just a winner. When you’re a winner, you do whatever the team needs, and (Tuesday) we needed him to score a little bit. But he’s going to guard the best player on the other team. He’s going to defend. He’s going to run. He’s going to play hard.”
Moss paced the Cougars with 16 points, and Ashton Williamson had 11.
“They have 4A talent,” Coolman said. “Like I told their coach (Larry Upshaw), ‘Go win a state title,’ because they’re going to compete at that level.
“For us to be able to play against that caliber that can kind of expose us in some areas and push us, it’s a great game. It’s a win-win for both of us.”
