Tippecanoe Valley senior Cara Hoffman, shown earlier this season, led the Vikings to a big 70-51 win over Whitko Saturday night.

AKRON – The Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team was in need of a big Three Rivers Conference win Saturday night.

Senior Cara Hoffman made sure that the Vikings got just what they needed too.

The stellar guard led the way as the hosts topped Whitko 70-51 in a key league clash.

Hoffman, who led the Vikings in scoring last season in earning All-TRC honors, poured in a game-high 23 points. The backcourt ace hit 7-15 free throws and drained a pair of 3-pointers to pace coach Chris Kindig’s squad.

Valley won its third straight contest to improve to 6-4 overall. The Vikings, who lost four in a row prior to their current winning streak, are now 2-1 in TRC play. Valley lost a 56-44 final to TRC foe Wabash.

The Vikings used a strong start Saturday night to take command. The hosts raced to a 16-8 lead after the first quarter and built their advantage to 37-23 by intermission against the young Wildcats.

The duo of freshman Anne Secrest and junior Caylie Teel both turned in strong performances for the Vikings. Secrest netted 14 points and Teel added 12 for the winners, who finished 7-13 overall and 3-4 in league play last season.

Aly Reiff tossed in 18 points to pace the Wildcats. Jennifer Reiff scored 13 points and Brianna Cumberland had 11 for Whitko.

The Wildcats, who had their three game winning streak snapped, are also now 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the TRC.

Valley hosts North Judson Monday night. Whitko plays North Miami Dec. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Miami County Tournament at Maconaquah High School.