Could This be a Valpo Three-Peat?

Pettigrew & Chaney are Making a Run

(St. Louis, MO) – Valparaiso has claimed the last two Missouri Valley Conference ‘Freshman of the Year’ awards and the play of JT Pettigrew and Rakim Chaney could mean a Valpo three-peat. Chaney has earned two MVC ‘Freshman of the Week’ awards and Pettigrew is the Valley’s third highest scoring freshman and its leading rookie rebounder.

Cooper Schwieger earned the 2024 award and All Wright claimed last year’s crown.

Pettigrew’s game keeps expanding. The 6’8 forward is logging more minutes and scoring more consistently as the season progresses. During the last five games he has participated in over thirty minutes per game and is averaging seventeen points.

The two Chicago-land freshmen are playing huge roles on Roger Powell Jr’s team. Pettigrew is second on the team in scoring (11.7) and in rebounding (6.1) and Chaney is third in scoring (10.3) and runs the point. Chaney hands out nearly three assists per game. They play more minutes than any other Beacon (8-10, 2-5) player.

Pettigrew joined our podcast on Friday. We discussed the team, his performances, the coaching staff and his wildy athletic family. We hope you enjoy our conversation with JT Pettigrew, who with Rakim Chaney are creating two chances for a Valpo three-peat.

Watch Our Entire Interview

Head to Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts for an audio-only version.

 

 

Chaney and Pettigrew are part of a massive influx of Missouri Valley Conference players from the Chicago-land area. Pettigrew says practically every team has players he knows or played against in high school. There are eight Beacons with ties to the Windy City.

Virtually every Valley team has at least one player from the Chicago area and most are playing in important roles.

The opportunity for a Valpo three-peat will depend on the back half of the season. Saturday the Beacons host Northern Iowa (12-6, 4-3).

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of JT Pettigrew, courtesy of Valpoathletics.com.