Basketball Seniors Honored
Kalin, Reese, Lindsie & Rylie King, Photos courtesy of Joe Prax
VHS Basketball had their Senior Night on Friday at the last home games of the season. Reese and Rylie King are the only seniors on the VHS Girls team and Aiden McAtee is the lone senior on the VHS Boys Basketball team.
Ann Norris Honored
VHS National Honor Society School Pride Project
Courtesy of VHS Staff – The VHS National Honor Society students were recognized at Friday night’s basketball game for their chapter service project. Last year the students decided that they wanted their annual service project to be something tangible that would improve school spirit and last for many years to come. After much deliberation, they chose to upgrade the “Crow’s Nest” (nickname for the press box where games are filmed).
They planned, fundraised… and then came COVID. This year the new group of NHS students continued the project and learned about a few more things, including procedures and permissions. Our artist had graduated, so they ended up commissioning the art (Mr. Tyler “CT” Thompson) and wood shop (Mr. Adam Sharrai) teachers to paint the trompe l’oeil ropes, wood & mast and create the wooden plaques. With that, they learned a lot about the value of time and talent and the importance of clearly explaining projects and what they were envisioning. The students saved money by prepping the box for painting and they all have a MUCH better understanding of all the hard work that goes into a project like this. Special thanks to the community members who donated to the project and to South Central Hardware for a discount on the supplies.
2019-2020 NHS students:
Maison Anderson, Sara Bauman, Jillian Fleming, Jalen Freeman, Anna Price
2020-2021 NHS students:
Jaelynn Adams, Liliana Alfaro, Joshua Baczuk, Hayden Howard, Reese King, Rylie King, Anna Price, Ambrosia Woodgate, Clay Woodgate
Nordic Ski
Varsity Girls Basketball
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – This past weekend the Varsity girls basketball team was prepared to take on the Eielson Ravens for Aurora Conference play. Unfortunately, the Ravens were required to go undergo quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, and were unable to travel. Where last week the girls split into two teams and scrimmaged each other, this week a local group of former Buccaneers and other supporters graciously combined to offer the girls a chance to play.
The opportunity to play one last time on their home court in front of a crowd was greatly appreciated by seniors and sisters Rylie and Reese King. Both have contributed immensely to the program over their last four years of participation We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the women in town who made this possible.
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Buccaneers look forward to their remaining competitions beginning this week when they visit Delta for more Aurora conference play.
Varsity Boys Basketball
VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [February 19th and 20th]
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Buccaneers finished their 2020-2021 home games by winning a pair of Aurora Conference games versus the Eielson Ravens. The wins came in dominant fashion, as the Bucs never trailed in either contest over the weekend.
Friday, February 19th: Valdez 65, Eielson 17
Friday night was Senior night, during which time the Bucs recognized Aidan McAtee (their lone Senior) before the start of the game. During the game, McAtee ensured he did not go unnoticed- leaving his mark by putting together a robust stat line of 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a charge taken.
The Buccaneers entered the weekend with 11 healthy players, allowing them to debut an up- tempo offense and half-court pressure defense. The results were immediately evident, as the Bucs took an 18-7 first quarter lead that quickly ballooned to a 41-12 halftime advantage. The foot stayed on the gas throughout the third quarter, where the Bucs outscored the Ravens 20-2 – establishing a 61-14 edge. The running clock in the fourth quarter saw only 7 total points scored as the Bucs secured their most impressive victory of the season.
As a team, the Bucs forced 27 turnovers – turning them into 30 points- while dishing out 19 assists and committing a palatable 12 turnovers of their own. The defensive pressure directly led to 17 points in transition. Additionally, the Bucs shot a scintillating 50% (7/14) from beyond the arc and did not allow the Ravens to score in double digits during any stanza.
Eight rostered players scored in the contest, and all eleven players positively contributed in a statistical category. Bryce Tucker led the Bucs in scoring (14 points), followed by McAtee (13) and Payton Gage (10). Gage also drew an offensive foul.
Saturday, February 20th: Valdez 67, Eielson 34
Saturday’s contest saw much the same game plan and results, although the Bucs were not as efficient from long-range (going 4-for-18). The Bucs instead relied more heavily on a dominant interior presence, scoring 46 points in the paint while also outrebounding Eielson 38-25.
The Bucs led 14-4 after one quarter of action, and 31-15 at the intermission. Continuing the theme of “winning every quarter”, the Bucs won the 3rd 18-10 and the 4th 18-9 en route to a convincing 67-34 victory.
The Bucs again shared the basketball (15 assists) and took care of it well (11 turnovers). Dennis Mott was often the recipient of the extra pass, cashing in for 13 points. Hunter Mathews scored 12, while Aiden McAtee chipped in 10. Dillon Fowler led the Bucs in rebounding, snatching 8 boards.
Notes:
The Buccaneers next travel to Delta to take on the Huskies February 26th and 27th in a crucial Aurora Conference matchup.
JV Boys Basketball
JV Boys Vs. Glennallen
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – This weekend the Junior Varsity Bucs faced their toughest games of the year in a great Glennallen team. Friday night Valdez got into foul trouble early and were not able to overcome Glennallen’s lead. The high scorers for Valdez were Theron Deisenroth and Gavin Morris with 7 and 11 respectively.
Saturday morning Valdez came ready to play. Turnovers and early foul trouble had Glennallen take an early lead again, and by halftime the Bucs were down by 9 points. An even third quarter had Valdez gaining momentum. Glennallen lead by as many as 11 nearly halfway through the fourth quarter. The final 5 minutes had Valdez playing their most inspired basketball of the season as they rallied back and managed to take the lead with less than a minute left. With no option left but to foul, Glennallen sent Zach Rissman to the line and he was able to convert both free throws essentially sealing the first win of the season for the Bucs. The highlight of the game was the happiness and excitement the players and fans experienced in the matinee thriller. Some are even calling it the game of the year. Valdez saw 7 players enter the scoring column in a balanced attack, again lead by Morris and Deisenroth with 12 and 13 respectively.
Next weekend The Bucs look to keep improving with road games against Delta.