Nordic Skiing
Valdez High School Nordic Ski Team
ASAA State Competition 2022
Buccaneer Ski Team
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – 8 Valdez High School Nordic Skiers competed in the 2021-2022 ASAA State Nordic Ski Competition last weekend at Birch Hill Ski Trails in Fairbanks. Elaina Hanson and Grace Rodgers skied for the Bucs in the individual girl’s races. While the 6 Buccaneer boys who were scored as a team for the state competition were William Benes, Blake Morrison, Cole Wadsworth, Rafe Carathurs, Barrett McCumby, and Blake Roosma. Teams from schools throughout the state brought their six best male and female skiers to compete in the 3-day event on the notoriously difficult Birch Hill ski trails.
Captain William Benes with the Buccaneer Flag
Day one of the three-day competition started off with an individual skate technique race. The girls were up first racing a challenging 5k course. Team Captain Elaina Hanson lead the way after the first race placing 12 out of the Division 2 schools. Grace Rodgers took on her first state competition racing in a very tough group of the 93 best high school skiers in the state finishing the difficult skate race with a personal best 5k skate time for the season.
Captain William Benes with the Buccaneer Flag
The boys skied second on day one in a 7.5k Skate technique. This interval start race fielded 109 skiers. The Buccaneer boys skied a great first day against tough competition. Sophomore Rafe Caruthers lead the boy’s team with an impressive personal best time of 28:15. Senior Captain duo of William Benes and Blake Morrison both made four-minute improvements on their 7.5k skate time from last year’s race on the same trails in Fairbanks. Blake Roosma, skiing in the first state competition of his high school career also had a stand-out race placing 4th on the Buccaneer team and setting himself a new personal best time as well.
Barrett McCumby
Day two of racing featured the always unpredictable mass start. The boys were up first with all 109 racers taking off at the same time in a difficult 10k classic technique race. Two 5k laps allowed the skiers to pace themselves and gave them the confidence to give it their all on lap two. Shortly after the start, there was a chaotic tangle of skis, poles, and bodies that spanned the entire width of the trail as athletes raced for the best position in the tracks. The
Buccaneer boys did their best to make their way through the chaos. Rafe Caruthers and Barrett McCumby were able to keep their composure and found a gap through the tangled mess of skiers and got ahead of the pack giving them an advantage right from the start. However, it didn’t take long for the trail to clear and the rest of the Buccaneer team was not far behind. The boys stuck to the plan pacing off the skier in front of them and working hard to pass one at a time. The Challenges didn’t end at the start for senior William Benes who broke a ski pole
during his first lap and had to ski over one kilometer with only one pole before a coach could get him a replacement for the rest of the race. Rafe Caruthers performance saw him move up an impressive 24 positions at the end of day two. Barrett McCumby also held onto his lead from the start and left it all on the course to move up 14 places.
Grace Rodgers
The girl’s race followed the boys on day 2 with two Buccaneer girls racing in the 7.5k classic mass start. After the girls watched the chaotic boys mass start, the field of 93 girls took a much more controlled approach to the mass start getting through without incident. Elaina Hanson and Grace Rodgers skied a strong race, pacing off each other throughout the whole race. It was great to see two competitors work together, encourage, and push each other all the way to the finish. Grace Rodgers finished just 1 second ahead of Elaina Hanson with both skiers having good races and leaving it all out on the course in their last race of the state competition.
Captain Elaina Hanson
The final day of the ASAA State Nordic Ski competition was the team relay. This year’s relay was a unique competition with the first two legs of the relay skiing a 5k classic technique and the second two skiing a 5k skate technique race. The Buccaneer boys entered the race with a goal to beat the other Division 2 relay team from our region the Monroe Rams. Just 2 weeks ago the boy’s relay raced against Monroe in our regional competition with Monroe beating our boy’s team by 40 seconds. The Bucs knew that if they skied hard for each other and gave it
their all that they could make up the difference and give the Rams a challenge. In the lead-off position, skiing the first leg in classic technique was Barrett McCumby. Barrett skied a solid race keeping Monroe in sight the whole race and tagging off just 20 seconds behind the first Monroe skier.
Cole Wadsworth
Next up was first-year skier Cole Wadsworth who without a doubt had the hardest leg of the relay going up against the most experienced skier on the Monroe team. Cole used his strength and endurance to keep Valdez in the race skiing his two laps so consistently his two 2.5k splits were a mere 15 seconds apart. Heading into the final two skate technique legs of the relay the Buccaneers were 2:30 behind Monroe but it wasn’t over for the Buccaneers yet because next, skiing leg three for our team, was Rafe Caruthers.
Rafe Caruthers
Rafe took off from the exchange zone with one goal in mind, to go get Monroe. He gave his absolute all for his team with his exceptional technique and endurance he took off and was able to not only close the gap on his first lap but shortly after lap 2 he passed the leg three Monroe skier recording his two 2.5k splits just .7 seconds apart from each other. By the time Rafe tagged off to the anchor leg, William Benes, Valdez held an impressive 1:45 second lead on Monroe. William had to hold onto the lead for his 2 laps knowing that a fast Monroe skier was not far behind. In his last race of his high school ski career, William skied a tremendous race holding on to the lead to the best of his ability and strength. The whole team chased and cheered on William carrying the Buccaneer flag all the way to the finish, crossing the finish line 40 seconds ahead of Monroe! It was great to see after placing 40 seconds behind at regionals, setting a goal, and working together as a team to achieve it.
What a fantastic way to end the season! Way to go Buccaneer Skiers!
William Benes
Blake Roosma
Varsity Boys Basketball
VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [February 23 – 26]
Payton Gage, Photo by Joe Prax
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – Coming off a Valdez Elks Tournament championship game loss to the Houston Hawks on February 12th, the Bucs were anxious to hit the hardcourt and re-establish their winning ways. Mother Nature delayed the opportunity last weekend, setting up a 4-day, 4-game stint this week that pitted the Bucs against the Hutchison Hawks and the Monroe Catholic Rams.
Wednesday, February 23rd: Valdez 70, Hutchison 40
The Bucs first visited Hutchison High School to partake in a rare Wednesday / Thursday Aurora Conference regular season matchup. Both teams entered Wednesday undefeated in the conference.
Initially it appeared as if the Bucs might be in for a close game, as the first quarter saw back- and-forth action that ended in a tight 15-12 lead after a Payton Gage 3-pointer at the buzzer. In the second quarter, however, it seemed as if the effects of an extended bus ride and 30+ miles of washboard roads leading into Fairbanks wore off.
The Bucs defense dug in, forcing 22 turnovers and not allowing the Hawks offense to take flight. Hutchinson attempted a mere 15 two-point field goal attempts in the final three quarters. Conversely, the Bucs poured in 55 points of their own during the same timeframe – winning every quarter en route to a comfortable 70-40 victory.
The Bucs dominance was evident as they outscored the Hawks 42-10 inside the paint. Allen Watson led the Bus with 18 points and 5 assists, followed by Dennis Mott (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Payton Gage (10 points, 5 assists). All 12 rostered players entered the game, with 10 of them contributing in the scoring column.
Thursday, February 24th: Valdez 61, Hutchison 29
A quick review of Wednesday night’s stats revealed that one player had half (20) of the Hawks points. Stated defensive goals for Thursday’s game included shutting down that individual while holding Hutchison to 30 points or less.
The Bucs wasted little time Thursday in establishing a defensive presence and getting on track to achieve their goal, jumping out to an early 17-7 lead after the first quarter. Offensively, the hiccup came in the second quarter when the Bucs offense went a bit stagnant against the Hutchison zone and only registered 5 points for the quarter. The defensive pressure continued, however, and the Hawks were held to 7 points for the quarter- allowing the Bucs to enter the intermission with a 22-14 lead.
A few quick offensive halftime adjustments rectified any issues on that end and catapulted the Bucs to a 39-point second half, while the Buccaneer defense played stout throughout and limited the Hawks to single-digit scoring in each quarter.
All 12 rostered Buccaneers played and contributed statistically, 8 of them in the scoring column. Additionally, the entire team contributed to achieving the aforementioned goals for the game: the Hawks player that scored 20 points the night before was held to 8 points (2 of which came off of free throws after a Valdez technical foul), and Hutchison was held to under 30 points, as the Bucs notched a 61-29 victory.
Scoring for the Buccaneers was evenly spread out, with Bryce Tucker being the only one to register double-figures with 17 points. Dennis Mott netted 8 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Payton Gage and Hunter Mathews chipped in 9 and 8, respectively. Allen Watson successfully drew an offensive foul.
Dennis Mott, Photo by Joe Prax
Friday, February 25th: Valdez 44, Monroe Catholic 58
The Friday night Valdez vs. Monroe matchup marked the first such contest since the Monroe boys program was removed from the Aurora Conference and elevated to the 4A classification. Classifications, however, are of little concern when dealing with programs as intimate with one another as Valdez and Monroe, who have battled it out countless times over the decades. The rivalry is alive, well, and will continue for the foreseeable future.
As is the case with rivalries that have lasted the years, there are certain things you know as an opposing team when walking into Boileau Hall to face the Rams. For instance: the partisan crowd is likely to be engaged throughout the game, the Rams are going to play intense and fight hard, and you will hear “GOOD” bellowed out from the home team sideline – along with an occasional bleacher-rattling footstomp.
Unfortunately for the Buccaneers on Friday, “GOOD” was a near constant refrain from the home team bench in the early going as Monroe jumped out to a commanding 23-9 first quarter lead while shooting 9-of-12 from the field (including 4-of-7 from behind the arc). From that point on the scoring leveled out and the teams played each other even.
The 14-point deficit in the first quarter proved to be too much to overcome, but the Bucs competed throughout. At one point they had trimmed the lead to 10. Mid-way through the third quarter they found themselves down 21. The scintillating shooting by the Rams (22-of-40, including 10 3-pointers) just did not allow the Bucs to close the gap and capture momentum.
Oftentimes when quality teams lose by such a margin it is due, in part, to self-inflicted errors. That was not necessarily the case for the Bucs on Friday. The Bucs shot (and made) more free throws in the game, had more points in the paint, matched the Rams rebounding totals, and had fewer turnovers and more steals than the home team. If there is a positive to losing 58-44, it’s the belief that only minor adjustments were needed and a certain amount of skepticism that the Rams could match their shooting performance the following day.
Payton Gage led the Bucs in scoring with 16, while also snatching 5 rebounds. Dennis Mott poured in 9 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Saturday, February 26th: Valdez 38, Monroe Catholic 36
In order to return to Valdez that same day, the Saturday game was played at 1:30 – a mere 16 hours after the Bucs played on Friday night…and the 4th game in 4 days. The potential was there for the Bucs to enter the game lethargic or without the requisite effort and intensity. But pride and heart trumped tired legs.
From the tip the Bucs were the more aggressive team. The team that played harder, gave more effort, and got more loose balls. At halftime Monroe faithful informed Valdez coaches that their players looked “hungry”. After the game Monroe coaches stated the Valdez players played harder than theirs all game long.
That effort, noticed by Valdez supporters and opposing fans, was most evident on the defensive end – where the Bucs shined as a unit from the start. On Friday Monroe scored 23 points in the first quarter. On Saturday the Bucs led 10-7 after the first quarter, and 20-13 at halftime.
In the second half the fight was on, with scoring at a premium and intensity ratcheted up another notch. Each team kept exchanging quality stops and timely baskets. Valdez held a 30-25 lead entering the fourth quarter, which was shaved to 3 points (36-33) with :33 remaining in the game and Payton Gage at the line in a bonus situation. Prior to fouling, Monroe coaches could be heard informing their players that Valdez is “50% for the year”. Perhaps this recap has readers outside of Valdez supporters?
At any rate, they are correct – 50% for the year, and for the game. A Gage miss on the front- end led to a Monroe rebound. An old man move, poke check reach-around-from-behind, defensive gamble on the other end allowed a Monroe guard to penetrate the lane, where another Valdez defender had fallen and while, splayed out on the floor, fouled the Ram as he made a layup.
Monroe went to the line with an opportunity to tie the score with :24 seconds in the game. Free throw converted. Tie game.
Once across mid-court the Bucs worked the clock for a few passes and then Gage came off of a high ball screen on the right wing, where he was able to accelerate past his defender and penetrate into the lane. Two Monroe defenders came to help and forced Gage into a contested errant layup, but he was able to rebound his own attempt on the other side of the rim and dribble out to the corner.
With about 6 seconds remaining in the game Gage launched a contested 3-point attempt that was off the mark long- not hitting any iron but gently grazing the backboard at a fortuitous angle. Hunter Mathews came crashing from the off-side baseline, slipped between two defenders, batted the ball into the air, and gathered and shot without coming back down. Bucs up 2 with 1.9 seconds and the Rams inbounding.
After an inadvertent whistle by the officials and consecutive, alternating timeouts by the opposing coaches, Monroe attempted a baseball-style inbound pass that was a bit wide and forced the receiving Ram out of bounds. Valdez ball. Valdez victory.
For many Buc players it was their first victory against Monroe, nevermind Boileau Hall – which is a tough venue to win in. For all the Buc players that entered the game, it was their final high school game in that gym, and they ended it in fine fashion.
The Bucs made more 3-pointers (4) in the game, had more second chance points, more points in the paint, outrebounded the Rams, had more assists, and had fewer turnovers and more steals than the home team.
Bryce Tucker led Valdez with 15 points, followed by Allen Watson with 10 and Payton Gage with 9. Dennis Mott only netted 2 points, but corralled 10 rebounds. Hunter Mathews was the only other Buccaneer to score – and that was the go ahead put-back basket with less than 2 seconds remaining.
Notes:
The pair of victories against the Hutchison Hawks secured a regular-season Aurora Conference championship and #1 seed in the Aurora Conference tournament in Valdez on March 10th.
Next Game:
Regular season action concludes this weekend as the Buccaneers take on Aurora Conference foes Delta Junction Huskies on Friday and Saturday evening [March 4th and 5th].
Girls Varsity Basketball
Girls Varsity Basketball
Away Games vs Hutchison & Monroe
Mya Christofferson, Photo by Joe Prax
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Valdez Girls had a very busy week. On Wednesday, the Varsity and JV teams traveled to Fairbanks to play make-up games with Hutchison, and then a weekend of games against Monroe.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 (Valdez 42 –Hutchison 28)
The girls got off to a slow start against Hutchison after a long bus ride. Ahead by only 2 points after the first quarter, the girls were able to stretch out their lead to 3 points at half time! With some half-time adjustments and a more intense defense, the girls held Hutchison scoreless in the fourth quarter and won the game 42-28. Kylie Gilbert lead all scorers with 17 points, Lily Brown had 14 points, Lucy Selanoff had 5 points, Kelsey Prax had 4 points, and Katarina Taylor had 2 points. Ambrosia Woodgate had 11 rebounds for the game which was a season high for anyone on the team this year!
Thursday, February 24, 2022 (Valdez 35-Hutchison 21)
The girls got off to a better start on Thursday’s game, leading 21-14 at halftime. In the 3 rd quarter the Valdez defense stepped up and held Hutchison to only one field goal. The final score of the game was 35-21. Everyone scored in the game: Kylie Gilbert had 7 points and 5 steals; Lucy Selanoff had 5 point and 4 rebounds; Carsyn Hinkle, Mya Christoffersen, Katarina Taylor, and Carlie Vanbuskirk each had 4 points; Lily Brown had 3 points; Ambrosia Woodgate and Kelsey Prax each had 2 points. Ambrosia Woodgate had 8 rebounds and Katarina Taylor
had 7 rebounds, and Carsyn Hinkle had 4 assists and 4 steals.
Friday, February 25, 2022 (Valdez 34-Monroe 54)
The Valdez girls finally got to play their Region rivals, the Monroe Rams. Monroe and Valdez girls are both undefeated in Region play, so this game was a meeting of the top two girls’ teams in the Aurora Conference. Monore is a much taller and very physical team, and is ranked 6 th amongst all the girls’ teams in the State. The Valdez girls stepped up to the challenge! They battled hard for rebounds and got the Monroe team frustrated on offense. Monroe won each quarter, but the Valdez girls were in the game until the very end. The final score was 34-54, but the players and coaches felt good about the game and the intense team effort that went into the game. Kylie Gilbert had 16 points, Carsyn Hinkle had 10 points, Carlie Vanbuskirk had 4 points, and Ambrosia Woodgate and Kat Taylor each had 2 points. Ambrosia Woodgate and Lucy Selanoff had 5 rebounds each, out hustling the much taller Monroe girls to earn each rebound.
Carlie VanBuskirk, Photo by Joe Prax
Saturday, February 26, 2022 (Valdez 35-Monroe 43)
On Saturday, the Valdez girls decided to step up their game another notch! At the end of the first quarter Valdez was ahead 14-9. Monroe came roaring back in the second quarter and lead the game 27-19 at half time. The third quarter was a back and forth battle with each team only able to score 8 points. In the 4 th quarter, Valdez was able to outscore Monroe, but not enough to make up the deficit. The final score of a very good intense game was 35-43. It was a loss for the Valdez girls, but felt like a win with holding Monroe to only 43 points and playing, as a team, against a tough opponent.
Katarina Taylor had 8 points, Kylie Gilbert had 7 points, Carsyn Hinkle had 6 points, Lucy Selanoff had 5 points, Ambrosia Woodgate and Kelsey Prax had 4 points each, and Carlie VanBuskirk had 1 point.
Katarina Taylor had her best game of the season, crashing the boards and making some key baskets. Carsyn Hinkle took 2 charges and with her drives to the basket, got the Monroe team in some foul trouble. It was a great team effort and the teams’ best game of the season.
The Valdez girls will hit the gym this week to prepare for a set of home games against Delta and then Regionals in Valdez on March 10, 11, and 12.
JV Boys Basketball
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Valdez JV Buccaneers got another taste of game action this weekend with an extended four game road trip to frigid Fairbanks.
Making up for last weekend’s cancellation, Valdez first matchup of the week was against the Hutchison Hawks.
As might be expected coming off a 6am departure time and an exhausting 9 hour bus ride, Valdez had to shake off some rust.
Both teams seemed to start off sluggish, but Valdez able to create a short early lead due to some good tough defense holding on to 14-8 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Hutchison managed to cut Valdez’s lead to only four due to some careless turnovers.
In the fourth quarter, Valdez hunkered down and played some smart basketball. Getting the Hawks into foul trouble and good free throw shooting helped the Bucs finish the quarter strongly and they managed to hold onto a 31-25 victory. It was a well fought, gritty win.
Thursday Valdez looked to build on their win from the previous day. With some proper adjustments and a new sense of urgency the Bucs came out firing on all cylinders and jumped out to a 20-4 first quarter lead.
From there on, Valdez continued to play tough defense and coasted to an easy 50-24 win. The high scorer for the game was Jarrett Gage with 17.
For the second half of the 4 game road trip, the Bucs faced the Monroe Rams. A well coached and highly disciplined team, Valdez would have their work cut out for them.
The games Friday and Saturday were a little different, consisting of two 10 minute halves instead of the usual four-quarter format.
In game one Valdez and Monroe both came out ready to battle. Both teams were playing well on offense and the first half ended with a 19-15 lead for Valdez. In the second half, both teams continued to battle but Monroe had a hot shooting stretch to take enough of a lead that Valdez was not able to recover from resulting in an overall losing effort to the Rams: 33-38.
Saturday the Bucs had a shot at redemption. With some proper planning and some new game adjustments, Valdez came out ready to battle from the jump. A patient offense and great rebounding allowed Valdez to hold on to a one point halftime lead: 12-11.
In the second half Valdez continued to play smart, patient basketball as both teams battled. The Bucs managed to extend their lead to seven with less than two minutes remaining. However the poise and aggressiveness of Monroe’s defense earned them a few quick steals that they were able to convert into a five point run with nearly 30 seconds remaining.
Valdez managed to hold strong and eventually Monroe had no choice but to force Valdez to the free throw line and the Bucs earned a hard fought win 32-30.
The JV boys are now 6-3 on the season and have their final games next weekend at home versus the Delta Huskies, as well as an intersquad JV scrimmage Thursday night.