Girls Varsity Basketball
“Home Games vs Delta”
Mya Christofferson and Carsyn Hinkle, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Friday, March 4, 2022: (Valdez 41 –Delta 18)
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The girls got out to a quick start on Friday, outscoring Delta 15-3 in the first quarter. Carsyn Hinkle lead the offense in the first half scoring 8 of her 9 points before half time. The offense slowed in the second half of the game, but the Valdez defense had a strong performance. Ambrosia Woodgate
held Delta’s main scorer to a single 3 point shot for the game. Kylie Gilbert lead all scorers with 10 points and 9 steals, Carsyn Hinkle had 9 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals, Ambrosia Woodgate had 7 points and 5 rebounds, Kat Taylor had 6 points, Mya Christoffersen had 3 points, Kelsey Prax had 3 points and 6 steals, and Lily Brown had 1 point.
VHS going for the ball, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Saturday, March 5, 2022: (Valdez 29- Delta 13)
It was a very emotional night for the team, as it was Senior Recognition Night for the teams 5 seniors! Kali Petersen dressed out with the team and got some time on the court, as a player instead of a manager! The girls had a very slow start, with only 2 points in the first quarter. But once again, strong defensive pressure held the Delta team to only 13 points for the game while Valdez managed to get on track with their offense and scored 29 points. Kylie Gilbert had 7 points, Kelsey Prax had 6 points, Ambrosia Woodgate had 5 points, Kat Taylor had 4 points, Carlie VanBuskirk had 3 points, and Carsyn Hinkle and Lucy Selanoff had 2 points each.
This week it’s the Aurora Conference Regional Basketball Tournament in Valdez on March 10 – 12.
The Valdez Girls will play on Thursday, March 10 at 8:30 pm. Our opponent to be determined!
Boys Varsity Basketball
VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [March 4th and 5th]
Dennis Mott holding onto the ball, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The 2021-2022 regular season concluded this past weekend. A pair of Valdez victories over the visiting Delta Huskies improved the Buccaneers’ record to 18-4 overall, and undefeated (8-0) in the Aurora Conference. They enter the Aurora Conference tournament as the #1 seed and will square off against the winner of the #4 (Eielson Ravens) / # 5 (Galena Hawks) matchup Thursday, March 10th, at 5:30 in the Valdez High School gym.
Friday, March 4th: Valdez 64, Delta Junction 28
The Bucs wasted no time establishing their dominance on Friday night against the outmatched Delta Huskies. Aggressive on offense and stifling in their half-court trapping defense, the Bucs raced out to an early 41-6 halftime lead while forcing the Huskies into 17 first half turnovers.
With everything pretty much going their way, the Bucs came out of half with a set play to get the man in the middle (Dennis Mott) an opportunity for an open three-point shot. Over the course of the many practices this season, Mott has endured countless perimeter shooting drills – honing his form for a moment such as this.
It was Buccaneer ball coming out of intermission, so the formation was set. Gage took the inbound pass and dribbled to the right wing. Mott, positioned on the right block, set a screen for Tucker on the left block and then came streaking through an elevator screen set by Fowler and Watson. Gage delivered the ball to Mott at the top of the arc. Mott gathered, elevated, and released a high-arcing shot that found nothing but net. At least that is how the story will be told from this point forward.
The crowd and modest, but boisterous, student section erupted in celebration. As did the normally stoic Mott, raising his arms above his head as he rumbled back on defense.
The Bucs were not quite as sharp the remainder of the second half, yielding too many Husky offensive rebounds and committing too many turnovers. However, the two teams played largely even throughout the half and the Bucs easily secured a 64-28 victory.
All eleven Bucs that suited up for the game saw action, contributed statistically, and recorded at least one rebound. Bryce Tucker led the Bucs in scoring with 19, followed by Payton Gage with 10. Dennis Mott, Zach Rissman, and Tino Tucker each netted 8. Mott also grabbed 7 rebounds and now leads the Bucs in 3-point shooting percentage for the season.
Payton Gage goes to the basket, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Saturday, March 5th: Valdez 94, Delta Junction 50
Saturday was Senior Night and the final regular-season home game for the lone senior (Mott). To honor his wishes, the Bucs wore their alternate blue uniforms for the first time all season.
The game began much the same way as the contest on Friday, with the Bucs scoring at will in the first quarter and establishing an early lead. However, the Huskies came into Saturday’s game with more energy and a readily-apparent determination that enabled them to score more frequently. At the end of the first quarter the Bucs held a 23-10 lead.
In the second quarter the Huskies established an offensive rhythm and even began to seize momentum, outscoring the Bucs 15-11 in the stanza. Whereas Friday’s halftime margin was an insurmountable 35 points, the Saturday score was 34-25 – a mere 9 point Buccaneer advantage. The Huskies were nothing short of jubilant with their efforts as they entered the locker room.
The Buccaneer locker room, on the other hand, was not in a celebratory mood. There was no Hollywood-style clipboard smashing, furniture breaking, impassioned speech by the coaching staff. Rather, a very pointed statement that the Buccaneers were getting out-worked, out- hustled, had deviated from doing things that they had practiced, and the product they put on the court the first half was subpar and unacceptable. Additionally, they were challenged to go out in the second half and remedy the issue.
They responded. Every single one of them.
The Buccaneers orchestrated an offensive onslaught unlike any other all season – posting 37 points in the third quarter and 60 points overall in a mercy-rule shortened second half- en route to their highest offensive output of the season. The scoring was led by a barrage of 3’s from the Bucs, who made 9 of 12 attempts from long range in the second half alone and shot 61% (11- of-18) for the game. The Bucs also dominated the paint, outscoring the Huskies 44-24 in that area, and converted at a higher-than-normal rate from the free throw line (11/15, 73%).
Defensively the Bucs recorded 16 steals and 13 deflections as they forced Delta into 28 turnovers, which resulted in 33 Buccaneer points.
All 12 rostered Bucs entered the game and scored – 5 of them doing so behind the arc. Bryce Tucker and Payton Gage led the Bucs in scoring with 22 apiece and shot a combined 8-for-11 from deep. Dennis Mott was the only other Buccaneer in double figures, with 17 points. Mott also led the team in rebounds (6) – along with Allen Watson- and fouls (5).
Valdez Cheerleaders, Photo courtesy of Joe Prax
Boys JV Basketball
Valdez JV Boys Vs. Delta JV
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – This weekend the Valdez JV Buccaneers played their both their first home games, as well as their final regular season games of the season against the Delta Huskies.
In the first game, Valdez came out ready to play and really put on the defensive pressure to quickly jump out to a 19-4 first quarter lead. By halftime the lead had ballooned to a 34-7 lead and the Bucs continued their dominance to end the win with a final score 52-26. The high scorers for the game were Jarrett Gage and Gavin Morris with 13 and 14 respectively.
On Saturday, Valdez looked to ride out their season on a positive note. Delta came out in the first quarter aggressive and redounded the ball well which put some pressure on Valdez. Sloppy on both sides of the ball, Valdez still managed to cling to a 10-5 lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, The Bucs turned on the intensity and were able to extend their lead to head into the half 32-13.
The Huskies came out motivated in the third quarter and played well on both offense and defense. Much like in the first quarter, their rebounding was the key for them as they outscored Valdez 15-12 in the third.
From there on out, Valdez turned back on the intensity and were able to put out their highest scoring quarter of the weekend in what would end as a 66-33 win.
The high scorers for the game were Gavin Morris with 18, Jarrett Gage with 12, Tino Tucker with 10 and Connor Julius with 8.
The JV Bucs ended a very successful season with a record of 8-3, and look forward to cheering on the Varsity guys as their season continues with regionals and state in the coming weeks.