Boys Basketball
2022 3A Boys Basketball State Championship [March 23rd-26th]
Payton Gage, Photo by Justin Prax
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – March Madness, indeed. While NCAA brackets were getting busted nationwide this weekend, a similar (albeit smaller and, presumably, less bet-upon) scene played out for a select number of high school teams at the Alaska Airlines Center. All told, a total of 32 Class 3A and 4A teams traveled to Anchorage to vie for a state championship in their respective classifications. For the 3A Boys, the teams that earned their right to compete were: #1 Houston Hawks, #2 Grace Christian Grizzlies, #3 Valdez Buccaneers, #4 Nome Nanooks, #5 Hutchison Hawks, #6 Homer
Mariners, #7 Barrow Whalers, and #8 Mt. Edgecumbe Braves.
The Buccaneers learned of their seeding, matchup, and game time the previous Sunday during the ASAA selection show. With the new format this year, the tournament began on Wednesday, as opposed to Thursday – meaning that departure from Valdez occurred on Tuesday morning to allow for a short practice at ACS before any scheduled events.
If the Bucs coaches thought they’d be able to slink out of town quietly, they were mistaken. Tuesday morning at VHS featured multiple photo opportunities, swag bags befitting Oscar nominees, and a sendoff from students, parents, and Valdez City Schools staff and administrators. The boys team, clad in newly-acquired customized Buccaneer blue flannel pajama pants and neon sunglasses did not seem to mind the attention and red carpet send-off.
Buccaneer Boys Basketball, Photo by Justin Prax
Wednesday, March 23rd, 11:00 Quarter Final: Valdez Buccaneers 52, Homer Mariners 49
The #3 Bucs found themselves seeded on the bottom half of the bracket and with a first round matchup against the #6 seeded Homer Mariners, who earned their berth (the first in 27 years) to the state tournament by finishing second in the Peninsula Conference regional tournament.
While Homer has not been to State the better part of 3 decades, the Bucs were in the
championship game in 2019. However; no Buccaneer player on the roster had been to State before, as the last two years were canceled by COVID. This was immediately apparent based upon the team’s reaction to the arena and court. In an unfamiliar environment, it’s expected that perimeter shooting will suffer. Defense, however, should not be impacted. This was a point hammered into the Bucs prior to the game. Unfortunately, it failed to resonate.
The Bucs were repeatedly outworked throughout the game and uncharacteristically gave up second chance points and interior baskets -allowing Homer to shoot 58% from two-point territory. Meanwhile, their perimeter shooting predictably suffered (to the tune of 33% combined shooting). Those factors contributed to a game that was much more closely contested than anybody donned in black and blue anticipated.
The Bucs found themselves trailing 13-12 at the end of the first quarter and limped into halftime with a 28-23 lead. The second half featured two quarters that saw the Mariners come out on top 13-12 each quarter. Fortunately for the Bucs, they were able to avoid the first round upset by securing a 52-49 following a pair of Payton Gage free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining.
The entire situation elicited flashbacks of the Ninilchik game – which proved to be a good
learning experience, as the Bucs did not yield a quality look at a potential game tying 3-point attempt this time, with an errant Mariner pass falling harmlessly into Dillon Fowler’s hands.
Payton Gage led the Bucs in scoring with 15 points, followed by Bryce Tucker with 12. Dennis Mott had a minimal impact in the scoring column (4 points), but contributed by registering 14 rebounds – including 11 offensive boards. Allen Watson was the catalyst for the Bucs, having a quality all-around game (10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 deflections, and 5 steals). Watson was also named Player of the Game.
Dennis Mott, Photo by Justin Prax
Thursday, March 24th, 7:45 Semi Finals: Valdez Buccaneers 36, Grace Christian 51
The first-round victory ensured a semi-final matchup against Grace Christian, the winners of the Peninsula Conference regular season and conference tournament. The Grizzlies entered State as the #2 overall seed. They also sported a partisan home crowd, and the game against the Bucs happened to fall on head coach Boerger’s birthday. Additionally, the Grizzlies fielded a starting lineup that outsized the Bucs at every position- sans one.
With the odds stacked against them, the Bucs went into the game needing a quality team effort and aggressive play attacking the core of the vaunted 2-3 zone that the Grizzlies are known for. Unfortunately for the Bucs, the shooting woes from the night before continued. The length and size of Grace Christian seemed to bother Valdez, who shot a paltry 26.5% from the field for the game, while Grace Christian was able to convert 43% of the time.
The game was competitive throughout. Despite last holding the lead at 8-6, the Bucs were
within a possession or two throughout most of the contest [22-15 at the half, 27-35 after the third quarter] until they employed the Hack-a-Shaq method towards the end of the fourth quarter, which allowed Grace to extend their lead and salt away a 51-36 victory.
The Bucs failed to win any quarter of the contest and were outrebounded 36-24. Statistically speaking, the Bucs were even or on the positive side of other categories (turnovers, free throw percentage, deflections, steals). The primary difference was in shooting, as noted earlier.
Allen Watson led the team in scoring with 9 points, followed by Bryce Tucker and Dennis Mott with 8 apiece. Dennis Mott also snatched 8 rebounds and was named Player of the Game.
Saturday, March 26th, 10:30 3rd Place Game: Valdez Buccaneers 54, Houston Hawks 48
Under the new format this year, those 3A teams that won their first-round matchups were rewarded with a day off (Friday). While I’m sure there are numerous cultural events, educational opportunities, and team-building opportunities in Anchorage, have you ever tried to get 13 teenage boys to agree on or commit to something? With that in mind, the “team building” event on Friday consisted of lunch at Benihana and then a lot of downtime in which players could recuperate prior to the 3rd place game – which featured a rematch against the Houston Hawks.
The Hawks entered State undefeated and the overall #1 seed. The Hawks and Bucs previously faced off in the Elks Tournament championship matchup, in which the Hawks emerged victorious [65-46]. With some familiarity, the Bucs knew that they needed to limit their live-ball turnovers and to hold the Hawks to one shot on the offensive end.
Those that endured the early 10:30 start time were treated to an entertaining and exciting game. Please do not confuse that with a “well played” game, as the game featured 34 turnovers (20 by the Bucs – many of them unforced), and 28 personal fouls. Unlike the previous two games, though, the Bucs converted at a very high rate (43% and 5-for-8 from long distance) while the opposing team struggled at a staggering rate, shooting 5-for-29 behind the arc.
The first quarter saw the teams knotted at 15 each. From that point on, the Bucs won every quarter, taking a 28-25 lead into the intermission despite subpar play and a spate of ridiculous turnovers near the end of the first half. The Bucs were able to extend their lead in the third, taking a 39-34 lead into the final stanza. The Bucs won that quarter 16-14 and were able to secure a 54-48 victory to earn 3rd place at State – ironically on the back of solid free throw shooting in the clutch.
Payton Gage led the Bucs in scoring with a quiet, and efficient, 27 points on 8-for-12 shooting (including 4-of-6 from deep). Allen Watson pumped in 11 points while grabbing 7 rebounds. Payton Gage was named Player of the Game as the Bucs exacted revenge against the Houston Hawks.
Allen Watson, Photo by Justin Prax
Awards:
In addition to the State tournament, the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches All-State Awards were announced over the weekend. Payton Gage was nominated to First Team, while Bryce Tucker was named a Third Team member.
In preparation for State, coaches are asked to nominate two team members that embody good sportsmanship. Unlike previous years, the recipients were not publicly announced after each game. Disappointing, but -as the boys have been told all season- we worry about what we can control. The 2022 Valdez Buccaneer representatives for Good Sportsmanship were Nick Alfaro and Gavin Morris. While the coaching staff believes we have a group of genuinely good and well intentioned kids, these two individuals set themselves apart for their daily conduct on and off the court. Congratulations Nick and Gavin.
After the conclusion of the 3A Boys championship game, individual and team awards were announced for the tournament. Allen Watson and Payton Gage each were named to the All Tournament Team.
Notes:
● There are a handful of Buc players that get recognition throughout the year- both in the
various aforementioned awards and in this column. What goes unnoticed to those
outside of the Buccaneer program, however, are the remaining players that are tasked
each and every day in practice to push the others so that they can improve. Knowing
that their playing time will likely be limited, they truly have the toughest and most
thankless task throughout the year. Add to that the fact that three of them are younger
siblings of the starting five and you have a whole new layer to the already difficult
dynamic.
The accomplishments of the 2022 Buccaneers would not have been possible without the
daily contributions of the following Bucs (in no particular order): Nick Alfaro, Hunter
Mathews, Zachary Rissman, Owen Watson, Tino Tucker, Gavin Morris, and Jarrett
Gage.
● The Bucs return 10 of 12 rostered players next year and are the Aurora Conference
favorites again according to the most recent poll – which has one participant thus far.
● A heartfelt thank you to the two Buccaneers that will be moving on next year –
roommates Dennis Mott (the lone Senior) and Zachary Rissman, who will be taking his
talents to South Carolina.
● The 2021-2022 season, despite falling short of a State championship, was a successful
one overall. In addition to the bonds formed and the memories created, the Bucs
season resulted in some changes to the Buc Boys Record Board.
The 2021-2022 Buccaneers added to the 20+ win column of the record board and now
hold the record for fewest points per game allowed in a season, at 42.26 ppg.
Payton Gage set the record for most 3-pointers in a season with 53 made 3-point FG.
“Big D” (Dennis Mott) set the single game and single season record for rebounds, at 17
(vs. Metlakatla) and 208, respectively.
Allen Watson tied – or broke- the record for charges taken in a game (3, or 4, vs.
Ketchikan) and most charges taken in a season (14)………upon further review.
Jaimie Crisp and Bailey Gittins, Photo by Justin Prax
Girls Basketball
Valdez High Schools Girls Basketball
“State Basketball Results”
Katarina Taylor, Photo by Justin Prax
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Valdez Girls qualified for the State Tournament by finishing second in the Regional Tournament. The State then seeded Valdez in 8th place, which matched the girls against Region opponent, the Monroe Rams in the first round of games.
Wednesday: Valdez Girls vs Monroe (21-36)
The girls really stepped up their defense in this game and held Monroe to their lowest scoring game of the season. However, the Valdez offense stalled under the intense physical pressure from Monroe. Carsyn Hinkle, Ambrosia Woodgate, and Katarina
Taylor each had 6 points and Lucy Selanoff added 3 points.
Kelsey Prax suffered an ankle sprain early in the game and was forced to sit out the rest
of the Tournament.
Kylie Gilbert was named Player of the Game
Thursday: Valdez Girls vs Kenai (49-44) Overtime Win
The Lady Bucs second game of the Tournament placed them against the Kenai
Cardinals. The girls got off to a quick start and lead the game 18-15 at half time. Then
Kenai battled back to be up by two points at the end of the third quarter. There was a
see saw battle back and forth and the game was tied 38-38 at the end of regulation
time. In overtime, the Buc offense got on track with Kylie Gilbert scoring 8 points.
It was a great team win that was hard fought by both teams. Kylie Gilbert had 18 points,
Carsyn Hinkle had 15 points, Katarina Taylor had 6 points, Lucy Selanoff had 5 points,
and Carlie VanBuskirk had 4 points.
Carsyn Hinkle was named Player of the Game
Kylie Fletcher Gilbert, Photo by Justin Prax
Friday: Valdez Girls vs Redington (21-47)
On Friday morning the girls played Redington for 4 th or 6 th place. Offensively the team
struggled once again. Redingon’s 3A Girls Player of the Year, Lexi Seymore, proved to
be a lot to handle as she scored 20 points in the game. Kylie Gilbert had 8 points,
Katarina Taylor had 6 points, Carsyn Hinkle had 5 points and Lily Brown had 2 points.
Ambrosia Woodgate was named Player of the Game
State All-Tournament Team: Kylie Gilbert
The Lady Bucs had a good season, placing 2nd at Regionals and 6th at State. The
girls improved their individual skills and really developed as a team. A special thank
you to Dan Eide for coming to help the team this season!