VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [January 6 & 7]
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Bucs played their first home game of the season, and inaugural games of the calendar year, as they hosted Aurora Conference foes Eielson Ravens on Friday and Saturday.
If you are a fan that enjoys watching sporting events in which the results of the contest are foregone conclusions early on, these were the games for you. All eight games (JV and Varsity for both Boys and Girls) resulted in a running clock – a result of the Bucs establishing at least a 40-point advantage in each contest.
Friday, January 6th: Valdez 71, Eielson 24
As the final score suggests, the Bucs dominated Friday’s game from the onset – spurred by a suffocating defensive effort that forced the Ravens into 22 turnovers. To start the game, the Bucs deployed a half-court trapping defense that overwhelmed the Ravens and resulted in a remarkable 39 defensive deflections, including more kicked balls than an Argentina-France penalty kick shootout.
The Bucs never trailed in the game, establishing a 23-5 first quarter advantage and entering halftime with the score 41-15. Much of the second half was played with a running clock, and the Bucs played straight man-to-man defense throughout. Even so, the Bucs scored 30 points in the second half while only yielding 9 as they cruised to a dominant 71-24 victory.
All 12 rostered Buccaneers played in the game and registered a recordable stat. The Buccaneers were led in scoring by Bryce Tucker and Payton Gage, who netted 21 points and 17 points, respectively. Hunter Mathews was the other Buccaneer scoring in double figures, netting 10.
Payton Gage also recorded a charge taken.
Saturday, December 7th: Valdez 75, Eielson 19
The Bucs’ stated goals for the matinee contest on Saturday were: reduce the amount of turnovers they had the night before (14), while holding Eielson to fewer points scored (24). Ultimately, both goals would be attained.
Early on, Saturday’s game script was similar to that of the previous night, as the Bucs jumped out to a 23-9 lead in the first quarter due to their defensive pressure. By intermission, the margin had increased to a 45-13 Buccaneer advantage. Again, the majority of the second half was played with a running clock, with the Buccaneers deploying a man-to-man defense. During that time, the Bucs outscored the Ravens 30-6 en route to a 75-19 win.
All 12 rostered Buccaneers entered the game and registered a recordable stat. Five Bucs scored in double-figures, led by Payton Gage (18 points) and Bryce Tucker (12 points). Dillon Fowler recorded 11 points, while Tino Tucker and Allen Watson each chipped in 10.
Notes:
For the 2-game set against the Ravens, the Bucs shot over 50% from the field, over 30% behind the arc, and 70% from the free-throw line. Defensively, they registered 45 deflections and 40 steals.
With the wins over the weekend, the Bucs’ record stands at 4-0, with an average margin of victory of 45.5 points per game. For the year thus far, the Bucs have scored 272 points (68 points per game average), while yielding 90 points (a 22.5 point per game average).
Upcoming games:
The Bucs next travel to Nikiski to participate in the 34th annual Rus Hitchcock Tip-Off Tournament January 12th – 14th. The round-robin style tournament will feature the host Nikiski Bulldogs, as well as the Homer Mariners and Kotzebue Huskies.