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Buc Basketball: Varsity Boys compete against Huskies

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VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [March 3 & 4]

The Buccaneers headed to Delta Junction this past weekend to take on their Aurora Conference foes for the last two games of the 2022-2023 regular season. Both the Bucs and the Huskies entered the weekend contests undefeated in Aurora Conference play; the two-game stint served to not only crown the regular season champion but also to determine the seeding entering next week’s Aurora Conference Regional Tournament.

Having played their final home game of the season the weekend prior, the Buc Seniors now face a string of “finals” moments. Final Aurora Conference game, final Regional Tournament, final State Tournament, final high school game, etc. Another final they experienced this weekend was the final charter ride for a basketball trip (both Regionals and States will feature transit vans). Having covered a number of miles, and spent numerous hours in a charter bus this season, it was evident that this particular motorcoach was an older model. The small, prison-like overhead televisions and lack of outlets in each seat to charge electronic devices dated the motorcoach and presented the Bucs with some first-world problems during transit.

Friday, March 3rd: Valdez 80, Delta Junction 67

Friday night, immediately prior to the boys game, was Senior Recognition for the hometown Delta Huskies. In addition to recognizing their seven Seniors (six of which are guys), Delta also recognized the nine Valdez Seniors by providing the girls with a single yellow rose tinted in Delta green, and the boys with bags of candy.

Once the game began the Bucs wasted no time in exerting their will and establishing control of the game, shooting 10-of-17 from the field in the opening frame and forcing Delta into 12 turnovers as they galloped out to a 24-7 first quarter lead. The second quarter was much the same, as the Bucs continued their pressure defense and offensive production en route to a 43- 19 lead at the intermission.

While the locker room (aka Mr. Adams’ classroom) was celebratory, the message delivered by the coaching staff was to come out with the same intensity and focus in the second half and not let the notoriously scrappy Huskies back into the game, or even think that they have the ability to play with the Bucs. In direct contrast to the coaches message, the Bucs apparently elected to forgo the second half and go on Spring Break.

The team that took the court in the second half was not the same one that sprinted out of the gym before halftime. Instead, a lackluster and unfocused effort in the third quarter allowed the Huskies to outscore the Bucs 24-15, close the gap to 15 points, and enter the final stanza with momentum and confidence. More to the point, the Bucs allowed the desperate, physical, frenetic pace that Delta played with to impact their approach and level headedness.

The Huskies played with much more intensity and passion, ultimately closing the gap to a mere three possession game (8 points) midway through the fourth quarter. The Bucs were sent to the free-throw line repeatedly and were hitting at a high percentage (15 of 19), able to limp away with an 80-67 win that felt more like a defeat due to the second half performance of the Bucs.

All Buccaneers entered the contest and contributed statistically. Four Buccaneers scored in double figures. Bryce Tucker led with 19, followed by Payton Gage with 17. Owen Watson and Dillon Fowler chipped in 11 and 10, respectively.

As a team, the Bucs forced 28 turnovers – but committed 21 of their own. Despite the frenzied, near out-of-control action, not a single Buccaneer drew an offensive foul.

Saturday, March 4th: Valdez 86, Delta Junction 44

The challenge presented to the players the following night was simple: (1) Put together an entire game of solid defense, focus, and intensity, (2) Hold the Huskies to 35 points or less, and (3) Leave no doubt the Huskies are incapable of winning this game, or any future games this year. Essentially, dominate in a fashion that eradicates any confidence or belief the Huskies built up the night before.

And, did the Bucs ever respond. To paraphrase the Delta Wind’s own Tim Holoday, Delta went through their warmup routine very skillfully and handily hitting basket after basket, but once the
game started, the skill that the Huskies were exhibiting during the warmup evaporated. Meanwhile, the Bucs slid right from their warmup routine into a perfectly honed precision blade that sliced through the Huskies’ defense. Ultimately, resulting in a resounding 86-44 victory.

The Bucs dominated in every aspect of the game and put together as flawless a performance as can be expected at the Varsity level. The swarming Buccaneer defense made one wonder at times if they were playing with an extra man. As a team, they recorded 31 deflections and 24 steals, forcing 30 turnovers while committing a mere 10 of their own. The Bucs registered a remarkable 62 points in the paint and averaged 1.25 points per possession. For any stat geeks making it this far through the column, the VPS (Value Point System) posted by the Buccaneers on Saturday night was off the charts. A VPS of 1.00 is about average. For the game the Buccaneers posted an astronomical 2.4 VPS.

The impressive performance was a true team effort, as all nine of the rostered and eligible Buccaneers played and contributed statistically. Four Buccaneers scored in double figures. Bryce Tucker led the way with 21 points, followed by Payton Gage with 20 (it would have been 22 but for a missed left handed dunk in a half-court set that was thissssss close). Nick Alfaro and Tino Tucker each had season highs in scoring, with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The defensive effort was led by Tino Tucker, starting at the point of the press for the injured Fowler. Tino recorded a new single game record of 10 steals, which also gave him a double- double. Payton Gage and Grayson Ade each successfully drew an offensive foul.

Upcoming games:

The Buccaneers get a brief respite here in the banana belt of Alaska before heading to cold and windy Delta Junction on Thursday for the Aurora Conference Regional Tournament. The two wins secured Valdez’s number one seed and initial bye. The Bucs, the overwhelming favorites to win the Regional Tournament, will take on the winner of the #4 and #5 seed on Thursday evening as the Seniors will get to check another “final” off of their list.

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